Climate agreement an important step
The positive impacts from Connecticut’s decision to join a multistate compact with a goal of reducing emissions from transportation are far-reaching. With global climate change our biggest challenge in coming decades, every bit of progress in stemming it is important. But the benefits go beyond that.
Reduced emissions of greenhouse gases means an improvement in public health, especially in communities of color, where the impact of pollution often hits harder. The plan would lead to better mass transit, giving options to people who otherwise might not have any. That leads to economic development, and job growth is an area where Connecticut could use some momentum.
It will also bring in much-needed new revenue to members of the Transportation and Climate Initiative, which for now would include Rhode Island, Massachusetts and the District of Columbia, in addition to Connecticut. It took more than a decade of negotiations to reach this point, but it’s an important milestone that is worthy of recognition.
It’s that new revenue, though, that provides the most obvious stumbling block.
The goal of the plan is to cut emissions by providing incentives for drivers to get off the road and put more money into cleaner forms of transportation. Because the transportation sector accounts for 40 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in the state — the most of any sector — the need to make change is significant.
It’s where the money comes from that will cause controversy. Higher prices at the gas pump would be determined not through a levy imposed by the state, but rather by diesel and gasoline wholesalers participating in the quarterly auction of credits required by the multistate group. The idea is simple — the more you pollute, the more you pay. It’s a principle that has worked well for power plants and other large-scale uses, but critics worry the impact here will be felt by individual drivers who are already struggling.
That may be unavoidable. Connecticut gas taxes have not increased in a generation, and are below the national average. The best way to disincentivize an activity is to make it more costly, and that’s what cap-and-invest plans do. Gasoline becomes more expensive, and the extra money that is raised is used to invest in other, cleaner ways to get around, thus reducing emissions.
Though most people would agree with the overall goal of cutting emissions and fighting climate change, paying more for gas will be a tough sell. Republicans are already pouncing on the idea as another hit on a population that can’t afford any more.
It’s a legitimate concern. But every beneficial policy has tradeoffs, and this is an example. Climate change will affect everyone, and already is in the form of increased coastal flooding, more frequent dangerous storms and prolonged droughts. Doing nothing is not an option. Reaching this point on a regional initiative is a major step forward, and one that should be applauded.
Legislators should work to see that those hit hardest by rising gas prices are provided relief in some form. We shouldn’t deny that there are costs involved. But this agreement is too important to miss out on.
Though most people would agree with the overall goal of cutting emissions and fighting climate change, paying more for gas will be a tough sell.