4/28/2021 |
Wolfger |
Schneider |
BetternotbiggerVT.org |
Charlotte |
Vermont |
As I read between the lines of the TCI-P proposal, its effect will be to raise the price of fuel at the service station. This would of course burden the low income public that may need... read more As I read between the lines of the TCI-P proposal, its effect will be to raise the price of fuel at the service station. This would of course burden the low income public that may need transportation to make a living. How about a proposal that does not effect the price of fuel at the pump but does provide incentives for different mobility purchase choices?
A recent report noted that "....higher emissions from the market shift to larger, more powerful vehicles have swamped potential CO2 reductions from electric vehicles by a factor of five." Maybe it's time to tax fuel inefficient cars, upon purchase, for the price of lifetime CO2 generation above that of a fleet equivalent EV. Consider: with the social cost of CO2 at $50/ton, and each gallon of gasoline creating 20 lbs of CO2, the social cost of CO2 is about 1$/gal. An EV with a 100 mpge rating would thus create a CO2 social cost of $2000 over a lifetime of 200,000 miles. A vehicle getting only 25 mpg would create a social cost of $8000, $6000 more the the EV. That would be the tax upon purchase. Inclusion of this real cost to the environment might motivate purchasers of new cars to consider buying an EV over a gas guzzler. Revenue raised could be used to offset EV purchases. Low income people don’t typically buy new cars and would thus not be burdened by this extra cost upon purchase of a used car that has already paid the CO2 charge. For cars driven in VT but purchased outside the State, an age proportional charge would be asessed. |
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4/28/2021 |
Drew |
Stilson |
Environmental Defense Fund |
Washington |
District of Columbia |
EDF respectfully offers the attached comments and recommendations for consideration to the Draft Model Rule of the Transportation and Climate Initiative Program. We appreciate your consideration... read more EDF respectfully offers the attached comments and recommendations for consideration to the Draft Model Rule of the Transportation and Climate Initiative Program. We appreciate your consideration of these comments. |
EDF Comments on TCI Model Rule.pdf |
4/28/2021 |
Candy |
Jones |
350 Rutland County |
Rutlaand |
Vermont |
With only 10 years to drastically reduce our co2 emissions, the TCI must invoke the strongest possible financial consequences for the heaviest emitters, engage in massive public transportation... read more With only 10 years to drastically reduce our co2 emissions, the TCI must invoke the strongest possible financial consequences for the heaviest emitters, engage in massive public transportation overhauls, and collaborate with city planners to shift our cities and towns from auto friendly to pedestrian and bicycle friendly places. Recognizing that marginalized people often bear the brunt of consequences created by our fossil fuel dependence, all planning must include just transition initiatives that benefit those of less economic resources and power. |
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4/29/2021 |
Catherine |
Cooke |
VPIRG |
Burlington |
Vermont |
I believe clean, equitable transportation is a necessity for Vermont. There are many areas without regular public transportation which would allow people to commute to employment and also allow... read more I believe clean, equitable transportation is a necessity for Vermont. There are many areas without regular public transportation which would allow people to commute to employment and also allow elders and others who do not drive to visit and shop outside their neighborhoods.
thank you for putting time into this endeavor. Catherine Cooke |
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4/29/2021 |
Mason |
Emnett |
Exelon Corporation |
Washington |
District of Columbia |
Attached please see the comments of Exelon Corporation Attached please see the comments of Exelon Corporation |
20210429 TCI-P Comments - Exelon Corporation.pdf |
4/29/2021 |
W |
Liepmann |
taxpayer, resident, voter |
Middlesex |
Vermont |
Nourishing the VT Environmental warrants equal support with economic development. The environment and development are two equal blades of the shears with which humans carve the future of Vermont;... read more Nourishing the VT Environmental warrants equal support with economic development. The environment and development are two equal blades of the shears with which humans carve the future of Vermont; the future for our water, air, soil, living creatures and humans.
