TCI ‘doesn’t makes sense’ in Massachusetts, former proponent says as Connecticut pulls out
A one-time proponent of a controversial regional plan to slash vehicle emissions says it’s time for Massachusetts to hit the brakes and “re-evaluate” its participation as one of just two remaining states plus Washington, D.C., in the deal that initially included over a dozen.
The agreement, called the Transportation Climate Initiative, is essentially a gas tax designed to limit carbon consumption through a cap-and-invest system that would charge companies that exceed emissions limits and use the proceeds to fund green infrastructure projects.
“From a Massachusetts perspective, I think it is in extreme jeopardy,” said Chris Anderson, president of the Massachusetts High Technology Council. “We need enough states to make it work and seems like a critical mass doesn’t exist.”
What was supposed to be a regional partnership of Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states stretching from Virginia to Maine has dwindled to Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Washington after the Connecticut Legislature declared the deal a no-go last week, making it the 10th state to pull out.
Gov. Charlie Baker’s administration has been vague about what the “critical mass” of states needed to reach the goal of slashing carbon emissions 26% by 2023 would be, but Anderson put the number somewhere around nine, emphasizing the role of larger states.
Anderson, who once supported the plan, said the “entire system needs to be re-evaluated” in a post-pandemic world.
“The world is different now and there are too many competing policy and tax proposals. While it made sense at one time, it doesn’t make sense now,” Anderson said.
It’s unclear exactly what the implications of Connecticut’s departure will be on the deal inked with Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Washington, D.C., in December.
While Baker asserts he has executive authority to involve Massachusetts in the deal, Rhode Island’s participation will depend on the will of its state legislature. Former Gov. Gina Raimondo committed to the partnership before leaving to serve as President Biden’s commerce secretary and now-Gov. Dan McKee has so far avoided taking a public position on the TCI.
from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/3ckglM8
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