37th  Annual Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers

RESOLUTION 37-2 – RESOLUTION CONCERNING REGIONAL INITIATIVES TO ENCOURAGE GREATER USE OF ALTERNATIVE FUEL VEHICLES

37th Annual Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers' Logo

WHEREAS, emerging transportation technologies such as vehicle electrification, the use of natural gas as a fuel, and various technologies designed to enhance the energy efficiency of vehicles and reduce emissions of harmful air pollutants generate significant benefits for users in terms of reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, lower fuel consumption, improved air quality, and at the same time contribute to the region’s economic development and tourism; and

WHEREAS, the New England governors and Eastern Canadian premiers will lead in promoting the use of alternative fuel vehicles by the private and public sectors in North America, while taking into account the specific contexts in their respective states and provinces; and

WHEREAS, various public and private initiatives have been launched in recent years in New England and Eastern Canada in support of greater use of alternative fuel vehicles for personal and commercial travel; and

WHEREAS, the objectives of these initiatives include encouraging the use of alternative fuel vehicles and technologies, encouraging the deployment of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and alternative fueling stations, and supporting demonstration projects designed to reduce fuel consumption and GHG emissions for personal vehicles and public and private vehicle fleets; and

WHEREAS, alternative fuel vehicles and the supporting charging and refueling stations are an option to move people and goods within and among the region’s urban centres and towns; and

WHEREAS, regional collaboration in the area of EV charging stations and alternative fueling stations could facilitate the interoperability of this alternative infrastructure across the region, and thereby encourage greater use of these vehicles; and

WHEREAS, regional cooperation to support the use of alternative fuel vehicles will link the various initiatives being deployed in the region and, ultimately, make it easier for such vehicles to travel throughout the region.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the New England governors and Eastern Canadian premiers will work cooperatively, taking into account the financial and technical capacities and interests of their respective jurisdictions, to support the increased use of alternative fuel vehicles and networks within the region; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the governors and premiers direct members of the Environment, Energy, and Transportation and Air Quality committees to work together, and with other regional organizations actively engaged in EV recharging and alternative refueling networks to:

       
  • compile an inventory of regional initiatives regarding electric and natural-gas-powered vehicles;
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  • propose actions aimed at facilitating the interoperability of EV charging and alternative refueling infrastructure; and
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  • identify road corridors where this type of infrastructure could be deployed, with a view to promoting the use of electric and alternative fuel vehicles and facilitating travel throughout the region for the users of such vehicles.

Adopted at the 37th Annual Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers, La Malbaie, Québec, September 9, 2013.

Signature of Pauline Marois, Premier of Québec, Co-Chair and Lincoln Chafee, Governor of Rhode Island, Co-Chair