2/26/2020 |
Jon |
Levin |
Lehigh Valley Audubon Society |
Emmaus |
Pennsylvania |
Reducing pollution from transportation is a key component to reducing Pennsylvania's emissions
Public transit investments that could be made with TCI proceeds would be valuable... read more Reducing pollution from transportation is a key component to reducing Pennsylvania's emissions
Public transit investments that could be made with TCI proceeds would be valuable
Please choose the aggressive greenhouse gas reduction target that the most recent climate science tells us we need.
The policy should prioritize clean investments in areas overburdened by pollution and/or for those who don’t have access to transportation choices. |
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10/15/2020 |
jon |
longsworth |
World Citizen |
Aptos |
California |
For a strong Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) program, right out of the gate:
– Before 2032 (if not in half that time, 2027 or sooner): a reduction in carbon emissions to no less... read more For a strong Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) program, right out of the gate:
– Before 2032 (if not in half that time, 2027 or sooner): a reduction in carbon emissions to no less than, indeed hopefully well under three-quarters of current rates -- at bare minimum -- when we've really needed it at 100%, DECADES ago
– Irreproachable investment in active transportation, e.g., bicycling infrastructure; high quality public transit; improved sidewalks
– An increase by no less than one-third or more greater investment in traditionally disadvantaged communities, the overburdened and underserved since living memory
Get this right. |
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10/15/2020 |
Jonah |
Kurman-Faber |
Climate XChange |
Somerville |
Massachusetts |
Please see attached for a technical memo by Climate XChange that responds to the TCI state's first listed equity provision on the September 29th equity webinar. In particular, this memo... read more Please see attached for a technical memo by Climate XChange that responds to the TCI state's first listed equity provision on the September 29th equity webinar. In particular, this memo focuses on what level of detail in the regional MOU, vs subsequent state model rules, can help ensure that percentage-based equity requirements for investment function as intended.
The two essential language provisions we outline are: 1) Ensure that proportionately higher revenue goes to overburdened and underserved communities that the percentage of the population that qualifies; and 2) require investment dollars be located within and directly benefit overburdened and underserved communities in order to count towards equity requirements.
The memo also proposes two additional measures to improve the program's ability to deliver on equitable investment: 1) Comprehensive state screening tools as the census tract level or smaller that bring together socioeconomic and environmental metrics; and 2) New capacity-building and ground-up governance structures to control TCI revenue. |
CXC Technical Memo - TCI Investment Equity.pdf |
10/29/2019 |
Jonathan |
Ferro |
Ferro Fuel Oil, Inc. |
Boothwyn |
Pennsylvania |
The last thing we need in Pennsylvania is more regulations. Call Harrisburg to get an answer on sales tax or motor fuel taxes. There are so many rules at this point the state employees can not... read more The last thing we need in Pennsylvania is more regulations. Call Harrisburg to get an answer on sales tax or motor fuel taxes. There are so many rules at this point the state employees can not even follow them. Simplify the laws and regulations, let the market dictate fuel usage. Electrics are coming, sooner than later the tides will shift. |
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11/9/2019 |
Jonathan |
Bates |
Food Forest Farm |
Brooktondale |
New York |
It is critical to look at, and act on the Climate Emergency from a holistic perspective. Transportation is an important sector to address, so is access to the local food system. Food Hubs are one... read more It is critical to look at, and act on the Climate Emergency from a holistic perspective. Transportation is an important sector to address, so is access to the local food system. Food Hubs are one solution to address food and transportation together. Funding from TCI could help support the creation of food hubs based on population density, demographics and relationship to food producing areas. Food Hubs that are decentralized but well planned shorten distance of travel from production of food to consumer, thus reducing miles traveled and fuel used. Hubs become spaces for building relationships, strong communities and encourage business enterprise development (i.e. value added products, or incubator accelerators). Hubs could be placed near population centers, thus addressing issues of food access and social equity. Food Hubs that prioritize regenerative, organic and soil building agriculture businesses can help accelerate soil as a carbon sequestering, or carbon drawdown opportunity. Food Hubs are a good investment for both reducing carbon use, capturing carbon, and supporting business development and community health and well being. |
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11/13/2019 |
Jonathan |
Hill |
mass tax payer |
QUincy |
Massachusetts |
Please stop this scam of new taxes.
No new gas tax.
Take the money from somewhere else. You've already got plenty Please stop this scam of new taxes.
