Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI)A new initiative to reduce greenhouse gases in the transportation sector in Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states

Valerie GrayDNREC – Division of Air QualitySeptember 23, 2011

Transportation and Climate Initiative Eleven states and DC launched the TCI in June 2010 to• Reduce greenhouse gases in the

transportation sector and help build the clean energy economy.

• Align with federal government actions, goals and emerging inter-agency approaches.

• Create benefits and funding opportunities for states that are leading the way.

• Build on existing regional efforts, including RGGI and the LCFS.

TCI Declaration of Intent

Transportation and Climate Initiative

• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions• Minimize reliance on high-carbon fuels• Promote sustainable growth• Addressing vehicle-miles traveled• Help build the clean energy economy

Early Work• Analysis of policy options in state

climate plans, RGGI, and the climate provisions in state long-range transportation plans completed.

• Extensive outreach to federal partners (DOT, EPA, DOE and HUD) and stakeholders (AASHTO, APTA, NGOs and think tanks).

• States recently committed more than $2.7 million in matching funds as part of an EV grant application. Identified partners.

• Detailed project work plan developed.

Early Work: Deep Staff and Agency Engagement Drive the TCI Forward• 35 agency heads provide direction and core decision-making • More than 90 staffers from state agencies in the region are

fully engaged, participating in:– Staff working group meetings– Steering committee meetings– Working groups in each of the TCI’s project areas (includes agency

officials and subject area experts)

• The Georgetown Climate Center serves as the group’s convener and provides facilitation, staffing, analysis, and a team of expert consultants thanks to the support of core funders (RBF, EHTF, Joyce) and Rockefeller Foundation(so far).

SteeringCommittee

Georgetown Climate Center supports the TCI by providing research, facilitation and funding

Organization Chart

Clean Vehicles and Fuels• Coordinating EV infrastructure

policies at a regional level will hasten the spread of EV sales and use.

• Next step: promote EV policy coordination among states and prepare to launch a northeast regional EV network (connecting with metropolitan and local EV networks and public transportation systems)

Sustainable Communities• Develop state-level policies that

foster sustainable communities and smart growth to reduce travel demand and promote transit oriented development.

Consider climate change in infrastructure investmentMetrics to reflect climate impacts in state policiesDevelop best practices and model state policiesEnhance and implement sustainable communities efforts

within state climate action planning

Information and Communication Technology

• Promote transit use • Improve bus scheduling and routing• Real-time information on traffic and

alternative routes can reduce travel times, traffic congestion, energy use and emissions

• Reduce the amount of idling and unproductive run times for locomotives and other heavy-duty vehicles

• Multiple benefitsSave energy/emissions Improve public safety Expand consumer travel choices

Can make transportation more energy efficient and sustainable. Implement emerging technologies to:

Freight• Promote sustainable economic

development through better goods movement systems and technology.

• Reducing truck vehicle miles traveled

Mode shifting to rail and water New technology for better routing

and loading of trucks Freight village and other Smart

Growth strategies for goods movement

Linking “reindustrialization” policies with freight management

Progress and next steps

• October 2010 Agency Heads approved work plan • November 2010 SWG and workgroup progress • Conduct ongoing analysis building on state needs and data

– Analyze state climate action and transportation plans – Gather relevant data– Identify and share best practices– Develop research plans and priorities

• Identify opportunities for support and partnerships• Present at meetings of other relevant organizations/associations &

conduct outreach to partners/stakeholders• Develop videos for transition, communications, and outreach• Spring 2011 staff meeting and June Agency Head meeting

Goals for 2011• Launch TCI Northeast Regional EV Network

TCI EV network agreement at June Agency Heads meeting Develop web tool to identify and plan EV charging station locations Begin “partnership pledge” for public/private partnerships Coordinate policies in the region to provide financial and regulatory

support for transformation of the market to EVs, conduct outreach, etc. Assess economic and environmental benefits of a regional EV network

• Announce TCI Sustainable Communities partnership Commit to adopt sustainability principles Commit to work in active partnerships with federal agencies, MPOs,

rural planning agencies and other regional planning entities, local sustainable community leaders and NGOs on developing state-level policies related to metrics, leveraging state investments to support sustainable community principles and exploring models for transportation planning to incorporate energy considerations

Goals for 2011

• Announce TCI commitment to work on a major freight efficiency project - e.g., a “Green Junctions” project to promote high-tech, multimodal goods movement

• Announce TCI agreement to work on a regional information and communication technology (ICT) project - e.g., a regional metro pass or a “where is my bus” application

• Pursue list of proposed TCI core research projects

• Recognize emerging TCI partnerships

Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI)

FOR MORE INFORMATION:www.dnrec.delaware.gov Valerie Gray, Planning Supervisor DNREC - Division of Air Quality valerie.gray@state.de.us (302) 739-9402