View Public Input on TCI-P

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 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.

The cost of climate change will be reduced by programs such as the TCI-P. The longer we wait to mitigate climate change, the more it will cost in the future.

Transportation is the biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the region, as well as dangerous particulates that cause health problems like asthma. Particulate emissions especially impact those near major roads, which often include lower income and minority communities. To solve these problems we need to move to a clean transportation system, and a clean-energy economy. TCI-P will greatly help the region do this – it will improve air quality, lower health care costs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and generate revenue for other environmental initiatives to further accelerate our progress.

I support a strong TCI-P Model Rule that (1) ensures meaningful climate action to address the largest driver of our climate crisis, (2) directs significant investments to correcting historic inequities in overburdened and underserved communities; and (3) affords the opportunity for a cleaner, healthier transportation system. I call for the TCI-P Model Rule to include (1) a minimum investment amount to ensure overburdened and underserved communities receive a greater-then-proportional share of investments from the program, (2) integration of air quality commitments across the region, and (3) robust empowerment of state equity advisory bodies

The Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition supports 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.

We 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.

Global warming is a crisis we must address - mainly get rid of carbon emissions. I support this effort!

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 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.

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.

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