WHAT IS THE TRANSPORTATION AND CLIMATE INITIATIVE?

The Basics

A huge amount of Connecticut's health- and climate-harming pollution comes from cars and trucks, and the Transportation and Climate Initiative is our opportunity to do something about it.

Transportation and Climate Initiative Program (TCI-P) is a cap-and-invest program: it caps transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions and auctions those allowances to fuel suppliers and wholesalers. The revenues generated would be invested in our transportation system, infrastructure, and communities. As a result, greenhouse gas emissions would be reduced, and our communities would benefit.

It is Connecticut’s best opportunity to reduce emissions from our transportation system that hurt our health and climate while building a better transportation future. This policy would be a win for our environment and state residents in urban, rural, and suburban communities alike.

The Connecticut legislature must now approve the plan. Our Make an Impact page will tell you how YOU can help make sure that happens!

The Background

TCI started as a regional initiative for 13 states and Washington, DC to craft and implement transportation policies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and encourage clean transportation. Currently, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Virginia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and DC are part of TCI.

In December of 2020, Connecticut committed to leading the way, along with Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and DC. Together they moved beyond the general initiative into a more concrete plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions, ensure polluters pay for their climate pollution, expand clean energy finance and transit, and invest in underserved and overburdened communities. This plan, known as the Transportation and Climate Initiative Program (TCI-P) will invest $300 million per year into our region’s economy, transportation infrastructure, and economically distressed neighborhoods.

The Next Step: Passing Legislation to Implement TCI this September

When the Connecticut General Assembly votes to pass implementing legislation, Connecticut will officially join the TCI Program and implement a cap-and-invest program to increase investment in our communities while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The legislature can do so in a special session this fall—if we work together to demand action! You can help.

The Bottom Line

TCI is a regional action that will change our communities—and our world—for the better!