TCI Regional Policy Design Stakeholder Submissions

Material submitted through the TCI Public Input form from April 2019-February 2021 is viewable here. View input submitted from March 1, 2021 forward here. All material submitted on this page informed the participating jurisdictions in the 2019-2020 TCI regional policy design process. Click on the column headings to sort the submissions.

Date	First	Last	Affiliation	City	State	Input	File
11/6/2019	Richard	Wissler	retired, well OLD, craftsman/artist	Middlebury	Vermont	Who collects and decides how to employ the collected funds? This could easily be or devolve into just another layer of misappropriated bureaucracy. Who collects and decides how to employ the collected funds? This could easily be or devolve into just another layer of misappropriated bureaucracy.	-
11/6/2019	bernardo	alayza mujica	coasap	Sioux City	Iowa		-
11/6/2019	Jeanne	Cahill	citizen	Northborough	Massachusetts	I appreciate the stakeholder engagement process of the TCI. I attended the public workshop held at Roxbury Community College, Boston, on October 30. My concerns are: 1)complementary state... read more I appreciate the stakeholder engagement process of the TCI. I attended the public workshop held at Roxbury Community College, Boston, on October 30. My concerns are: 1)complementary state policies may be delayed or inhibited by the multistate TCI, 2) cap and invest alone will not change the consumption-culture driving habits, 3) evaluate promising or implemented greenhouse gas reduction programs, to vett pros/cons, to minimize unintended consequences and maximize effective reductions, payback, and public buy-in. 1) Massachusetts has pending legislation that puts a price on both transportation and heating fuels. H. 1726 bears consideration as a model that individual TCI states could adopt/adapt to fund green infrastructure and rebate equitably. Massachusetts has fast-tracked gas pipeline infrastructure permitting even as leaking gas contributes 10% of state greenhouse gas emissions. The state's 2008 mandate to reduce GHG 80% below 1990 (25% by 2020) impels action toward a low to net-zero energy future. This lack of policy coordination and decision making needs focus, among different state and multistate entities. Another complementary policy introduced in the state Senate is the Future Act S.1940, which pilots converting leaking gas infrastructure with a geothermal microgrid. 2) If producers profit more from low efficiency vehicles than non-luxury, high efficiency electric sedans, they push consumer choice to the former. Higher fuel prices then anger and derail public buy-in. The universally unpopular gas tax and ever-more popular large pickup truck are the result of how consumption is driven by producers. CAFE standards are needed for trucks. 3) continue the TCI stakeholder involvement and feedback process. Identify near and long-term win-wins for people and environment. Prioritize the least costly and healthiest alternatives - provide biking and walking trails everywhere! Thank you!	-
11/6/2019	Bryan	Garcia	Connecticut Green Bank	Rocky Hill	Connecticut	Please see attached Please see attached	Green Bank TCI input.pdf
11/6/2019	Matt	Macunas	Connecticut Green Bank	Rocky Hill	Connecticut	Please see attached comments from Electrify America, CT Green Bank, and Climate Neutral Business Network. Please see attached comments from Electrify America, CT Green Bank, and Climate Neutral Business Network.	EVCCC Input on TCI Nov 2019 Final.pdf
11/6/2019	Anne	Damrosch	Independant	Burlington	Vermont	Please support the Transportation and Climate Initiative. It is crucial now, more than ever, for states to lead in climate action. We can't afford to wait for a new administration. We must... read more Please support the Transportation and Climate Initiative. It is crucial now, more than ever, for states to lead in climate action. We can't afford to wait for a new administration. We must join other states in solutions that work.	-
11/7/2019	Gretchen	Elias	community member and parent	MONTPELIER	Vermont	I strongly support this initiative. I would like to see TCI revenues invested in an equitable way, so that low and middle income households do not bear the brunt of this necessary transition.... read more I strongly support this initiative. I would like to see TCI revenues invested in an equitable way, so that low and middle income households do not bear the brunt of this necessary transition. Investments should target policies and initiatives that help transform our region from a car-dependent one to one in which gas-powered single occupancy vehicles are no longer the norm. That means significant investment in public transit as well as in alternative transportation options, EV infrastructure and subsidies/incentives for lower income households to purchase EVs, as well as smart growth land use policies, transit-oriented development, and affordable housing that is transit-accessible.	-
11/7/2019	Wolfger	Schneider	Retired engineer	Charlotte	Vermont	I'm told that: TCI is a multi-state plan to cap emissions from the transportation sector, auction off permits to distribute fossil fuels in the participating states and use the auction... read more I'm told that: TCI is a multi-state plan to cap emissions from the transportation sector, auction off permits to distribute fossil fuels in the participating states and use the auction revenues to invest in low-carbon transportation solutions. This approach, if understood by me, seems to lead to scarcity followed by higher prices (an indirect fuel tax/fee). Where's the equity in this? I'm also told that: Despite RGGI’s success regionally, carbon pollution is rising in Vermont (as I suspect is so in other states). The increase is driven primarily by an increase in greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector, our cars and trucks. As I look around the parking lots, I see larger and larger automobiles and pickup trucks every year with the concomitant worse mileage in most cases. Manufacturers' pursuit of greater profits push for larger vehicles for safety and indirectly for status. Since we wouldn't want to/can't limit vehicle choice, maybe we should have a CO2 mileage levy on each vehicle that is dependent on annual mileage driven, and EPA mileage rating. This levy could be established at the annual inspection from odometer readings and be progressive with the EPA mileage rating, so that unnecessarily large vehicles in effect pay more for the mostly unnecessarily greater CO2 emission. Mileages could be reported to the DMV and car registration renewal would be dependent on the payment of the levy.	-
