TCI Regional Policy Design Stakeholder Submissions

Virginia Conservation Network is the partnership of 125 groups across the Commonwealth working to protect our natural resources. We have a 50 year history of working for state level policy changes to protect and restore our air, water, and natural landscapes.

Climate change is the biggest environmental threat we face here in Virginia and across the globe. All levels of government must step up to address this threat by putting policies in place that reduce carbon emissions. Virginia is on a path to joining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative to ratchet down our carbon pollution from electricity generation with a statewide goal of getting to a carbon free power grid by 2050. However, the utility sector is only on fifth of our greenhouse gas emissions, forty-six percent of our state’s carbon pollution derives from the transportation sector. It is time for Virginia, our neighboring states, and the nation to tackle this source of pollution.

VCN is excited about the solutions the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) could offer our Commonwealth. TCI would not only put in place a system to reduce carbon pollution from transportation, the resulting revenue streams from TCI could allow us to expand our transit networks and transition our vehicle fleets—from police cruisers to school buses—to all-electric. The potential for revenues to be invested in cleaner and more accessible transportation solutions in communities that suffer disproportionately from transportation pollution and a lack of mobility options can not be overstated. It is important that while we look towards transportation solutions we look not only to electrification but also to smart land-use including walkable, bikeable communities. We look forward to working with TCI and our neighboring states to tackle this problem from all angles.

There are many co-benefits to cleaning up our transportation system; however, the benefits for public health would prove especially significant. Virginia’s rate of asthma and related deaths is well above the national average. Richmond in particular has more deaths linked to asthma than any other U.S. city, and childhood asthma is a top reason that Richmond children miss school. Cleaner vehicles would mean cleaner air for our kids to breathe.

We are excited to support this endeavor to simultaneously tackle the climate crisis, enhance our region's mobility and make a significant shift towards cleaner, healthier communities.

I direct a program at the George Mason Center for Climate Change Communication called the Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health which brings together medical societies and public health organizations. We organize (conevene), empower (educate), and amplify (share) the voices of physicians and other health professionals to inform the public and policymakers about the health harms of climate change and the health benefits of climate solutions. The associated medical societies represent over half the doctors in the U.S. and the public health organizations represent millions of public health professionals. We posted recently what many of our organizations view as vital policy actions to help protect us from the many adverse health impacts associated with climate change and stop further deterioration of our life sustaining atmosphere and climate. We make clear that climate change has become a health emergency. This may be found at climatehealthaction.org
Transportation is now the largest sources of greenhouse gases, contributing the most gases that trap heat to the atmosphere. Since
transportation is vital infrastructure for a vibrant economy, a system that is safe for the public, and addresses connectivity in the healthiest way possible is essential. Without great connectivity, the economy cannot include new employees or grow further into new areas. Virginia residents depend on a growing vibrant economy and thus need a transportation infrastructure for the 21st century. Virginians also need a system that does not make people sick due to the pollution that currently accompanies travel by truck, automobile, diesel bus, and ocean shipping. Right now, too many people are exposed to pollutants that place them at risk for lung problems, heart conditions, premature deliveries (if they are pregnant), or poor lung development (if they are children). Participation in a regional transportation plan can lower pollution while linking Virginia to other states in a collaborative way.
As a commuter I know how important it is to have efficient and low polluting forms of travel. As a doctor I know how easily the ozone level rises on warm to hot days when people sit in cars on the highway or walk around near major roadways, placing themselves at risk for deterioration of their lung conditions. People with asthma, lung, and heart conditions are all potentially affected, and can end up sick and unable to work or presenting to hospital emergency rooms. Children are at risk because their lungs are still developing. Pregnant women are at risk because exposure is associated with premature labor. This is a drain on individual health, community health, and the economy.
Education of children is another vital element that strengthens our economic infrastructure. Too many children are exposed to diesel fumes while they travel on their school buses. I would hope that this issue would be addressed also through participation in a transportation plan that addresses health because it addresses transportation and is designed in collaboration with other states.

I'm grateful that Virginia is working on reducing transportation emissions—it's time to make bold moves. Given that transportation is Virginia's top source of greenhouse gas emissions, we should consider more aggressive goals (i.e. greater than 25% reduction) and prioritize zero tailpipe emissions investments. Let's make it happen!

The Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) is an opportunity for Virginia and the Washington, DC metro region to reduce fossil fuel emissions and invest in clean transportation options including electric cars and buses, electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, EV purchase tax credits, sidewalks/bike lanes, and regional rail. I strongly support and urge Virginia to move forward with and join the TCI as well as require that the revenue generated by the program be used to expand clean transportation. There are simply too many cars on the road contributing to our warming climate and adding to air pollution related health problems including asthma rates.

Transportation is responsible for nearly half (46 percent) of Virginia's greenhouse gas emissions. If Virginians want to do our part to slow climate change, we definitely need to tackle transportation emissions. In many ways, transportation presents one of the greatest obstacles to tackling climate change, as well as one of the biggest opportunities to address some of Virginia’s challenges.

TCI takes a regional approach. Virginia’s transportation systems are intimately connected to Washington, D.C., Maryland and the entire region, so a real solution to transportation challenges must be regional as well. Additionally, as a coastal state Virginia is already experiencing the impact of climate change more than most—and scientists have made it clear that we must dramatically scale up efforts to reduce GHG emissions if we are to mitigate the worst impacts of a warming world.

We must act now to implement thoughtful and collaborative solutions like TCI that will help address the climate challenge while also driving investments in a clean transportation future. Virginia’s state leaders need to join with our neighbors and build a clean and efficient transportation system that we can all benefit from.

Please see the attached comments from The Nature Conservancy on the TCI Draft MOU.

On behalf of the Petroleum Marketers Association of America (PMAA), I would like to offer our comments on the draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the Transportation Climate Initiative (TCI). Please see attached.

Sincerely,

Rob Underwood
PMAA President

A cap on carbon emissions of at least 50% by 2032
An increase in the minimum investment in overburdened and underserved communities (>50%)
Request that investments be put towards active transportation like better sidewalks, bicycle infrastructure, and high quality public transit

We are writing to encourage an support a strongTransportation and Climate Initiative which would include:
A cap on carbon emissions of at least 25% by 2032
An increase in the minimum investment in overburdened and underserved communities (>35%)
Request that investments be put towards active transportation like better sidewalks, bicycle infrastructure, and high quality public transit
According to a recently released study by Harvard and other institutions, if the program is designed appropriately, up to 1,100 lives can be saved annually, and the region could see $11 billion in health benefits each year....very clear benefits for people and planet!

Please see the attached file for The Nature Conservancy's comments on equity provisions in the TCI program.