No new gas tax.
Take the money from somewhere else. You've already got plenty |
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12/6/2019 |
Jonathan |
Sahady |
N/A |
Quincy |
Massachusetts |
Please do not raise taxes. Massachusetts residents are overburdened with high taxes and a generally high cost of living. Additional tax burdens will harm individuals financially. I ask you, in... read more Please do not raise taxes. Massachusetts residents are overburdened with high taxes and a generally high cost of living. Additional tax burdens will harm individuals financially. I ask you, in the name of decency, please do not burden us with additional taxes. |
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12/31/2019 |
Jonathan |
Hutchison |
Citizen |
Tonawanda |
New York |
If this policy does not include cutting spending to sprawling roads and development, which continues to encourage single occupancy vehicle use and increases Vehicle Miles Traveled, it will be... read more If this policy does not include cutting spending to sprawling roads and development, which continues to encourage single occupancy vehicle use and increases Vehicle Miles Traveled, it will be useless. Effective pricing models including public parking, rolling, gas taxes are a must. The revenue generated should then be immediately invested back in to infrastructure that promotes walking, cycling, and public transportation use. |
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1/14/2020 |
Jonathan |
Reisman |
University of Maine at Machias |
Machias |
Maine |
The Transportation and Climate Initiative
The Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) is a 12- state regional effort to impose a stealthy and steadily increasing carbon tax on gasoline... read more The Transportation and Climate Initiative
The Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) is a 12- state regional effort to impose a stealthy and steadily increasing carbon tax on gasoline without requiring the politically perilous step of calling it either a carbon tax or a gas tax. The proceeds would be used to subsidize electric cars, increase public support for climate change policies favored by Governor Mills, the Natural Resources Council of Maine, the environmental left and other assorted climate alarmists. In Maine, in addition to protecting Democrats from risky electoral consequences, TCI is also constitutionally suspect. Article IX, Section 19 of the Maine Constitution restricts the use of fuel taxes to highway and bridge construction and associated costs:
Article IX, Section 19. Limitation on expenditure of motor vehicle and motor vehicle fuel revenues. All revenues derived from fees, excises and license taxes relating to registration, operation and use of vehicles on public highways, and to fuels used for propulsion of such vehicles shall be expended solely for cost of administration, statutory refunds and adjustments, payment of debts and liabilities incurred in construction and reconstruction of highways and bridges, the cost of construction,reconstruction, maintenance and repair of public highways and bridges under the direction and supervision of a state department having jurisdiction over such highways and bridges and expense for state enforcement of traffic laws and shall not be diverted for any purpose, provided that these limitations shall not apply to revenue from an excise tax on motor vehicles imposed in lieu of personal property tax.
The model for TCI is the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI or “Reggie”). RGGI places a carbon tax on electric power generation and uses the proceeds to fund energy efficiency and promote climate alarmism. In Maine, RGGI revenues are directed to Efficiency Maine, governed by an independent board established by the environmental left under Gov. Baldacci. In addition to subsiding solar power, LED light bulbs and heat pumps, Efficiency Maine has consistently underwritten (as in bought advertising on) Maine Public Broadcasting and the Maine Housing Authority, both strong promoters of climate alarmism.
RGGI and TCI are multistate “agreements” which never received congressional approval as required under Article 1, section 10 of the US Constitution (the Compact Clause):
“No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any Duty of Tonnage, keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of Peace, enter into any Agreement or Compact with another State, or with a foreign Power, or engage in War, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay.” (My italics).
RGGI was never congressionally approved because Democrats did not ask and Republicans did not insist, and objectors like myself did not have standing to sue (although I did look into it). The environmental left insisted that RGGI was “voluntary” and did not require Congressional approval. Senators King and Collins, recognizing the potential problems with this approach, have introduced legislation approving regional climate change policy compacts like TCI, which at least opens the door to court challenges if Congressional approval does not pass.
In the meantime, bi-partisan objections to TCI and carbon/gas taxes are increasing, just as they did in France with the yellow vest protests. Governors from Connecticut (Ned Lamont-D), New Hampshire (Chris Sununu-R), Vermont (Phil Scott-R) and Rhode Island (Gina Raimundo-D) have expressed reservations/opposition (D). Governor Mills has been non-committal, although her climate alarmism would suggest support.