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4/30/2021 |
Carole |
O'Connell |
None |
Newport City |
Vermont |
As a senior who currently cannot afford to purchase and maintain a vehicle, I support the TCI-P. Public transportation needs to be ubiquitous, affordable, and accessible to all Vermonters,... read more As a senior who currently cannot afford to purchase and maintain a vehicle, I support the TCI-P. Public transportation needs to be ubiquitous, affordable, and accessible to all Vermonters, especially seniors and low-income folks. Public transportation can be electric; not everyone can afford to purchase an electric vehicle, so this will help the environment. It provides a way for people to get to jobs not located in their immediate environs, and connects communities, encouraging shopping, visiting family and friends, and attendance at events that currently require a vehicle to reach. Public transportation also needs to be advertised and encouraged, so Vermonters know it is available and affordable. |
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4/30/2021 |
Akara |
Draper |
none |
East Dummerston |
Vermont |
Dear Governor Scott,
I feel that it is imperative that Vermont join the TCI-P. The program needs to achieve three critical needs: it must strengthen the Vermont economy, reduce carbon... read more Dear Governor Scott,
I feel that it is imperative that Vermont join the TCI-P. The program needs to achieve three critical needs: it must strengthen the Vermont economy, reduce carbon pollution, and address equity – specifically the needs of communities that are overburdened by fossil fuel pollution and underserved by cleaner transportation options. Please support this.
Thank you for all that you do! Akara Draper |
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5/2/2021 |
Heather |
McLane |
Democrat |
MIDDLESEX |
Vermont |
Hi,
I am in support of TCI-P and hope that Gov. Scott joins. His lack of support for climate initiatives is why I didn't vote for him in the last election and I will vote for... read more Hi,
I am in support of TCI-P and hope that Gov. Scott joins. His lack of support for climate initiatives is why I didn't vote for him in the last election and I will vote for his opponent in the next election if he misses opportunity. My main concern is how to reimburse Vermonters who live in rural areas and can't switch to electric vehicles for a variety of reasons.
Thank you for your efforts to change policy so that we can try to protect our climate and our futures!
Thanks,
Heather |
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5/2/2021 |
Jennifer |
Kleindienst |
Self |
Middletown |
Connecticut |
Please see attached testimony. Please see attached testimony. |
2021 05 TCI-P Model Rule Public Comments.pdf |
5/3/2021 |
Brenda |
Miller |
Virginia Resident |
Fredericksburg |
Virginia |
I am not in support of this initiative due to the research and the tax/increase in fuel cost. I am not in support of this initiative due to the research and the tax/increase in fuel cost. |
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5/3/2021 |
Peter M |
Walton |
Virginia citizen |
Fredericksburg |
Virginia |
This effort is bad policy for Virginia to adopt. It penalizes those who communte long distance and offers no benefits to either the state's road systems. Studies indicate this regressive... read more This effort is bad policy for Virginia to adopt. It penalizes those who communte long distance and offers no benefits to either the state's road systems. Studies indicate this regressive form of taxation will not have the desired effects on the enviornment, actually providing negligible benefits while disprapotionately imposing higher commuting costs on low and middle income families. |
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5/3/2021 |
Sandra |
Cuddy |
Virginia resident |
Fredericksburg |
Virginia |
As a resident if Virginia, such a tax would make our retired lives here very difficult. Our income is limited. I’m not sure how we could afford transportation to the supermarket, doctor... read more As a resident if Virginia, such a tax would make our retired lives here very difficult. Our income is limited. I’m not sure how we could afford transportation to the supermarket, doctor appointments, volunteer opportunities, visits to our sons and grandchild who are an hour away, etc. We don’t live next to a main highway with mass transportation. The winters are too cold, the ice too slippery, no sidewalks, distances too far and we are too old to walk everywhere. We might have to move to a state that is more senior-friendly. I can’t even begin to imagine the hardship this will cause: gas or meds, gas or food, gas or internet, gas or life??? |
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5/4/2021 |
Katherine |
Nicholson |
Spotsylvania County Schools |
Spotsylvania |
Virginia |
I do not agree with this carbon emissions control. Raising the gas prices and cutting fixing the roads by 20% is not solving the problem of climate control. There is a toxic battery in the... read more I do not agree with this carbon emissions control. Raising the gas prices and cutting fixing the roads by 20% is not solving the problem of climate control. There is a toxic battery in the electric vehicles that need to find a safe way to dispose of them. It is no win, win situation. |
