View Public Input on TCI-P

We should take steps to be better stewards of the environment, but the Transportation Climate Initiative (TCI) is not an effective way to do that. The TCI would increase gas taxes to pay for corporate welfare handouts for favored industries and is not responsible public policy.

Our goal should be to remove barriers to innovation and empower people in communities and business to be better stewards of the environment. Subjecting consumers, businesses and entrepreneurs to taxes, mandates, and regulations will undermine the kind of ingenuity needed to achieve that goal.

Even if Virginia enters the TCI, the effect on transportation emissions would be negligible. In 2017, emissions from the transportation sector in Virginia were 15% lower than their peak in 2006. And even TCI proponents acknowledge that transportation-related emissions are set to decline an additional 19% in the TCI region without their regressive tax. Private sector innovation unhindered by government intervention and red tape is the better path forward to keep reducing our emissions.

Coming out of a 14 month pandamic, you are proposing an increase to our gas that is already seen a $.50 increase because of our President's careless actions to restrict the oil and gas industry. My husband and I live on a fixed income, one that cannot absorb a $1.00 increase in gas. We do not have the infrastructure to move away from gas driven vehicles, even if we wanted to. You govern a state that is not 100% left and you need to consider the fact that almost half of the state is conservative and this is an election year.
We do not need to belong to any organization that increase the costs in our daily life without having any direct improvement in the environment, by the way, the US is one of the cleanest countries in the world. Stop this crazy action.

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.

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. Think long term cleaner air, not short term financial gain. Thanks, Rick

I am strongly in favor of this program. TCI-P would decrease air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, improve community health, and generate revenue to promote faster progress toward a clean-energy economy. Any increase in gas prices is expected to be minimal (and, frankly, even that would not be a bad thing in terms of incentivizing people to drive less). In my view, there are no good arguments to be made against the program. We are facing a climate crisis - we need to do this!

This will certainly depress the economy in Virginia. There is no way this is helpful or useful. We cannot throw money at a vague concepts that are not understood and vastly overstated for some as yet undeclared purpose.

I support putting a "brake" on carbon emissions. This is not accomplished by building more Lanes....such as More Harmful HOTLanes in Northern VA with 495NEXT. More creative transit ideas must emerge instead.
VDOT & Transurban have long pursued this Land-grab without realistically considering the Significant Climate and Community Impacts.
In a small McLean, VA Area.... from Georgetown Pike (193) to George Washington Parkway....they want to Add 4 New HOTLanes, 2 New Bridges, Wider Elevated Access Lanes, and 3 Elevated Flyover Ramps at the GW Parkway Area.
There are 4 Schools within 1 mile of this proposed HOTLanes Area...with Cooper Middle School immediately Adjacent to 495 Beltway. There is also Langley Open Air Swim Club, with 1000 members, adjacent to 495.....and several adjacent Neighborhoods.
VDOT elected to do only a minimum EA, not and EIS. In-depth Factual Increased Environment Impacts have Not been Considered.
Increased Pollution, Noise and Stormwater are Not being Mitigated.
Construction Silica Dust has not been adequately studied, which poses many health concerns and is especially dangerous for Children.
Requests for Air Monitors for this already Polluted Beltway Area have been ignored. Air Monitors should be in place now and monitored for the Safety of our Children and Community.
The GW Parkway Area is currently a Jammed Merge Area before the American Legion Bridge and causes great Pollution from all the Idling Merging Cars.
Adding More HOTLanes to this Northern Merge Area will create MORE CONGESTION BACKUPS for 495, Local Access Lanes, Local Neighborhoods, McLean CBC, Corridors: 193-123-Old Dominion, TYSONS and the Region.
There are Major Climate Impact Concerns Resulting....along with Social Justice P3 issues.
If the 495Beltway Corridor is Congested with Traffic.... National Security Issues are also of Major Concern.

There must be a Better Solution for our Climate & the Community Wellbeing.
Thank you......April Georgelas

Virginia should join the TCI because the program is focused to decrease the harmful effects of climate change that humanity is inflicting on the earth. It is really that simple.