FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
December 18, 2018
Contact
Lindsey Mendelson Lindsey.Mendelson@mdsierra.org 240-287-9771
David Smedick David.Smedick@mdsierra.org 301-277-7111
TRANSPORTATION ADVOCATES COMMEND MARYLAND’S PARTICIPATION IN DEVELOPMENT OF REGIONAL PROGRAM TO MODERNIZE TRANSPORTATION AND REDUCE VEHICLE POLLUTION
WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 18, 2018) – Environmental, transportation, health, labor, and community organizations supporting modern, clean, equitable, and low-climate pollution transportation celebrated an announcement today from Maryland, 8 other Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states, and Washington, D.C. to move forward with a regional clean transportation initiative.
These 10 members of the Transportation & Climate Initiative (TCI) will now transition from a year-long public comment phase, which engaged communities, businesses, and stakeholders across the region, to begin crafting policies and programs to address their transportation challenges, improve mobility, provide more transportation options, and curb the largest source of pollution that contributes to climate change.
This summer, prior to a regional stakeholder session in Largo, Maryland, a diverse set of organizations signed onto a letter pressing Maryland public officials for a strong and specific commitment to formulate a regional transportation policy that would achieve, at minimum, a 40% reduction in the transportation sector pollution by 2030. Today’s announcement marks the next big step for Maryland and its neighboring states that pledged to begin development of a regional policy during the Bonn Climate Change Summit in November 2017. It paves the way for an improved transportation system, which with robust community input, could mean more clean cars and trucks, more reliable mass transit, more walkable and bikeable communities, and investments that connect everyone, including those in underserved and rural areas.
Quotes:
“We are thrilled to see Maryland move forward with a regional transportation program to cut the #1 source of climate pollution. With a strong input process, particularly with communities overburdened by transportation pollution and undeserved with our transportation system, we can build clean, equitable, and 21st century ways of getting around. We have already seen a bipartisan cap-and-invest program that has made major strides in reducing pollution and spurring energy efficiency and clean energy in the electricity sector. This program could mean a safer climate, more public transit, walkable and bikeable infrastructure and clean transit jobs for Marylanders.”- Josh Tulkin, Maryland Sierra Club
“A great transportation system keeps you and your environment healthy, but that’s not what we have today. TCI can be an important source of critically needed funding to improve cleaner, healthier types of transportation: buses, trains, biking and walking. We are encouraged that Maryland is part of this effort.” – Brian O’Malley, President & CEO, Central Maryland Transportation Alliance
"This is an exciting time to design a transportation system that is clean, sustainable, and equitable, and benefits all Marylanders. Low income communities and communities of color suffer disproportionately from air pollution that increases the risk of asthma, heart disease, infant mortality, and cancer in these communities. The opportunity of addressing these inequalities while providing transportation solutions will greatly improve the quality of life in these communities. Accessible and affordable housing, well-paying jobs, great schools, and a safe environment are all reasons why this is an opportunity that we cannot miss."- Ramon Palencia-Calvo, Director, Chispa Maryland, Maryland League of Conservation Voters
"The Baltimore Transit Equity Coalition urges MDE, MDOT,and MCCC to commit to adopting the goals of Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI), particularly an aggressive reduction in harmful pollutants emitted by the public transportation fleet, accompanied by increased use of renewable energy and completion of the Red Line light rail project which programs also provide congestion relief and equitable, economy-boosting transit-oriented-development that cannot be achieved by bus-focused transit and congestion-inducing, environmentally destructive highway expansion programs,” Samuel Jordan, president, Baltimore Transit Equity Coalition.
“Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1300, representing transit workers at Maryland MTA, is pleased that our state is stepping up to the plate on climate change. This coalition of nine states is filling a huge void created by our current president, who apparently doesn't believe in science and ignores the earth's quickly climbing temperatures. Expanding public transportation choices is the best way to control greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector. We are proud to play a role in this effort as we continue to move thousands of Maryland residents safely every day.” - David McClure President Business Agent ATU Local 1300.
“As an environmental health organization, we are cautiously optimistic about joint efforts to recognize the regional impact of local transportation on climate and health. According to US EPA, 27 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions come from transportation. We cannot afford to ignore man made threats to human health or to build solutions without the input of impacted communities who are disenfranchised by air pollution from fossil fueled cars and buses, exclusive highway systems, and related air and water pollution. Communities understand the issues and have a great deal to add to the process and we will work to ensure that everyone is listening.”- Tamara Toles O'Laughlin, executive director, Maryland Environmental Health Network
“The Transportation & Climate Initiative could have profound implications on preservation of our remaining open spaces, land that can serve as carbon sinks and protect our watersheds – hence the bay and oceans. Any program that prevents new highways or expanded highways prevents additional sprawl with associated increase in impervious surfaces.” - Frank Allen, President, Patuxent Tidewater Land Trust (PTLT)
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