View Public Input on TCI-P

Virginia should join the TCI because the program is focused to decrease the harmful effects of climate change that humanity is inflicting on the earth. It is really that simple.

I wholeheartedly support the collaborative effort by TCI-P to reduce carbon emissions and invest in cleaner, more equitable and sustainable transportation systems. Multi-jurisdictional programs can help assure that projects are implemented and funded. We urgently need this kind of collaboration to save our earth and way of life.

The Southern Environmental Law Center supports the general concept and framework that has been established for the TCI program (TCI-P), as we have stated in previous joint comment letters that we have signed onto as well as comments we have submitted on our own behalf throughout the development of TCI-P.

The regional approach reflected in TCI-P offers significant potential to reduce the outsized climate impact of our transportation system by redirecting investments and policies toward cleaner vehicles, less auto-dependent development patterns, and more accessible and equitable transportation alternatives. As noted in the April 7, 2021 joint comment letter that SELC and more than 80 other transportation, health, environmental, business, labor, and community groups signed onto, there are aspects of the draft Model Rule that need to be strengthened to ensure TCI-P delivers an ambitious and equitable program. To be successful, TCI-P must result in meaningful emissions reductions and public health benefits while simultaneously redressing persistent inequities built into our current transportation system, inequities that too often result in a disproportionate distribution of transportation services—and pollution—among different communities based on race and income levels. In addition to strengthening the draft Model Rule, these aspects will also need to be squarely addressed in the state-specific implementation programs that each participating jurisdiction develops.

We look forward to continuing to participate in the development of TCI-P, both at the regional level and in the individual states within SELC’s region that are considering signing the Memorandum of Understanding.

I’m opposed to Virginia joining the TCI. It will cost consumers and businesses too much at the gas pump.

Individual choices for driving electric are good, but states need to work together to make bigger, better choices for our collective future. The electrification of transportation in the TCI region and the pricing of pollution will go a long way to cleaning the air and combating climate change.

Creating a crisis where there is none as a cover to harm and tax the people and their livelihoods is unacceptable. First it was the crisis of a global ice age. The science and data did not support these claims. Then these same people came up with global warming. But once again, the science and data did not support the charge of catastrophic rising of temperatures. Now it is climate change which describes the weather which must change by its nature if it never did then that itself would be a crisis. There is no catastrophic crisis related to weather, but there is fatal crisis as it relates to these solutions to non existent crisis. Stop these attacks on our free markets and our rights.

I'm sharing my input here because I support a strong TCI-P Model Rule that ensures meaningful climate action to address Virginia's largest driver of our climate crisis. Unfortunately, we no longer have the luxury of wasting time on the climate crisis. Luckily, a TCI-P Model Rule can actually benefit us in more ways than just addressing climate action. it also can direct significant investments to correcting historic inequities in overburdened and underserved communities and affords Virginia the opportunity for a cleaner, healthier transportation system. Any calls to reject or weaken the TCI Program are direct calls to ignore climate change and promote pollution.


I also support the TCI-P Model Rule to include a minimum investment amount to ensure overburdened and underserved communities in Virginia receive a greater-then-proportional share of investments from the program, integration of air quality commitments across Virginia, and robust empowerment of Virginia's Equity Advisory Body.

This is an opportunity for Virginia to take care of its most underserved and unprotected citizens.

Transportation emissions are a huge driver of climate change, accounting for nearly half of Virginia’s carbon output, while also emitting toxic air pollution that falls disproportionately on low-income populations and communities of color.

The Transportation and Climate Initiative Program (TCI-P) is a welcome step forward to addressing this major source of pollution, while steering needed investments in a modern, sustainable transportation system.

Funding provided by the TCI-P could help with ongoing efforts to put more electric vehicles on the road in Virginia along with equitably distributed charging infrastructure across the state.

The TCI-P also presents the opportunity to drive investments in a cleaner transportation system in the communities that have suffered the most from vehicle pollution. While the model rule calls for at least 35 percent of TCI proceeds to go toward frontline, impacted communities, here in Virginia I would hope we go above and beyond that benchmark, investing at least half of our TCI revenue in programs and infrastructure that will lower this disproportionate pollution burden.

I hope this important framework moves forward for the good of our climate, our health and our future.

Bridget McGregor

I support a strong TCI-P Model Rule that (1) ensures meaningful climate action to address Virginia's largest driver of our climate crisis, (2) directs significant investments to correcting historic inequities in overburdened and underserved communities; and (3) affords Virginia the opportunity for a cleaner, healthier transportation system.