“Our Transportation Future” is Committed to Helping Shape a Final Model Rule with Focus on Enhanced Equity, Health, and Climate Benefits.WASHINGTON, DC – March 1, 2021 – The Our Transportation Future (OTF) coalition is encouraged by the Transportation & Climate Initiative Program (TCI-P) draft model rule, released today by 11 states and Washington, DC. The draft model rule follows the December commitment by Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and the District of Columbia to participate in the program to reduce harmful air-pollution and modernize transportation in the Eastern U.S., and an announcement by 8 other states (Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Virginia) that they are also considering the program.

First States Confirm Participation, More to Follow: Leading Environmental, Transit, Equity and Health Organizations Champion East Coast States for “Bold and Ambitious” Plan to Cut Pollution and Modernize the Transportation Sector

 Regional TCI Survey, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Virginia. 

Getting Essential Workers to Their Jobs Seen as No. 1 Priority, Followed by Cutting Pollution and Unsnarling Traffic; Voters Back Governors Engaged During COVID-19 Crisis in Multi-State TCI Effort to Improve Outdated Transportation System.

Boston Globe, Boston, Massachusetts

By Gaurab Basu

Transforming our dirty transportation system has long been an urgent public health issue.

Connecticut Post, Connecticut

By Lauren Bailey

COVID-19 is striking neighborhoods that were already suffering before the pandemic: one of the most likely indicators of severe respiratory illness is living in an area with high levels of air pollution. Many of these communities also endure high rates of poverty yet are home to the essential workers on the front lines of the crisis. This pandemic has put the inequity of our climate crisis into stark contrast and has made the dire need for reductions in toxic emissions even more clear.

Richmond Times Dispatch, Richmond, Virginia

By Kelsey Crane

Virginia’s transportation system is in need of serious improvements. Continuing with the status quo of perpetual highway expansion is outdated and isn’t meeting the needs or serving the best interests of our communities. Instead, it’s hurting our environment, health and wallets. Burning motor fuels produces almost half (45%) of the climate pollution in the commonwealth, and that tailpipe pollution also contributes to an influx of health problems and hospital visits that burden Virginians with health care costs.

Study Finds Regional Pact To Reduce Transportation Pollution Could Yield Major Health Benefits WBUR NPR Affiliate/Boston, MA, October 6, 2020. Barbara Moran: “By leading Rhode Island into TCI, Governor Raimondo and Providence lawmakers would make the state even more a leader for jobs and climate in the region. They can protect the economy and continue to lower emissions at the same time."  

By David Abel

Boston Globe

After years of negotiations, Massachusetts and other states on the East Coast are poised to sign a landmark agreement that would constitute one of the nation’s most ambitious efforts to fight climate change.