The Commission on the Future of Transportation in the Commonwealth Releases Recommendations for the Future of Transportation in Massachusetts
On December 14, 2018, the Commission on the Future of Transportation in the Commonwealth announced the release of the Commission’s groundbreaking report, “Choices for Stewardship: Recommendations to Meet the Transportation Future: Volume I.” Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, Transportation Secretary and CEO Stephanie Pollack, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton, and Chairman of the Commission on the Future of Transportation in the Commonwealth Steven Kadish met at the State House to announce the release of the report. The report focuses on recommendations to influence the Governor’s actions on transportation technology and greenhouse gas emissions and includes the following key recommendations:
- Develop a long-term strategy for supporting connected and autonomous vehicles in Massachusetts
- Enable and promote a ubiquitous electric charging (and/or alternative fuel) infrastructure to support the widespread deployment of electric and autonomous vehicles
- Establish a goal that beginning in 2040, all new cars, light duty trucks, and buses sold in Massachusetts will be electric or use another technology to meet the same emissions standards and all vehicles purchased by the Commonwealth will be zero emission vehicles by 2030
- Collaborate with other Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states to establish a regional, market-based program to reduce transportation sector greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
- Ensure that sufficient electric capacity is available to provide reliable, clean, and competitively priced power supplies for all electricity users as electrification of the transportation sector accelerates
Governor Baker remarked that “the Commission’s report will help inform our administration as we look to future investments in the Commonwealth’s transportation system in a changing world and consider various factors such as regional transportation needs and inevitable advances in technology.” The recommendations included in the report will put Massachusetts at the forefront of the United States in transportation policy. The full report includes more precise details on 18 recommendations covering a broad swath of policy initiatives, including the key areas highlighted above.
The Commission on the Future of Transportation in the Commonwealth brought together a group of 19 members, all appointed by Governor Baker, to produce the report. The report’s recommendations are a product of the research and perspectives provided by this diverse group of transportation experts, including our colleague Steve Silveira, Senior Vice President at ML Strategies, an affiliate of Mintz. Steve is also the Chairman of the New England Council’s Transportation and Infrastructure Commission and was the former Chairman of the Transportation Finance Committee under Governor Romney and Governor Patrick. He is a great resource, and we would be happy to connect our friends with Steve if they would like to learn more.
The full report can be accessed here.
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