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5/4/2021 |
Jeffrey |
Williams |
Private citizen |
Fredericksburg |
Virginia |
As noted in the Free Lance-Star, this is an "all pain and no gain" proposal for drivers, especially low income rural and those who commute distances because they can't afford to... read more As noted in the Free Lance-Star, this is an "all pain and no gain" proposal for drivers, especially low income rural and those who commute distances because they can't afford to live in high cost cities. This proposal would take away critical funds needed to maintain roads that are still needed even if electric vehicle usage is increased, and cause hardship due to the prices increases passed on to consumers, all for .000018 degree C reduction in global warming (according to Dr. David Schnare, a 34 year veteran of the EPA). Add that to the madness of pushing electric vehicles which have a massive production impact on global warming and the environment that takes years to break even on from reduced emissions, and it is clear to see how the TCI-P is a bad idea. |
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5/4/2021 |
Glen |
Swain |
Virginia resident |
Spotsylvania |
Virginia |
No, this is a terrible idea. One former EPA veteran said of this plan, “In sum, TCI has no environmental benefits but would cost Virginians billions of dollars. That is an ‘all pain and no gain’... read more No, this is a terrible idea. One former EPA veteran said of this plan, “In sum, TCI has no environmental benefits but would cost Virginians billions of dollars. That is an ‘all pain and no gain’ program." No thanks! |
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5/4/2021 |
James |
Riordan |
Citizen |
Fredericksburg |
Virginia |
As stated in a recent Fredericksburg Free Lance Star article, this initiative is "all pain and no gain" for the citizens of Virginia. Imposing a significant tax on gas-powered vehicles... read more As stated in a recent Fredericksburg Free Lance Star article, this initiative is "all pain and no gain" for the citizens of Virginia. Imposing a significant tax on gas-powered vehicles while not taxing EVs, which actually cause a greater carbon deficit during their manufacture, is absurd. |
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5/4/2021 |
Kim |
McClellan |
private citizen |
Fredericksburg |
Virginia |
This seems like a terrible idea to me and will only serve to punish average citizens who do not want nor can they afford an electric vehicle. My job is 5 miles north, my kids go to school 10... read more This seems like a terrible idea to me and will only serve to punish average citizens who do not want nor can they afford an electric vehicle. My job is 5 miles north, my kids go to school 10 miles east and my husband works 50 miles away in DC. How exactly is increased transit going to efficiently and effectively deliver us all where we need to be? It won't, and the increased tax to purchase gasoline due to the TCI will be a huge burden to my family and others like us. The worst part is that the science is clear that electric vehicles are not the environmental panacea that the media would have us believe. They are carbon-intensive to produce and leave behind toxic used batteries. The most disgusting part of this is that it will yield so little positive impacts and seems to be just be yet another government overreach intended to control the way people live and take away any sort of individual decision-making. |
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5/4/2021 |
Mark |
Strickler |
Life-long Virginia Resident & Retired Virginia Educator |
Locust Grove |
Virginia |
The proposal for Virginia to join this initiative presents a lose-lose situation for the state and its citizens. The transportation corridors in Virginia are some of the most heavily traveled on... read more The proposal for Virginia to join this initiative presents a lose-lose situation for the state and its citizens. The transportation corridors in Virginia are some of the most heavily traveled on the East Coast and have NEVER been adequately maintained due to the political decision making at the Federal level, while the lifeline to the Federal government lies in the direct availability to Washington provided by Virginia's highways, which are maintained poorly with waning help from the area that benefits most from it.
There is a net negative benefit to Virginia's highway maintenance coffers with an almost infinitesimal reduction (0.000018 degrees Celsius) in the global temperature as a result. The cost of increased taxes levied on corporations will be passed on to consumers who will additionally pay higher energy costs. Virginia taxpayers lose all the way around.
Virginia should NOT join this fools errand. |
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5/4/2021 |
Matthew |
Ball |
VCU |
Richmond |
Virginia |
Please don’t add this tax. We cannot afford a program that yields virtually no benefit. Please don’t add this tax. We cannot afford a program that yields virtually no benefit. |
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