Less Pollution. Better Transit Access. The Transportation and Climate Initiative Is Coming to D.C.

The era of the EV (electric vehicle) is here. Expect to see many more electric cars and charging stations on the streets of D.C. this year, and in the years to follow. How can we know? The District has signed a regional cap-and-invest agreement to (a) cap greenhouse gas emissions from driving, and (b) fundraise around the idea of lower emissions and electric transit.

The Transportation and Climate Initiative is starting with D.C., Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. The hope is to become more impactful as more states join. The health of our planet and the people’s health both stand to benefit.

Millions of dollars raised in D.C. will be directed to communities coping with excessive air pollution and underserved by existing transit options. How will the money be raised? Beginning next year, traditional fuel suppliers will be using special allowances, which they’ll need to buy, to pay for the pollution connected with filling tanks. By limiting these permits, D.C. and the other three states will be capping their total fossil fuel use.

The following year, the number of permits will be reduced, and so on, until available allowances fuel companies can bid on are down by 30% in 2032. The idea is a gradual decrease in air pollution.

Pumping Up the Price of Filling Up

Of course, the petroleum industry will pass these costs on to consumers. Next year, we might expect about a five-cent increase per gallon on the price of fuel, to cover the costs of pollution permits. Some people oppose this, calling it a fuel tax to be inflicted on ordinary drivers and trucking companies. The National Association of Truck Stop Operators opposes the caps.

But given the price of cars, insurance, and parking in the city, Metro transit is most often used by financially stressed D.C. residents. Higher prices at the pumps will probably not be an issue for them. And the costs of treating illnesses related to pollution, particularly in areas suffering from the dirtiest air, should go down. Within one decade, supporters of the Transportation and Climate Initiative say, the cleaner air could help kids avoid suffering from asthma. It could avoid 300 unnecessary deaths.

And what is the cost of inaction? We know that the burning of petroleum products as fuel for vehicles sends warming gases into the atmosphere. Regionally, transportation accounts for more than 40% of emissions. In turn, this creates serious climate disruptions, weather disasters, and flooding around the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers.

Deciding Where New Funds Can Go

Because the permits will bring in revenue, D.C. will be in a position to direct the funding related to air pollution reductions to areas where the financial support will do the most good. We can all ask the Mayor and Council to do just that. For a few examples:

• The DC public transportation system could become less expensive, and more rider-friendly.
• Incentives could be offered for trucking companies that steadily adopt renewable energy.
• Electric buses and ride-hailing services could be supported and made available cheaply.
• The creation of affordable housing could receive extra attention and support in areas with high public transportation access.
• First-time car buyers could receive discounts for buying EVs.
• More EV charging stations, as well as bike rental options, could be constructed. 
• The District could invest in user-friendly infrastructure for electric, autonomous ride services (future mobility tech).
• The District could invest in job training to help people find good jobs related to future mobility tech. 

Growing the Initiative

Eight more states in the region, including Maryland and Virginia, attended the talks that formed the Transportation and Climate Initiative. Those states have not signed on, but have issued a supportive statement promising future collaboration.

This initiative has been needed for a long time. Rather than oppose it, trade associations would be better advised to convert their fleets away from the internal combustion model and move into the fossil-free future that’s coming. To deal with climate disruption, we need everyone on board with ideas for change.

Supporting References

Jacob Fenston for WAMU/DCist: D.C. Joins Regional ‘Cap-And-Invest’ Climate Program (Dec. 21, 2020). Available at:

https://wamu.org/story/20/12/22/d-c-joins-regional-program-capping-transportation-gas-emissions-investing-in-cleaner-options/

https://dcist.com/story/20/12/21/dc-regional-program-caps-greenhouse-gas-emissions/

Next Steps for the Transportation and Climate Initiative. Available at: https://www.transportationandclimate.org/sites/default/files/TCI%20Next%20Steps%2012.20.pdf

Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments: Metropolitan Washington Community-Wide Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Summary (Feb. 8, 2021). Available at: https://www.mwcog.org/documents/2018/02/08/metropolitan-washington-community-wide-greenhouse-gas-emissions-inventory-summary–featured-publications-greenhouse-gas/