Complementary Measures: State and Regional Efforts to Reduce Emissions from the Transportation Sector

Transcription

1 Complementary Measures: State and Regional Efforts to Reduce Emissions from the Transportation Sector September 25, 2012 Sonia Hamel Climate and Energy Consultant

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3 Why Transportation Matters U.S. Transportation GHG Emissions Other sources include waterborne (5.2%), rail (2.7%), pipelines (1.65), buses (0.6%), lubricants (0.5%) and motorcycles (0.1%) U.S. EPA (2008). Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990 to 2006.

4 Where Will Potential GHG Reductions Come From? Smarter, More Efficient Travel Behavior System-Level Operational Improvements (Transit and Highway) Cleaner and Lower Carbon Fuels More Efficient Vehicles (Federal standards)

5 States are Starting to Look at the Transportation System for E2 and GHG Goals A number of states are working on GHG reductions in transportation. Today, I will highlight three good examples: 1. Colorado s Energy Smart Transportation Initiative 2. Massachusetts's Transportation Goals in the Global Warming Solutions Act and GreenDOT 3. And the Northeast Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI)

6 Complementary Measures: Colorado: ESTI The Energy Smart Transportation Initiative (ESTI) developed a framework for considering energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions in transportation decision-making. The goal was to: 1) identify where in the planning process they could intervene and 2) determine strategies to improve the energy efficiency of Colorado s transportation sector (to reduce associated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions impacts)

7 Colorado Energy Smart Transportation Initiative Work groups on: Existing plans Best practices New technologies What will it take to get there? Identify promising strategies How will we measure progress? Decide how/where to measure GHG impacts Smart Trips Smart Systems Clean Fuels Clean Vehicles Data & Measurement Planning Processes Collaborative Team: Considered urban, suburban, rural, & resort context Developed evaluation criteria Linked data to decisions Promoted inter organizational coordination Determined stakeholder participation How will we implement the best strategies? Prioritize actions & integrate into organizations & decision making Recommendations 7

8 Strategies from Energy Smart Transportation Initiative Smart Trips New consumer interactive technologies More options for transit, bikes and walking More car pooling and new social network, real-time ride share options Smart Systems Traffic operations/driving behavior Reducing congestion or idling Freight movement efficiency Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Better planning for trip-making Clean Fuels Clean Vehicles Improved fuel efficiency standards New technology incentives: EVs, CNG, hybrid vehicles and plug-in hybrids Reducing the carbon content of fuels Procurement MOU with other states for CNG trucks

9 MA Global Warming Solutions Act In August 2008, Governor Patrick signed the Climate Protection & Green Economy Act Required Massachusetts to reduce economy-wide GHG emissions: 25% reduction <1990 level by % reduction <1990 level by 2050 Clean Energy & Climate Plan for 2020 issued December 29, 2010 Transportation Sector is designed to offer % of the economy-emissions (so 26-30% of the whole 25% reduction by 2020) 9

10 GreenDOT Vision Through the full range of our activities, from strategic planning to construction and system operations MassDOT will promote sustainable economic development, protect the natural environment and enhance the quality of the life for all of the Commonwealth s residents and visitors.

11 MA Implementation Strategy to Get There Comprehensive response to a range of state and MassDOT laws, policies and initiatives: Clean Car Incentives (0.5%) Federal Renewable Fuels and CFS (1.6%) Green Communities Act Healthy Transportation Compact Smart Growth Policy Package (0.5%) New Federal Car and Med and Heavy Duty Standards (2.9%) GreenDOT (1.2%) PAYD Pilot (1.1%) 11

12 The Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) 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. Create benefits and funding opportunities for states that are leading the way. Align with federal government actions, goals and emerging inter-agency approaches. Build on existing regional efforts. Sharing an optimistic, solutionoriented vision that moves the public

13 Collaborating Across Sectors and States The top environment, transportation, and energy officials from participating TCI states are now all in the same room, collaborating and guiding project work together for the first time. Transportation Environment Energy

14 TCI Declaration of Intent

15 Deep Staff and Agency Engagement Drive the TCI Forward 35 agency heads provide direction and core decisionmaking. More than 100 staffers from state agencies in the region are 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.

16 We aren t standing still: the shift to higher carbon fuels Rising investment in unconventional fossil sources, or Dirty Fuels Tar sands, oil shale, coal to liquids Will worsen Carbon Emissions associated with transportation sector

17 TCI Project Area: Clean Vehicles and Fuels Launched the Northeast Electric Vehicle Network in October 2011 to support the rollout of electric vehicles in the region. Received a nearly $1 million Electric Vehicle Readiness Grant from DOE in Sept Exploring opportunities to support the use of natural gas vehicles. Commissioning study of potential revenue losses from increased use of alternative fuel vehicles.

18 The Northeast Electric Vehicle Network The Northeast Electric Vehicle Network is one of the nation s most ambitious electric vehicle networks, spanning 11 states and the District of Columbia. The Network will result in an increased number of electric vehicle charging stations. But the Network is more than just physical infrastructure. It also represents: a growing partnership between the public and private sectors to expedite our transition toward a cleaner transportation system; a commitment to removing barriers that would slow the mass-market rollout of electric vehicles.

19 TCI Project Area: Sustainable Communities TCI Agency Heads agreed to a set of sustainability principles in June Georgetown conducted research into what sustainable communities policies TCI states are already implementing. December meeting of states and stakeholders identified a potential suite of sustainable communities indicators. Indicators can show state progress and show the benefits of sustainable development.

20 TCI Project Area: Information and Communication Technology Tap into the potential of information and communication technologies to make transportation more energy efficient and sustainable in the region. Implement emerging technologies to: Promote transit use through information technologies Encourage travelers to use real time information offered in 511 and other systems to reduce their travel times Improve bus scheduling and routing Reduce travel times and traffic congestion Reduce idling and unproductive run times for trucks and other heavy duty vehicles Introduce new ways of collecting and disseminating travel data Reduce the cost of vehicle ownership Improve public safety and expand consumer travel choices

21 TCI Project Area: Freight Seeking to identify and advance regional initiatives to promote sustainable economic development through better goods movement systems and technology. Commissioned a comprehensive study of freight flows in the TCI region by Dr. James Winebrake of the Rochester Institute of Technology. Proposing subsequent study on energy and emissions implications of freight movement in the region. Working in collaboration with other freight focused groups, including I-95 Corridor Coalition. Providing information on freight movements to the Northeast Corridor Commission to assist in the Commission s policy work.

22 Why Are Northeast States and Cities Taking Action? Sense of urgency; can no longer wait for federal action. The northeast, for example, would be the 8 th largest emitter in the world if one country. There are benefits to making the driving and needs of 62.5 million people more sustainable. Cities are the answer - what was the question? The embedded energy in the future delivery of services for existing and new development is so much lower in cities. History of state action prompting national solutions Experience of working together in the northeast and leading on environmental issues We can make a difference at this level and it will be good for our communities.

23 Politics is the art of compromise. Unfortunately, the atmosphere is no longer negotiating. William Becker, Presidential Climate Action Project Sonia Hamel 23