BRPC Advocates for Rural Areas in Transportation Climate Initiative
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Regional Planning Commission last week approved a comment letter to the Legislature in regard to the Transportation and Climate Initiative Program launched by Gov. Charlie Baker in late 2020.
In its feedback, the commission largely advocated for the inclusion of rural areas in the project's definition of "underserved and overburdened" communities, saying rural areas such as the Berkshires are disadvantaged and lack transit services as well as mobility options.
"Previously, we've commented that rural areas should be included into this definition of overburdened and underrepresented communities," Transportation and Program Manager Clete Kus said in Wednesday's BRPC meeting.
"That comment still has not been addressed and we feel that, to protect our best interest, that that needs to be included in there, so that's sort of a reoccurring theme of some of our comments."
The purpose of the initiative is to combat climate change by reducing the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States.
It aims to reduce those emissions by 26 percent in the first decade and generate revenue that will fund climate resiliency efforts throughout the region.
The TCI-P goals, as outlined in the December 2020 TCI-P Memorandum of Understanding are:
Reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the transportation sector;
Improving air quality and public health, increasing resilience to the impacts of climate change, and providing more affordable access to clean transportation choices;
Promoting local economic opportunity and creating high-quality jobs;
Maximizing the efficiency of the multijurisdictional program to ensure greater benefits;
Advancing equity for communities overburdened by pollution and underserved by the transportation system, including expanding low-carbon and clean mobility options in urban, suburban, and rural communities, particularly for populations and communities that are disproportionately adversely affected by climate change and transportation pollution and currently underserved by the transportation system.
According to a 2017 list of rural towns from the state Office of Rural Health, Berkshire County has 31 rural communities with only Pittsfield being considered a metro area.
The plan's definition of "underserved and overburdened" currently does not include rural areas.
With the inclusion of rural communities in the category, the panel believes that Berkshire County will be better served by the program.
"Berkshire County is primarily rural with very low-density development. Household incomes are amongst the lowest in the state. Residents have limited transit options. The rural nature of the county results in vehicle trips which are longer and the options to use public transit is limited to just 14 routes operated by Berkshire Regional Transit Authority," BRPC wrote.
"Longer trip lengths result in a disproportionate financial impact as a result of a carbon-based fuel tax on our residents. The inclusion of rural areas in the definition of overburdened and underserved communities must be mandatory for all implementation plans. Also, directly related to this is the subject of geographic equity which should also be incorporated into the program."
Reportedly, adding rural communities in the designation may also trigger more funds for the use of creating high-quality jobs, as outlined in the project goals.
"TCI-P jurisdictions have made a commitment that no less than 35 percent of the proceeds from the auctioning of allowances be directed to ensuring that overburdened and underserved communities benefit equitably from clean transportation projects and programs," BRPC wrote.
"As previously mentioned, we request that rural areas be included or designated as overburdened and underserved communities so that they are also able to access these funds."
To advocate for the rural communities that largely make up the county, BRPC asks that members of the TCI-P Equity Advisory Body include a comparable amount of representatives from rural areas.
That panel is tasked with advising decision-making and equitable outcomes for the program.
The commission also believes that the TCI-P goals should place a larger emphasis on the primary driver of the initiative, which is reducing carbon-dioxide emissions from the transportation sector.
"Since the inception of this program, a number of additional items have been added to the program/goals which take away resources and do not provide a direct CO2 emissions reduction benefit," BRPC wrote. "Emission reduction goals and targets are noticeably absent from the goals."
With some minor adjustments, the panel unanimously approved the seven-page comment letter that provided feedback on most elements of the initiative including the Transportation Climate Initiative's Program (TCI-P) Model Implementation Plan (MIP) for Low Carbon Transportation and the companion documents, the Draft Framework for Public Engagement and the Draft Strategies for Regional Collaboration.
Members agreed that the comments are constructive and aim to strengthen the program's efforts.
Tags: BRPC, climate change, transportation,
