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10/1/2019 |
Adelheid |
Koepfer |
Individual |
Wallingford |
Connecticut |
As a mom, what comes to mind first are the school busses. Please include in the MOU and work towards replacing ALL diesel school busses with electric busses, and support school districts in doing... read more As a mom, what comes to mind first are the school busses. Please include in the MOU and work towards replacing ALL diesel school busses with electric busses, and support school districts in doing so! Diesel stinks, makes the kids sick, is expensive, and wrecks havoc to the environment and the busses are loud. It is of utmost urgency to finally replace all busses with healthy, quiet, emission-“free” alternatives.
As financing system, I propose the “fee & dividend” model as exemplified by Citicens’ Climate Lobby in Congress, HR 763. Fee on carbon is raised at the source (well, or port of entry), and dividend is reimbursed to the people. Cap and trade has not yielded enough results in the last decade or so, we need a more comprehensive model. With distribution of dividends to the people, everyone can keep up with raising costs, especially lower income families. Business could “earn” dividend in relation to number of employees, see the bill that was proposed in CT General Assembly.
Fee and dividend has been accepted by Nobel prize winners and countless other economists as the best, quickest, most transparent and most effective way to reduce emissions. It works for transportation as well.
Other issues: push EV charging infrastructure, make public transit more attractive (eg New Haven-Springfield line has no commuter trains for morning rush hour, how silly is that?), get freight off the roads and on the tracks, decrease truck traffic, incentivize car pools and car sharing, support local electric bus lines!, stop sprawling parking lots, push better efficiency in air and sea traffic... |
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1/30/2020 |
Adelheid |
Koepfer |
Public |
Wallingford |
Connecticut |
Connecticut’s transportation sector is the biggest single emitter of greenhouse gas emissions in the state at 38% of the total. This is a climate crisis, and we must immediately work to address... read more Connecticut’s transportation sector is the biggest single emitter of greenhouse gas emissions in the state at 38% of the total. This is a climate crisis, and we must immediately work to address the greatest challenge of our generation. Will TCI alone stop global warming? Of course not, but it is a valuable and urgent contribution.
Addressing greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles also means immediate health benefits for our most overburdened populations as a result of improved air quality and fewer emissions of localized pollutants responsible for cancer and respiratory and cardiovascular ailments, among other adverse health impacts. School busses are a perfect example: discontinuing diesel busses and replacing them with electric busses will directly benefit the health our school kids, just as EVs do in general. Please support and implement the transition to EV.
Please limit urban sprawling and road/ interstate expansion, and focus instead on centers for future development, as well as connecting rural areas via public transportation. |
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2/21/2020 |
Adelheid |
Koepfer |
Resident |
Wallingford |
Connecticut |
Thank you to the Initiative for working towards a clean transportation future. It is most urgently needed!
Please also consider the following suggestions:
- Electrification of... read more Thank you to the Initiative for working towards a clean transportation future. It is most urgently needed!
Please also consider the following suggestions:
- Electrification of school bus fleets. Cities and school districts, including in colder climate areas, are demonstrating that this is economically viable. Financial incentives and/or creative financing options are needed for school districts as this will affect the health of not only future but current students
- instead of cap-and-trade, please consider Fee-and-Dividend systems like the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividen Act (Initiative supported by Citizens’ Climate Lobby), that would take care of the worries of low/ fixed income regional residents about raised prices
- with all due respect, even the most modern diesel is still not clean. Neither diesel nor natural gas should be part of any long term plan for transportation
- more public transportation along our main traffic axis. Daily commutes to/ from/ between larger cities need to become mostly public, more affordable and more convenient than individual traffic
Please keep working on this Initiative, keep integrating as much public input and scientific data as possible, publicize all findings, and urge regional legislations to implement asap! Thank you. |
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6/23/2019 |
Adeline |
Louie |
The Climate Mobilization |
Kensington |
Maryland |
Can we look into instituting similar programs on federal, state, or local levels similar to what California is doing?
http://www.baaqmd.gov/~/media/files/communications-and-outreach/... read more Can we look into instituting similar programs on federal, state, or local levels similar to what California is doing?
http://www.baaqmd.gov/~/media/files/communications-and-outreach/publications/news-releases/2019/ccfa_190501_2019_017-pdf.pdf?la=en
a sort of cash for clunkers type program for lower income citizens to encourage trading in ICE cars for plug ins. |
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2/28/2020 |
Adeline |
Louie |
none |
Kensington |
Maryland |
Maryland should make a make a firm commitment to adopt a regional transportation policy that achieves a minimum of 40 percent reduction in transportation sector climate pollution by 2030, to keep... read more Maryland should make a make a firm commitment to adopt a regional transportation policy that achieves a minimum of 40 percent reduction in transportation sector climate pollution by 2030, to keep us on track to meet the climate goals updated by the MD State General Assembly in 2016.
