BOSTON - NECEC today released the following statement in support of the three Northeast states, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, and the District of Columbia, that are the first to sign an agreement to participate in the Transportation Climate Initiative program (TCI), an ambitious cap-and-invest plan to modernize transportation in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region.

“The Northeast is taking an important step towards a cleaner, more equitable future with the announcement of the TCI Memorandum of Understanding and NECEC applauds the leadership of Governors Baker, Lamont, and Raimondo, and Mayor Bowser," said NECEC President Peter Rothstein. "Reducing transportation pollution is of paramount importance if we are to meet our climate commitments and protect frontline communities. TCI will provide valuable investment opportunities to accelerate progress for economy-growing clean transportation vehicles, systems, and infrastructure by leveraging private capital and innovation.”

The TCI Program aims to significantly reduce carbon pollution from the transportation sector and provide critical funding for modern transportation solutions in urban, suburban and rural areas alike, improving neighborhoods, public health, air quality, and commutes. States that participate in TCI will also prioritize communities that have borne the brunt of transportation-related pollution through investments in public transit, electric school and transit buses, and multi-modal transportation options. The TCI program is also expected to save states billions of dollars in transportation pollution related health costs over the course of the program’s implementation while accelerating the growth of new jobs in the clean transportation sector.

Several other Northeast states have agreed to remain engaged with TCI planning efforts and continue the negotiation process with the goal of ultimately joining the program.

About NECEC

NECEC is the premier voice of businesses building a world-class clean energy hub in the Northeast, helping clean energy companies start, scale, and succeed with our unique business, innovation, and policy leadership. NECEC includes the Northeast Clean Energy Council, a nonprofit business member organization, and NECEC Institute, a charitable nonprofit focused on industry research, innovation, policy development, and strategic communications. NECEC’s innovation program includes Cleantech Open Northeast, the Northeast affiliate of the national cleantech accelerator Cleantech Open, and Cleantech Navigate, which provides cleantech startups with curated connections to mentors, test sites, customers, corporate partners, and investors. NECEC brings together business leaders and key stakeholders to engage in influential policy discussions and business initiatives while building connections that propel the clean energy industry forward.

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