36th Annual Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers

RESOLUTION 36-2

RESOLUTION CONCERNING TRANSPORTATION

WHEREAS the Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers (NEG/ECP) has adopted a plan and resolutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to explore opportunities to advance the green economy through investments in clean, efficient, and sustainable transportation; and

WHEREAS the transportation sector contributes more than 30% of all greenhouse gas emissions produced in our region; and

WHEREAS an efficient and sustainable transportation system is an essential contributor to the region’s economic prosperity, and quality of life; and

WHEREAS the NEG/ECP desires to reduce the carbon intensity of fuels and the transportation system and coordinate this reduction with the region’s environmental and economic objectives; and

WHEREAS deployment of advanced technology and alternative fuel vehicles and the increase in more efficient mobility options are needed in order to reach the region’s emission reduction and renewable energy goals; and

WHEREAS the NEG/ECP will hold an Alternative Fuel Vehicles Conference on September 27, 2012, in Montreal to examine the costs and benefits related to increased adoption of advanced technology and alternative fuel vehicles.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Governors and Premiers are unanimous in their support for advancing the infrastructure and policies necessary for the robust deployment of advanced technology and alternative fuel vehicles to facilitate a more sustainable transportation future; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Transportation Air Quality Committee (TAQC) will work to produce a regional transportation energy use and emissions profile in order to assist the states and provinces in quantifying the social, economic, and environmental benefits associated with the growth of advanced technology vehicles, alternative fuels; and more efficient mobility options for the region; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the TAQC will work with other private, nonprofit, and government entities, as appropriate, to develop policy recommendations to maximize the potential for and accelerate the deployment of advanced technology and alternative fuel vehicles and to facilitate a lower carbon and more sustainable transportation future. The TAQC is instructed to report back on its policy recommendations to the 37 th NEG/ECP in 2013; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the NEG/ECP pledges to coordinate and share information on ways to address any impacts that the growth of advanced technology and alternative fuel vehicles will have on future transportation revenues; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the NEG/ECP directs the states and provinces to review and revise, as appropriate, the 2008 Transportation Air Quality Action Plan in light of emerging alternative vehicles, technologies, policy approaches, and pilot projects and submit recommendations to the Governors and Premiers for consideration during the 37 th annual NEG/ECP conference in 2013.

Adopted at the 36th Annual Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers, Burlington, Vermont, July 30, 2012.