The Northeast-Midwest Institute hosted a briefing on April 23, 2012, about the Transportation Climate Initiative (TCI), a coalition of states working together to address their mutual transportation problems, especially the greenhouse gas emissions from their transportation sector. Speakers discussed how TCI formed, what it has been doing, what it hopes to do in the future, and how the federal government can help or hinder TCI’s efforts. After speaking individually, the panelists discussed how the federal government plays a role in TCI’s work, answering questions from a moderator and from the audience. Panelists recommended continued funding for research and development and full-time, in depth technical assistance. They also recommended a shift from the current focus on individual transportation projects toward a focus on developing systematic solutions, which can be more cost-efficient. Panelists are listed below with links to their formal presentations:

• Vicki Arroyo, Executive Director of Georgetown Climate Center, Facilitator for Transportation Climate Initiative (Presentation conducted jointly with Dr. Taylor)
• Brett Taylor, Intergovernmental Policy Advisor, Delaware Department of Transportation (Presentation conducted jointly with Ms. Arroyo)
• John Thomas, Director of Community Assistance and Research Division, US EPA, Office of Sustainable Communities (Presentation)
  

At the briefing, NEMWI also provided early releases of the new “Note to the Coalitions: The Northeast’s Transportation Climate Initiative.”

From left to right: John Thomas, Brett Taylor, Vicki Arroyo, and Beth Zgoda.

For more information, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Policy Analyst at Northeast-Midwest Institute.