State-level carbon tax climate agreement ‘having a hard time getting off the ground’

An interstate carbon tax agreement promoted as having 13 mid-Atlantic and Northeastern members appears shaky after the Connecticut legislature snubbed the idea in September, leaving as the only committed jurisdictions the District of Columbia and Massachusetts, though the Bay State faces a possible ballot initiative against it.

While officials from 10 other states have been in discussions to enter the Transportation and Climate Initiative, or TCI, only then-Rhode Island Gov. Gina M. Raimondo, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker and Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont joined D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser in signing a memorandum of understanding in December to implement the plan.

The cap-and-trade initiative would require vehicle fuel suppliers in participating jurisdictions to buy energy allowances for CO2 emissions. The volume of allowances for sale will decrease each year, meaning fuel suppliers will pay more each year for emissions.

CLIMATE PROTESTERS SWARM WHITE HOUSE, VANDALIZE JACKSON STATUE, WARN BIDEN

Proponents say this will cut greenhouse gas emissions by 26% from 2022 through 2032, and bring $3 billion in revenue for the next decade. Opponents say it will drive up fuel prices for consumers and is a regressive fuel tax. With regards to a regressive tax, proponents contend that signatories would dedicate at least 35% of revenue to transportation needs in underserved communities.

Baker, a Republican, unilaterally entered the agreement under the Bay State’s law requiring emission reductions. The other two New England states, both with Democratic governors, require legislative approval to seal the deal, and lawmakers in each state balked.

The idea was launched in 2010 when environmental officials of these jurisdictions, as well as  Delaware, Maine, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont, signed onto a “declaration of intent,” though not directly committing to actions. Environmental…