Intercounty Connector Would Increase Oil Dependence

Environmental Defense today released a report that demonstrated that the proposed Intercounty Connector (ICC) would increase Maryland’s oil dependence and thus increase greenhouse gas pollution.  The report found that, compared to more environmentally friendly and less costly options outlined in a recent study by Environmental Defense and other groups, the ICC would increase fuel demand by 11% within 25 years.  The report can be viewed at www.environmentaldefense.org/go/iccoptions.

“This report is further evidence that there are better options out there than the ICC,” said Environmental Defense transportation director Michael Replogle.  “A combination of toll lanes on existing freeways, improved transit and more balanced growth can give drivers and riders better travel options with less time wasted in traffic and less harm to the environment.  The legislature should reject the Governor’s proposal to undo current curbs on excess debt just to build the ICC and instead consider cheaper alternatives that will help consumers reduce fuel use and, hopefully, trips to the ATM.”

The ICC creates an unnecessary burden of increased fuel use, which heightens America’s dependence on foreign oil and increases greenhouse gas pollution.  Maryland’s transportation fuel use has increased nearly 2% annually over the last decade.  According to the Environmental Defense study, building the ICC will increase regional petroleum fuel demand by 5% over the next 25 years compared to the no-build option and 11% compared to other alternatives.

In contrast, a combination of improvements to existing roads, better transit, and balanced growth studied by Environmental Defense would cut fuel demand by 6% over that same time period.  That translates to a savings of 29 million gallons of petroleum fuels annually — and $31 million less being transferred from the pockets of Maryland consumers to the hands of oil producers.  The corresponding reduction of 260,000 tons of climate change pollution is like removing all of the emissions from 1-month’s operation of the Dickerson Generating Station - the top emitter in Montgomery County.

The proposed ICC also raises energy security risks by increasing oil dependence and it would detract from homeland security by squandering resources that could be applied to improving regional emergency response systems and evacuation management.