At 12:30 on December 14, 2018, 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 announced the release of the Commission’s groundbreaking report, “Choices for Stewardship: Recommendations to Meet the Transportation Future: Volume I”.  The report details scenarios and recommendations for the Commonwealth to create a 21st century “mobility infrastructure” that will prepare the Commonwealth and its municipalities to capitalize on emerging changes in transportation technology and behavior and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  These recommendations will put Massachusetts at the forefront of the United States in transportation policy. The report contains 18 recommendations, including recommendations on the following key areas:

• 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
• 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 transportations sector accelerates

Governor Baker appointed our colleague, Steve Silveira, Senior Vice President at ML Strategies, an affiliate of Mintz, to the Commission on the Future of Transportation in the Commonwealth.  Steve is also a member 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.