View Public Input on TCI-P

This is nothing more than the creation of a bloated bureaucracy.

If you want to reduce pollution, tax the source of the pollution: fuel. Period. Increased taxes on fossil fuel will eventually make 'green' power more affordable and it will do it in a controlled fashion without the waste associated with your bloated bureaucracy.

Incentives for home owners to install roof top solar power would be a nice addition to fuel taxes.

We in Virginia do NOT need this approach to pollution reduction.
Regards,
Bls

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.

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

The transportation sector is the largest generator of greenhouse gases in Virginia. I support a strong TCI-P Model Rule that ensures significant climate action to address this major contributor to the climate crisis, directs investments to correcting inequities in overburdened and underserved communities; and gives Virginians a cleaner, healthier transportation system.

I strongly support TCI-P. Transportation emissions are a major contributor to climate change and in Virginia, amount to nearly half of Virginia’s carbon output. The science is clear and the clock is ticking. We must aggressively address emissions from this sector if we hope to make real progress on combatting climate change.

TCI-P will also help reduce harmful air pollutants emitted by transportation sources. Accordingly to the American Lung Association, while these pollutants impact the health of everyone, they have a disproportionate impact on low-income populations and communities of color.

TCI-P generated funding will allow Virginia to invest in a modern, sustainable transportation system. It will support ongoing efforts to increase the electric vehicles and ensure adequate and equitably distributed charging infrastructure throughout the Commonwealth.

I urge you to support for this critical framework to help stave off the worst of the climate crisis, allow us to invest in a modern cleaner transportation system, and improve the health in communities hurt the most by transportation related pollution.

Thank you,
Sharon Shutler

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.

WE DO NOT NEED A 50 CENT INCREASE IN GAS=THEY ARE JUST TRYING TO MAKE US DEPENDENT ON THEM=NO WAY

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 am opposed to Virginia joining the TCI (Transportation Climate Initiative) for a number of reasons:
1) The technology for developing alternative, carbon-neutral energy sources has not reached a point where it is affordable, available and environmentally safe, and with regard to certain “sustainable” energy systems, will enrich the coffers of the CCP where at least 80% of solar panels are manufactured;
2) We have not learned the lesson of decimating the coal industry without having suitable energy source replacements or job training for conversion;
3) Virginia is attempting to restore its economic footing and presumably regain its ranking as one of the best states in which to do business – to attract new or transferring industry;
4) This will contribute significantly to inflation as the costs of everything that requires delivery will escalate dramatically, particularly what is delivered by the trucking industry;
5) This includes new or re-hab housing costs, which are already suffering from distribution delays;
6) This will affect the affordability of food – and hence will have dramatic effects on the nutrition and health of the American public, particularly those at the lower end of the economic spectrum (see in particular fruits and vegetables);
7) The disadvantage to rural citizens is immense – access to health care – even with telemedicine since broadband is certainly less available – access to employment, and access to life in general will be disproportionately affected;
8) The resultant increase in gas at the pump will disproportionately affect senior citizens – who suffer from more than enough isolation as it is – because they are on fixed incomes and not at an age where they can find or qualify for employment – and rural seniors are often in areas with minimal transportation alternatives as it is;
9) It will have the greatest impact on small businesses that can ill afford the related costs this entails and will throw a major wet blanket over entrepreneurial endeavors;
10) It will, I have no doubt, increase unemployment in Virginia – and the Commonwealth seems to be having a “slight” problem handling the unemployment claims we currently have.
I sincerely hope this is rejected – or at least tabled until technology actually makes it remotely feasible.
Kim Smith, Madison