View Public Input on TCI-P

Why shouldn't agents of ecologic devastation (from litterbugs to corporations) be fined a sum commiserate with the cost of clean-up? Why hasn't such legislation already been enacted ...what are we waiting for... a tipping point? Call or write your representatives, your town government, your governors, neighbors, kith and kin, and don’t forget your president! We Need Climate Action RIGHT NOW!

The purchase of 'allowances' does not adequately serve the purpose of reducing emissions. This cost is simply passed down to the consumer; ultimately wreaking havoc on GDP. There needs to be major tax 'incentives' to produce cleaner energy and reduce GHG. If 'clean energy' becomes synonymous with 'profitability', then the stated goals of this plan are much more likely to succeed. Simply incorporating additional costs only hurts the very people you're trying to protect and is not really an equitable solution on its own. There are many who do wish to 'go green', but the startup is simply too cost prohibitive. Please add financial INCENTIVES to this plan, as the money made from 'allowances' (over the course of inflation that comes with this type of activity) will ultimately end up being next to worthless. The fact is, we should have cut out GHG a LONG time ago. We are already overdue and the fact that corporations can just pay-up and that somehow makes it ok is an insult to our planet, voting citizens and our children. The earth doesn't work that way. 'Paid-for emissions' are still emissions. Greener energy should be a REQUIREMENT, at this point. Gas stations change their pricing constantly, and drivers who commute are not going to stop driving. Since, COVID, driving has even become many individuals full-time job. And electric vehicles provide no benefit to our environment if the electricity they use still comes from the burning of fossil fuels. Consumers still require energy. Added costs, simply get passed down to the end-users who have even less means to make an impact. Ultimately, change rests in the hands of the producers of that energy. As such, clean energy production should be mandated, if not strongly encouraged through credits and tax incentives. Simply taxing emissions, as we've already witnessed over the years, does absolutely NOTHING to produce the desired change this policy lays out. Please provide the 'carrot' AND 'the stick' to ensure our children have a habitable world to live in.

I live in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont in the border town of Norton. Our primary industry is maple syrup production and tourism both very dependent on local state managed roads, not the interstate. I ask for support of local connectivity projects that will help our local economy and improve the local climate impacts.

Very important to invest in cleaner, more equitable and resilient transportation system NOW.

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."

In any and all plans, it is a MUST that all communities be brought to the table. By this I mean, community-specific outreach must be made to communities whose voices in the past have been absent due to inequities of income, class, education, occupation, race, and culture. In our community of Winooski, the most diverse in Vermont, it took Students to educate the Schools on racial equity, for example!

Attention to Equity in addressing Climate and Energy is essential for our country's future. Whether farmer, hourly service worker or caregiver, immigrant, tradesperson, or businessperson, educator, or what have you, some people will be more apt to show up in this kind of questionnaire. If groups of people are not being heard from, reach out to them. I believe this will result in the most effective and just changes going forward.

Thank you,
Kathleen Voigt Walsh
Winooski, VT 05404

Thank you for reaching out to the public as the Draft Model Rule is in development. I have read a number of comments with attention and, speaking as a Vermonter, it is clear that a regional public transportation initiative will benefit Vermont as well as the Northeast in vital ways. I note that as we have a growing older population the value of public transportation will only increase. Well-planned public transportation is of value locally—which cannot be overemphasized, as we are so far behind in this area as a country, but high-speed train service, as in Europe, for longer distances should be included if we want the Northeast to boom economically in the post-fossil fuel age we are entering. What’s more, in a post-Covid era, with office workers likely to work from home much more often, we have a chance to boost rural areas that have been suffering population drain by at long last planning a truly effective network for public transportation. Train—and electrical bus—commuting can, if properly designed, reduce CO-2 emissions, but they alsoo have other benefits, suh as reduced stress and increased effective working hours for those who commute. I speak as someone who commuted by bus and train for ten years. We humans have constructive capacities. This Draft Model Rule reflects that, especially in its regional rather than state-based thinking. It’s time to move on to a healthier and also more economically sound transportation system. I hope Vermont will soon join the coalition.

I believe it is important for the TCI-P Model Rule to include a minimum investment amount to ensure overburdened and underserved communities in Virginia receive a greater-then-proportional share of investments from the program, integration of air quality commitments across Virginia, and robust empowerment of Virginia's Equity Advisory Body.

I support the Transportation and Climate Initiative Program (TCI-P). We need to take action.