I have participated in several of the TCI (Transportation and Climate Initiative) workshops held in in MD. Please support the TCI and protect it against the oil lobbies. It will reduce GHG emissions and air pollution from land transportation vehicles which will save lives, create more jobs locally, and save Marylanders money. |
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10/25/2019 |
Adinah |
Barnett |
citizen of the world |
Portland |
Maine |
I have seen maps of the old trolley system that linked every little town in Maine with every other little town. Brilliant! If GM and other companies invested in fossil fuels hadn't taken it... read more I have seen maps of the old trolley system that linked every little town in Maine with every other little town. Brilliant! If GM and other companies invested in fossil fuels hadn't taken it upon themselves to eradicate those trolley public transportation systems with the advent of the personal-use automobile, we would be far better off today. If the Koch brothers wren't actively undermining public transportation across the country we'd be far better off.
We need to revitalize our suburbs and rural towns with affordable, clean, renewably sourced public transportation now!
For commuters, students, the elderly, tourists, and everybody else!
Thank you |
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1/5/2020 |
Adri |
Kalisvaart |
Lincoln Republican Town Committee |
Lincoln |
Rhode Island |
You should read "The Moral Case for Fossil Fuels" by American energy theorist Alex Epstein, in which the author argues that, although sometimes labeled as "immoral," the use of... read more You should read "The Moral Case for Fossil Fuels" by American energy theorist Alex Epstein, in which the author argues that, although sometimes labeled as "immoral," the use of fossil fuels dramatically improves the overall progress of humanity, and improves life expectancy and income. My senator Sheldon Whitehouse should also read "The Moral Case for Fossil Fuels." |
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11/14/2019 |
Adrianne |
Fane-Hervey |
none |
Plymouth |
Massachusetts |
We already pay far to much tax in Massachusetts. The roads in my area are so bad from potholes.If we are expected top pay more for gas the least they can do is improve the public transport and the... read more We already pay far to much tax in Massachusetts. The roads in my area are so bad from potholes.If we are expected top pay more for gas the least they can do is improve the public transport and the roads. The world goes through climate change all the time, don't use that as an excuse to increase our taxes. This is not California |
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1/16/2020 |
Adrienne |
Ochis |
Ms. |
Ventnor City |
New Jersey |
We need more regulations to assist in attaining clean Air. We lived in Southern Calif when if you went into LA your eyes burned save it was so skinny you couldn't see much. Then they cleaned... read more We need more regulations to assist in attaining clean Air. We lived in Southern Calif when if you went into LA your eyes burned save it was so skinny you couldn't see much. Then they cleaned up that air. Car manufacturers want less polluting cars because their customers want that. Future generations will look back and judge the polluters who are ruining our earth for their own monetary profits. |
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1/16/2020 |
Adrienne |
Ochis |
Ms. |
Ventnor City |
New Jersey |
We need more regulations to assist in attaining clean Air. We lived in Southern Calif when if you went into LA your eyes burned save it was so skinny you couldn't see much. Then they cleaned... read more We need more regulations to assist in attaining clean Air. We lived in Southern Calif when if you went into LA your eyes burned save it was so skinny you couldn't see much. Then they cleaned up that air. Car manufacturers want less polluting cars because their customers want that. Future generations will look back and judge the polluters who are ruining our earth for their own monetary profits. |
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1/16/2020 |
Aiden |
Barnes |
concerned resident |
virginia beach |
Virginia |
Our transportation system is stuck in the dark ages. Traffic congestion from millions of cars and trucks are polluting our lungs and planet more than ever before. But as we enter this new decade,... read more Our transportation system is stuck in the dark ages. Traffic congestion from millions of cars and trucks are polluting our lungs and planet more than ever before. But as we enter this new decade, we have an opportunity modernize how we get from point A to point B. We need an enforceable limit on transportation pollution and we need to invest in clean, modern mobility solutions across the region. The policy must have a strong component of equity by prioritizing clean investments in areas overburdened by pollution and for those who don't have access. I hope that Virginia will formally join the plan to reduce emissions. Finally, I appreciate the bipartisan nature of this project, attempting to move us forward while the federal government keeps trying to take us backward.
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12/18/2019 |
Al |
Monday |
Independent |
Cranston |
Rhode Island |
The TCI TAX. Will be the straw that finally breaks the financial back Of many retirees in Rhode Island.
Thus increasing the mass exitus Of not only taxpaying people but tax paying... read more The TCI TAX. Will be the straw that finally breaks the financial back Of many retirees in Rhode Island.
Thus increasing the mass exitus Of not only taxpaying people but tax paying businesses.
Our legislature should not be bypassed, the people should have a say on any and all new taxes.
