May 15, 2020 (BOSTON, MA) – Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) released the following statement today after states announced a delay in the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI). Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, state leaders have pushed back the date by which states must decide whether to sign on and agree to participate in the program.
“With COVID disproportionately affecting communities long exposed to the brunt of air pollution, reducing transportation emissions is more important than ever,” said Staci Rubin, Senior Attorney at CLF. “This delay will give state leaders an opportunity to ensure an equitable implementation of TCI that prioritizes the communities facing the largest health impacts from pollution. Our leaders must honor their commitment and begin this program in 2022.”
TCI consists of several Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states and Washington D.C. that are working together to improve transportation, reduce carbon emissions, and develop clean energy. The program will impose a fee on suppliers of gasoline and diesel fuels and use the proceeds to fund clean transportation projects.
CLF experts are available for further comment.
###