TCI Regional Policy Design Stakeholder Submissions

Please consider that many who wish not to see a rise in personal fuel cost have not considered the true cost the present climate crisis we face will bring... not only economically to themselves but to the environment and future generations. It is our younger generations who will be experiencing the devastation of our present behavior and inaction, and who will be bearing a cost far greater than the few dollars increase a tank of gas may require. It is not their fault. They are not being apprised as to what is truly happening. It is imperative that a regional low-carbon transportation policy proposal be designed that would cap and reduce carbon emissions from the combustion of transportation fuels through a cap-and-invest program or other pricing mechanism… [and]… to complete the policy development process within one year, after which each jurisdiction will decide whether to adopt and implement the policy. Thank you for attending to this very urgent matter.

Our outdated transportation system is Maine’s largest source of climate pollution—and it doesn’t even meet the needs of Maine people.
Maine people deserve clean, modern, affordable transportation options that deliver economic, health, and climate benefits to local communities.
It makes sense for Maine to work with neighboring states through TCI’s bipartisan, proven policy model.

I believe the greatest crisis facing humankind is climate change. All life as we know it is in danger. Every effort must be made to reduce GHG ASAP! Ignorance and greed and fear of change lead some to ignore the reality of the climate crisis. Please do all in your power to improve our transportation system.

Thank you for this work and of course we need collaborative policy initiatives like this and much more. Right now, the well-off can buy our own way into the lowest carbon options, but they are expensive and out of reach of most people. Developing fair and comprehensive solutions that not only force change but are economically accessible is the real trick.
Gary Stern

Transportation is required for most jobs in Maine, particularly outside the larger denser population centers. But Maine is also greatly at risk from our low average income and sensitivity to petroleum based fuel prices. Maine is particularly sensitive to the health impacts of air pollution and many sectors of our economy are already feeling impacts of climate change. It is essential to our ability to thrive that clean transportation be a high priority and that funding be available to help rural Maine communities and residents take part, and not be left behind. Here in Somerville our quality of place depends on the ponds, streams, woods, farms and habitat. Yet 31% of people commute between 40 and 90 minutes, and overall, townspeople average about 30 minutes to commute to work, and nearly the same to visit a market. We need affordable clean transportation solutions.

Certainly a great idea not only do we need efficient well run alternative fuel public transportation but it must Be superbly well run reliable pick up or scheduled stops
Something akin to Go Go Grandparent managed by a super logarithm for rural or small town densities reliably well run
It’s a huge challenge
Yes our elders as well as youth need it
Good luck
May the best young brains be engaged in designing it

Carbon emissions and global climate change are issues that transcend all geopolitical boundaries. Carbon emissions are a sum total game. No matter where you live on the planet you are being impacted by rising carbon levels. The spot on the earth where the carbon is emitted is irrelevant. Each molecule contributes to the overall global level.
For this reason I wholeheartedly endorse the TCI. By virtue of it's regional approach, the TCI addresses the issue of carbon reduction on a scale that begins to match the scale of the problem. Furthermore, cap and invest programs and other financial motives have a proven track record in reducing emissions. Because we're all in this together, we'll have greater success if we act together.

Clean transportation in Maine is a must. We're already the 'tailpipe of America', so we don't need to be adding to the pollution. Climate change is upon us and that alone should be enough for our government to act to protect us all. Get on it -- time is wasting.

I strongly support Maine's participation in TCI. As the owner of a shellfish farm on the coast of Maine I know firsthand how greenhouse gases are causing profound changes in the marine environment. These changes are already costing my business real money and threaten our future survival. We must all take responsibility for our role in degrading the environment. TCI can reduce greenhouse gas emissions just the way that RGGI has, while at the same time improving the health and resiliency of our economy. It is a no brainer.