11/7/2019	Steve	Pileski	Maine tax payer	Franklin	Maine	This policy goes against the law of phisics, Maine economy cannot support this initiative. Please reconsider This policy goes against the law of phisics, Maine economy cannot support this initiative. Please reconsider	-
11/7/2019	steve	gagliardone	Vermont Resident	Sharon	Vermont	To TCI Planners- Thank you for taking the time to listen to my input. Vermont is bound by law to significantly reduce carbon and increase renewable energy sources. Many critics... read more To TCI Planners- Thank you for taking the time to listen to my input. Vermont is bound by law to significantly reduce carbon and increase renewable energy sources. Many critics of carbon reduction proposals have argued that the small state of Vermont cannot do it alone. TCI provides a prime opportunity to take a regional approach to carbon pollution reduction. And it has the data of a similar and very successful RGGI program to back it up. Of course, Vermont needs to do this and much more. We need a suite of complementary policies to help us meet our legal obligation, but TCI is an opportunity that we cannot pass up. In planning the TCI program I hope that you consider these 3 priorities in your design: 1. Prioritize equity so that low income Vermonters without access to public transportation are the primary beneficiaries of low carbon transportation options. 2.Polluters, including fossil fuel companies should pay the real costs for the environmental and health consequences of their product. 3. Start the cap low and drop it rapidly. Vermont is way behind in our obligation to meet the reduced carbon goals, and we need an aggressive approach to get back on track. Thanks for listening! Steve Gagliardone Sharon, VT	-
11/7/2019	Karim	Beers	Cce Tompkins program coordinator	Ithaca	New York	The framework looks good. The cap and invest program won't be enough to meet climate targets. Starting in early 2022 is not soon enough. Can you pilot this next year on a smaller level to... read more The framework looks good. The cap and invest program won't be enough to meet climate targets. Starting in early 2022 is not soon enough. Can you pilot this next year on a smaller level to work out kinks and answer questions? Thank you	-
11/7/2019	Zachary	Bell	Central Maine Community College	Norway	Maine	Thank you for doing this work! As someone who is deeply worried about the environmental costs of fossil fuel based transportation, I was excited to hear about this initiative. I... read more Thank you for doing this work! As someone who is deeply worried about the environmental costs of fossil fuel based transportation, I was excited to hear about this initiative. I hope TCI will pursue ambitious solutions that both reduce the impacts of human transportation, and make wise long-term investments in local economies. Good luck with the project.	-
11/7/2019	Jennifer	Holan	concerned citizen and VPIRG supporter	Westminster	Vermont	It is vital that we take steps to curb emissions from all sectors, but regulation will be needed to control wasteful transportation consumption. The most effective action would be to develop an... read more It is vital that we take steps to curb emissions from all sectors, but regulation will be needed to control wasteful transportation consumption. The most effective action would be to develop an extensive and reliable system of affordable public transport; but until that's done every emitter must pay for the damage. As things are now, people idle their engines with impunity, and it drives me crazy!	-
11/8/2019	Phyllis	Capanna	Citizen of Maine	Oakland	Maine	Yes, please do develop low carbon emission transportation systems for the state of Maine. Not only does our transportation system contribute to climate degradation in our state, but it is also set... read more Yes, please do develop low carbon emission transportation systems for the state of Maine. Not only does our transportation system contribute to climate degradation in our state, but it is also set up to exclude the most vulnerable citizens: the poor, the elderly, the disabled and the sick. Elders are isolated and access to healthcare is limited for anyone without a car or truck. Depending on outside contractors, such as Uber and Lyft, will exacerbate the carbon emissions problem and do little to address the needs of more remote citizens. Even in a little city like Waterville, where I live, the population is hardly big enough to make cabbing a viable occupation. Everybody loses in the current system. I wholeheartedly endorse accessible, low carbon, affordable transportation systems in Maine. It will serve businesses and individuals alike, and it's the right thing to do. The future is moving away from fossil fuels. Let's not get any more behind the curve than we already are.	-
11/8/2019	Eric	Hauser	IBEW Local 2154	West Seneca	New York	I am concerned about the cost of this initiative and would like to know the expected cost increase to a gallon of gasoline. I am concerned about the cost of this initiative and would like to know the expected cost increase to a gallon of gasoline.	-
11/8/2019	Joseph	Huerta	Voter	Chicopee	Massachusetts	This is nothing but a tax on the poorest amongst us. This is not the way to fix climate change. Free market solutions are a day better long term solution that will not harm the population. This is nothing but a tax on the poorest amongst us. This is not the way to fix climate change. Free market solutions are a day better long term solution that will not harm the population.	-
11/8/2019	KATHLEEN	BRUSSEAU	CPA	WOBURN	Massachusetts	This is without a doubt a regressive tax. Not only will poorer taxpayers bear the pain in the gas purchase, but every item purchased will also increase because of the added cost of transporting... read more This is without a doubt a regressive tax. Not only will poorer taxpayers bear the pain in the gas purchase, but every item purchased will also increase because of the added cost of transporting the item. The best way to fight environmental issues is to allow the free innovation of a free market. As long as there is a desire for change, there will be brilliant people finding the answers. The government should not be hurting the poorest taxpayers. Please don't do this!	-
11/8/2019	Eleanor	Greene	Mrs.	JAMAICA PLAIN	Massachusetts	I am against this gas tax I am against this gas tax	-
11/8/2019	Mike	Croteau	Voter	Chicopee	Massachusetts	This is a terrible idea and do not support it in anyway whatsoever This is a terrible idea and do not support it in anyway whatsoever	-
11/8/2019	Lisa	Will	Citizen	Lawrence	Massachusetts	No taxation without representation. You do not decide for everyone. This is not a dictatorship. No taxation without representation. You do not decide for everyone. This is not a dictatorship.	-

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