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

WHEREAS, the New England states and Eastern Canadian provinces are committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the region and to exploring opportunities to advance the clean energy economy through investments in clean, efficient, and sustainable transportation; and

WHEREAS, the transportation sector, a critical underpinning for the mobility of people and goods and the economic competitiveness of the states and provinces, is a major consumer of fossil fuel resources and the region’s dominant source of greenhouse gas emissions; and

WHEREAS, an efficient and sustainable transportation system is critical to the region’s ability to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions and meet the regional targets set by governors and premiers; and

WHEREAS, the states and provinces recognize that reduction of greenhouse gas emissions requires actions to enhance vehicle technologies and efficiencies, provide lower-emitting vehicle fuels, and improve overall transportation system efficiencies; and

WHEREAS, the Alternative Fuel Conference co-hosted by the New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers (NEG/ECP) and Québec in 2012 demonstrated the best practices, lessons learned, and the environmental, economic and social benefits of the emerging innovation economy of alternative fuel vehicles; and

WHEREAS, the states and provinces are taking a variety of actions, individually and collectively, to educate, demonstrate and encourage greater understanding and adoption of efficient, lower-emitting transportation choices by governments, local authorities, individuals and businesses.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT governors and premiers call for advancing the infrastructure and policies, taking into account the financial and technical capacities and interests of their respective jurisdictions, to provide individuals, businesses, local authorities, and governments with transportation choices that will facilitate a more sustainable transportation future, including the use of advanced technology and alternative fuel vehicles; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Transportation and Air Quality Committee (TAQC) and its partners will work collaboratively, taking into account the specific circumstances of each jurisdiction, towards achieving a regional five percent fleet market share penetration of alternative fuel vehicles by 2020 and facilitate the availability of refueling stations to support those vehicles; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the TAQC will provide to governors and premiers at the 2014 NEG/ECP Annual Conference a proposed regional target for enhanced public transportation, biking and walking options for a sustainable transportation system; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the TAQC will maintain a regional network of expertise on sustainable transportation, greenhouse gas emission mitigation, and air quality; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the TAQC develop a regional profile of the fleet fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions of light duty vehicles as well as the number of Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles, Battery Electric Vehicles and Natural Gas Vehicles in the states and provinces.

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