I do not support the TCI initiative. |
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2/21/2020 |
Al |
Blake |
Concerned citizen |
Becket |
Massachusetts |
As transportation contributes the majority of carbon it is urgent that we transition to using electricity for motor vehicles, heating while ensuring no adverse impact on minorities and low income... read more As transportation contributes the majority of carbon it is urgent that we transition to using electricity for motor vehicles, heating while ensuring no adverse impact on minorities and low income folks |
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2/26/2020 |
Al |
Cohen |
RETIRED |
Hummelstown |
Pennsylvania |
Baby Boomers are fast joining the ranks of people being told that we cannot continue to drive our cars. This MUST be offset large increases in public transportation. RAPIDLY. Baby Boomers are fast joining the ranks of people being told that we cannot continue to drive our cars. This MUST be offset large increases in public transportation. RAPIDLY. |
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2/22/2020 |
Alaina |
Boyle |
E4TheFuture |
Albany |
New York |
Transforming our transportation to a clean and efficient system is essential to meeting the climate goals of the next decade and preventing catastrophic climate change, around the world as well as... read more Transforming our transportation to a clean and efficient system is essential to meeting the climate goals of the next decade and preventing catastrophic climate change, around the world as well as in our own state. Transportation is one of the top source of greenhouse gas emissions, and the TCI will build on the success of RGGI in coordinating the climate leadership in NY and the northeast. Please take this essential leadership role in the fight against climate change for this and future generations, and join the TCI. |
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10/28/2019 |
Alan |
Vaccaro |
Maine citizen |
Springvale |
Maine |
Our governor forcing this tax does more harm than good. Stop the nonsense and punishing poor and middle class which make up the majority of the state. Our governor forcing this tax does more harm than good. Stop the nonsense and punishing poor and middle class which make up the majority of the state. |
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11/13/2019 |
Alan |
Miner |
Citizen |
Rochester |
Massachusetts |
TCI is another attempt to ram another tax down our throats. Once the politicians start taking your money without your approval, especially for a " CLIMATE" initiative it will never end.... read more TCI is another attempt to ram another tax down our throats. Once the politicians start taking your money without your approval, especially for a " CLIMATE" initiative it will never end. Any money that is spent on something that you can never change,like the "CLIMATE" will turn into a progressive milking of taxpayer money . Like the progressive tax tax that we voted against some years ago. Unlike the FMLA "TAX" that was forced on the Massachusetts worker, this "TCI" should ,at the very least, be brought to the voters. Don't the citizens of Massachusetts pay enough taxes? Bring it to the voters. |
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12/2/2019 |
Alan |
Cunha |
taxpayer |
Lakeville |
Massachusetts |
Voters denied your automatic gas tax request and now you're trying a back door attempt to install one. This will not fly, we WILL remember this come next re-election Gov. Baker. You have... read more Voters denied your automatic gas tax request and now you're trying a back door attempt to install one. This will not fly, we WILL remember this come next re-election Gov. Baker. You have become as conservative as that nut Liz Warren. |
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1/16/2020 |
Alan |
Benford |
US Citizen |
Manchester |
Connecticut |
With the effects of Climate change becoming more pronounced, it has become a "now or never" time to “…design a regional low-carbon transportation policy proposal that would cap and... read more With the effects of Climate change becoming more pronounced, it has become a "now or never" time to “…design a regional low-carbon transportation policy proposal 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” as proposed by Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) states.
OUR SURVIVAL ON THIS PLANET REQUIRES SUCH ACTION! |
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2/7/2020 |
Alan |
Atkinson |
Regional traveler |
Quincy |
Massachusetts |
What is the "cap" rate going to be? Or to put it in another way, what will be the schedule in the reduction of available
"carbon allowances" per year? And what will... read more What is the "cap" rate going to be? Or to put it in another way, what will be the schedule in the reduction of available
"carbon allowances" per year? And what will be done if this reduction in available fuel (due to an artificially-induced
scarcity aka the "cap") if transportation in the TCI jurisdiction is adversely affected? Will the "cap" be adjusted or will it be strictly adhered to?
For example, if electric and alternative-fuel vehicles are unavailable or, more likely, not affordable to the majority of residents and there are inadequate alternatives for public transportation such as exists in many of the communities and TCI jurisdictions, what is the proposed plan when (if) the "cap" reduces the amount of available fuel below what is needed by the fleet of vehicles at that time?
Additionally, what is the trigger level that activates additional carbon allowances from the cost containment reserve; that is, at what price of fuel will this occur?
From the TCI 101 video, you mention that the "computer models" understand what the impacts will be, but do they? What is the algorithm that takes into consideration citizens not being able to get to work or take children to school or daycare and how many allowances will be allowed and allocated? Is there transparency in these computer models? Another example is that someone close to me drives and delivers life-saving materials. Will this person and others like him be able to buy fuel for their vehicles in a few years or will they be forced to expend exorbitant amounts of money to upgrade to a newer mode of
transportation?
And the video also states that "if it costs more than we thought it would, we can only afford a lesser reduction, but if it turns out it's cheaper than we thought it was, we can actually afford more of a reduction. So these mechanisms allow the design to have a self-adjusting quality and also a risk management feature that doesn't allow the price to go higher than expected." Unfortunately, these mechanisms are NOT self-adjusting and, instead, they will require interaction at these
unknown and unexplored thresholds and this does not bode well for a far more complex economic and transportation system that will be perturbed significantly by the TCI design. This sounds reckless for something that will have serious and detrimental ramifications to millions of people.
I can only recommend abandonment of this initiative before irreversible damage is done to the Commonwealth, the states, and the public. |
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