FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tuesday, December 17, 2019
Contact:
Larisa Manescu, larisa.manescu@sierraclub.org
Lindsey Mendelson, lindsey.mendelson@mdsierra.org, 240-706-7901
Advocates Urge Maryland and Other states to Strengthen Proposal to Cut Transportation Pollution
NORTHEAST & MID-ATLANTIC – Today, Maryland, D.C. and 11 other Mid-Atlantic and Northeast states that are a part of the Transportation and Climate Initiative released a draft regional policy proposal to create a program that would reduce pollution from the transportation sector and invest in clean transportation solutions. The proposal calls for states to reduce emissions 20-25% by 2032. Dozens of organizations have urged states to reduce emissions at least 45% by 2032.
Sierra Club polling shows that nearly 3 in 4 voters in Maryland (74%) support a regional approach to modernizing our transportation sector and reducing pollution by investing in electric vehicles, public transportation and safer communities for walking and biking.
"Transportation is responsible for the largest source of climate-disrupting pollution in Maryland and the region. Maryland needs a regional agreement now to slash climate pollution and invest in communities overburdened by pollution and underserved by our transportation choices. However, this draft proposal must be strengthened to reduce transportation pollution at least 45% by 2032 and generate critical investments for our future.” - Lindsey Mendelson, Clean Transportation Representative for Maryland Sierra Club
“With its reliance on market forces, the TCI cap-and-invest project must be designed to produce emissions reductions in under-served communities surpassing the disappointing achievements of the market in areas such as affordable housing and healthcare.” - Samuel Jordan, Baltimore Transit Equity Coalition
"We ran out of time for half-solutions to the climate crisis long ago. While it's great news that Maryland is working with neighboring states to reduce transportation-based carbon pollution, the draft agreement announced today falls 50% short of the emissions we need to cut. If the Hogan Administration wants to truly walk the walk on climate, they need to work with other states to reach a stronger commitment. In addition, the Maryland Department of Environment should release a clear plan for using resources raised through TCI to significantly scale up public transportation and electric vehicle infrastructure." - Steven Hershkowitz, Maryland Director, Chesapeake Climate Action Network
“From 2021-2030, the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) states have agreed to reduce the program CO2 limit by 30%, building on the 47% CO2 reduction. We hope that Maryland will embrace its responsibility invest in communities with a sustainable future will materialize through TCI reductions in transportation pollution.” - Kamita Gray, Chief Officer, 2BridgeCDX
“Maryland can meet the pollution reduction targets we need to shape a better future for ourselves. If we invest in safer, more reliable walking, biking and transit options we can stop driving more every year, and begin making shorter trips by other modes. The reductions in congestion and pollution will benefit us all. - Brian O’Malley, President and CEO, Central Maryland Transportation Alliance
"It's a work in progress. States are still figuring out how to design this program in a way that meets the needs of the region's disproportionately impacted communities. That's why Green For All delivered a robust toolkit to states last week with detailed recommendations for how to do this right." - Michelle Romero, National Director of Green For All
Background: TCI is a regional collaboration of 12 Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states and the District of Columbia that seeks to improve transportation, reduce climate-disrupting emissions, and invest in transportation solutions accessible to all communities. A broad-based coalition of over 50 organizations support TCI regionally and in Maryland.The states will gather public input on the draft proposal over the course of the winter and are planning to reach a final agreement in spring 2020.