View Public Input on TCI-P

I call for the TCI-P Model Rule to include (1) a minimum investment amount to ensure overburdened and underserved communities in Virginia receive a greater-then-proportional share of investments from the program, (2) integration of air quality commitments across Virginia, and (3) robust empowerment of Virginia's Equity Advisory Body."

I strongly support the model-rule for the TCI program. A regional cap-and-trade program is essential to lower climate emissions of the biggest source here in my home state of Virginia.

Improvements to the as proposed rule would be:
- A more stringent cap to result in even larger GHG reductions. This is a nickel or dime on the cost of gas, which is already too cheap.
- A minimum investment in revenues to make sure overburdened and underserved communities in VA get more-then-proportional share of investments from the program.
- Acknowledgement that sufficient reductions require additional measures by TCI jurisdictions to reduce VMT and electrify their auto and truck fleets.
- Inclusion of affordable housing near transit as an eligible investment for TCI revenues.

Thank you.
Bill Pugh
Alexandria, VA

In the Commonwealth of Virginia, the transportation sector is the key (and essentially largest) polluter -- from particulates that harm human health to carbon emissions that worsen climate risks. Addressing transportation pollution will pay off for Virginians, in multiple ways, including that improved health will not just make us happier and reduce suffering but will also foster increased productivity in our businesses, offices, and schools. And, that reduced pollution will reduce environmental damages (local to global).

As well, the TCI-P is to be lauded as a tool to address environmental injustices driven by (for example) polluting diesel pollution in poorer communities. TCI-P revenue could, for example, be leveraged to accelerate electric school bus programs which will have tremendous benefits for the students, their neighborhoods, and for the Commonwealth in the near and long term.

The TCI-P offers a quite moderate, market-based tool to help foster a cleaner transportation system. Leveraging the market -- penalizing polluting transportation and incentivizing clean transportation -- will have real benefits for today's and tomorrow's Virginians and Virginia.

In the Commonwealth of Virginia, the transportation sector is the key (and essentially largest) polluter -- from particulates that harm human health to carbon emissions that worsen climate risks. Addressing transportation pollution will pay off for Virginians, in multiple ways, including that improved health will not just make us happier and reduce suffering but will also foster increased productivity in our businesses, offices, and schools. And, that reduced pollution will reduce environmental damages (local to global).

As well, the TCI-P is to be lauded as a tool to address environmental injustices driven by (for example) polluting diesel pollution in poorer communities. TCI-P revenue could, for example, be leveraged to accelerate electric school bus programs which will have tremendous benefits for the students, their neighborhoods, and for the Commonwealth in the near and long term.

The TCI-P offers a quite moderate, market-based tool to help foster a cleaner transportation system. Leveraging the market -- penalizing polluting transportation and incentivizing clean transportation -- will have real benefits for today's and tomorrow's Virginians and Virginia.

I support TCI-P as an effort to lower emission from the transportation sector and to raise revenue to fund the infrastructure we need to further reduce emissions and to support frontline communities who are disproportionately affected by pollution from transportation. I support efforts that recognize that market mechanisms can benefit environmental justice efforts and have the potential to build a broad base of political support. As a Christian and a dad I want to take aggressive action to give my kids a livable future and to steward God's beautiful creation.

No issue is more important than addressing the climate crisis and everything that can reasonably be done to minimize GHG emissions from the transportation sector should be undertaken. Please take into account that proposed actions by the Biden Administration should lessen the burden on the states and localities by providing funding for new infrastructure including charging stations and rail transit.

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.

I do not have the background to understand the technical aspects of your draft model. However, I do feel that it is important to make known to the public the plans being incorporated in the various districts. This can be through church organizations, climate change groups, and those involved in civic review. I just received this request for input this afternoon from Virginia Interfaith Power and Light the last day of comment period, but the last day was to be April 1st. It appears to me that there needs to be better outreach to grassroots organizations. The LWV of Richmond Metro has a Transportation Committee that want to know about these efforts and could spread the word in the community. It seems to me that more needs to be planned in the outreach area if you truly want to have the underserved and overly burdened to be able to have a say in what is happening.