View Public Input on TCI-P

As noted in the Free Lance-Star, this is an "all pain and no gain" proposal for drivers, especially low income rural and those who commute distances because they can't afford to live in high cost cities. This proposal would take away critical funds needed to maintain roads that are still needed even if electric vehicle usage is increased, and cause hardship due to the prices increases passed on to consumers, all for .000018 degree C reduction in global warming (according to Dr. David Schnare, a 34 year veteran of the EPA). Add that to the madness of pushing electric vehicles which have a massive production impact on global warming and the environment that takes years to break even on from reduced emissions, and it is clear to see how the TCI-P is a bad idea.

Joining the TCI is NOT good for Virginia, Virginia's approach to the so called "climate crisis" should be based on only what the citizens of Virginia decide are best for Virginia. The increase in fuel costs and additional regulations the TCI will bring will be an unnecessary burden for Virginians and in the long run will be shown to be totally meaningless.

This is not a tax on gasoline and diesel! This is a more accurate accounting of the true cost of gasoline and diesel. It is an elimination of the free-ride subsidy gasoline and diesel have enjoyed for years. It’s time for us to stop pretending that using gasoline and diesel has no cost: it does.

The funds collected don’t just vanish, either. The TCI proposal directs them in a productive way to clean up the transportation system, which benefits us all, and will begin paying off immediately.

Gas prices will not skyrocket! Any increases the distributors pass on will be well below the normal fluctuations we all live with. Even setting the highest cap with 25% reduction will be almost unnoticeable at the pump. Distributors will continue to compete with each other on price. Let the free market rule!

Some say this will have a negligible effect on reducing emissions. This argument assumes a baseline that already has a huge uptake of EV’s, which we are no where close to yet. We should think of TCI as insurance against the mischief and backsliding supported by fossil fuel interests.

It’s time to start being responsible for our actions.

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 also urge 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.

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.

Please see the attached letter from Transit Forward Philadelphia, Pittsburghers for Public Transit, RACCE, CHISPA Maryland, Transport Hartford Academy, Make the Road Connecticut, Clean Air Council, and Dream Corps Green For All in response to the Model Implementation Plan, Strategies for Regional Collaboration, and Draft Framework on Public Engagement.

Please do not join the TCI for the sake of every category of wage earners as the cost of living has already gone up to high!!

I AM DEFINITELY OPOSED TO VIRGINIA JOINING TCI! I am retired but I have compassion for those people who have to drive to work everyday because there is not public transportation available.