View Public Input on TCI-P

Please see Green For All's attached public comment in response to the Draft TCI-P Model Rule and Update on Public Engagement Planning documents. Thank you for your consideration.

Dear sir:
We want to know the impact of low carbon renewable ethanol produced in the southeast may have in the TCI P.
1. Will there be an incentive per gallon for low carbon index ethanol produced like the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) implemented in California?
2. Will the regulated fuel supplier be able to reduce their purchases allowances if they use lower carbon index ethanol or higher blending fuels such E15, E85?

Juan Briceno

Please see the attached "Equity Advisory Body Principles" submitted by RACCE, Transit Forward Philadelphia, BlueGreen Alliance, Dream Corps Green For All, Pittsburghers for Public Transit, Clean Air Council, NAACP New York State Conference, Virginia State Conference NAACP, Transport Hartford, Chispa Maryland, and Make the Road CT.

I find the proposed structure of this proposal dubious and annoying.It seems to posit that through a complicated structure that pressures the sources of transportation carbon emission we will decrease carbon emissions while protecting lower income folks.Simultaneously its proponents,like Governor Baker, downplay any affect upon the actual price of gasoline and diesel fuel. If you want to do this,I suppose it's better than nothing,unless it's an ineffectual distraction. What is the goal,anyway?The goal is to copy Norway and S.Korea,which will outlaw the sale of gasmobiles in 2025. How is Norway doing this?It's quite simple.When one visits the car dealership in Norway one is presented with two versions of the same car,one electric,one gasoline.The electric one is cheaper to drive off the lot.(Not even considering cost of ownership,lack of repair,etc).So,it's not rocket science.By 2025 in Norway buying a gasmobile will be like now,in the US,buying a Blackberry instead of an I-phone.I suppose it's possible to buy a Blackberry,but why would you? My proposal to add to the TCI? Every day I drive on the Turnpike and see cars,at least as expensive as mine to buy,consuming gasoline.Are they quicker than my car?Likely not.Safer? Likely not,since my car is the safest.Are they more in a hurry and needing to drive 200plus miles without stopping to refuel.Likely not. So here is my proposal,which should not affect lower income folks.Anyone rich enough to buy a gasoline car,new,in 2021 for more than $35,000 should have to pay a yearly pollution tax of $1000 .We don't want pollution,right?(as opposed to employment,investment,etc).We are indirectly paying for all this pollution now.These polluters are increasing my risk of Alzheimer's disease and heart attack.If they want to pollute,let them pay for the privilege.
Use the fee collected to pay for ev rebates for lower income folks. Or for electric school buses. In 2022 raise the fee to $2000 yearly,2023 to $3000,etc. This only applies to cars selling for more than $35,000.That use gasoline.The alternative to paying such fees,for a car costing new $35,000,after rebate,doesn't take a Google search. This would not affect lower income folks,although ultimately,as is true now,low mileage used ev cars will become more available. What will happen to gasoline prices?Unclear.Fewer people will be driving gasomobiles,less demand? But if everyone drives an ev,who will care what gasoline is?Or will we care more to not put up with its stink?And tax its pollution accordingly?

I am copying what you are proposing to do. You call yourselves The Metropolitan Group. Well there is a Federally mandated planning group established in all the metropolitan areas of the US that already do what you are proposing to do. How do I know that? I used to be the Director of Planning for the Federal Transit Administration and all transportation planning and related air quality issues were addressed by the Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO). Each MPO has a Public Advisory Committee that is pulled from communities in their planning areas. I also serve on the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board - Public Advisory Committee representing Howard County, MD. MPOs are also funded by the USDOT to deal with the car and transit areas. Both areas contribute 40% of CO2 emissions.
1. Facilitate critical equity conversations with environmental, climate and transportation justice groups and other stakeholders regarding how to ensure that their considerations are at the center of the implementation phase of TCI-P.
2. Work with communities to co-create and develop a TCI-P model framework for public engagement.
3. Provide technical assistance to equity and environmental justice stakeholders to support their meaningful and informed engagement in the design and implementation of TCI equity proposals, decarbonization strategies and investments. For example, this will include support for enhanced public engagement and communications to ensure equity and environmental justice principles are embedded into TCI-P documents and materials, public engagement processes, targeted investment strategies and proposed projects.
4. Facilitate the collaborative engagement of equity and environmental justice stakeholders in designing, implementing, and participating in TCI-P Equity Advisory Bodies. 5. Create plain language communication materials that seeks to make the Transportation and Climate Initiative Program more understandable and accessible to a broader cross section of stakeholders. Translated materials will also be made available

I would like to know what the TCI does to help the American Taxpayer/ homeowner. If we are to pay more for the price of fossil fuels which we use to heat our homes and get to work. I would like to know what the reward is or the benefit of us paying more. I would greatly appreciate a reply. Thank you