Interested Mainers can submit public comment on the design of the TCI by filling out the TCI Stakeholder Input Form, available at https://www.transportationandclimate.org/main-menu/tci-regional-policy-design-stakeholder-input-form. Public comments are due by February 28, 2020.
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Freedom Studies TCI.pdf |
1/16/2020 |
Jonathan |
Draudt |
Self Employed |
Warren |
Vermont |
We must do something about our emissions of CO2. We must do something about our emissions of CO2. |
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1/16/2020 |
Jonathan |
Berger |
Science Teacher |
Pittsburgh |
Pennsylvania |
IT TOOK ME HAVING TO LOSE 3 JEEP VEHICLES TO FLOODS TO GET THE MESSAGE? TODAY DESPITE PROMISES FOR PUBLIC ALL-ELECTRIC VEHICLES I HAVE SEEN 2 GM VOLTS; FedEx. US POST OFFICE, UPS, EMTs, BUSES... read more IT TOOK ME HAVING TO LOSE 3 JEEP VEHICLES TO FLOODS TO GET THE MESSAGE? TODAY DESPITE PROMISES FOR PUBLIC ALL-ELECTRIC VEHICLES I HAVE SEEN 2 GM VOLTS; FedEx. US POST OFFICE, UPS, EMTs, BUSES & TRUCKS ALL STILL DRIVE ON DIESEL? TODAY MARSHALL MADOFF DEVELOPED ZYCANE TO POWER "ALL" VEHICLES WHICH CUTS CO2 CONTAMINANTS @ 77% PER AN EPISODE ONDEMAND "60 MINUTES"? |
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2/22/2020 |
Jonathan |
von Ranson |
Franklin Regional Transit Auithority |
Wendell |
Massachusetts |
I haven't seen a thorough analysis of the total systemic energy commitment – not just energy used at the point of moving people and things, but also systemically embodied – in various... read more I haven't seen a thorough analysis of the total systemic energy commitment – not just energy used at the point of moving people and things, but also systemically embodied – in various transportation options, including fixed-route and on-demand transit service and getting purchased products to end users, in various demographic situations, especially rural and suburban. Furthermore, not just equipment, but employee energy use must be factored into all options. Too often I feel energy use at the "retail" level gets all the focus, and I am hoping this initiative takes the matter wholistically. |
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2/25/2020 |
Jonathan |
Kinnersley |
Independent |
Brattleboro |
Vermont |
Please be forward thinking and adopt measures now which will build a better future.
It is better to invest NOW, to bring us on to a path to a more sustainable future, than to have to pay... read more Please be forward thinking and adopt measures now which will build a better future.
It is better to invest NOW, to bring us on to a path to a more sustainable future, than to have to pay an even bigger bill in the future to try and repair a past filled with inaction. |
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2/26/2020 |
Jonathan |
Archer |
Zócalo permaculture center |
Gouldsboro |
Maine |
Please support electric transport ebikes escooters e-cars ebuses and strains thanks
Please support electric transport ebikes escooters e-cars ebuses and strains thanks
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2/26/2020 |
Jonathan |
Fox |
Keystone Progress Education Fund |
Lancaster |
Pennsylvania |
Please 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... read more Please 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. Thank You ! |
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2/27/2020 |
Jonathan |
Wilcox |
Maine resident |
Paris |
Maine |
Maine's public transportation system is outdated using Internal Combustion Engines (ICE) technology for city buses, school buses, and rural transport which affects isolation, health, and... read more Maine's public transportation system is outdated using Internal Combustion Engines (ICE) technology for city buses, school buses, and rural transport which affects isolation, health, and impacts all aspects of living in Maine. It's time to modernize. Costs continue to go down for Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV), ranges go up, maintenance is less and health of pedestrians walking is not compromised by breathing in the toxic fumes. I also think ICE are a source of noise pollution that needs to be curtailed. Fast charging technology is being installed and expanded for BEVs as I write this. Overnight charging is possible and standardized. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. |
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3/17/2020 |
Jonathan |
Inslee |
Conservation Voters of Pa |
Downingtown |
Pennsylvania |
Obviously a huge problem and the solution will only come from government. Please act as quickly as possible. Obviously a huge problem and the solution will only come from government. Please act as quickly as possible. |
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10/31/2019 |
Jordan |
Bastedo |
Concerned voter |
Baileyville |
Maine |
Taxation is theft. We’re already taxed enough as it is. Quit using something that naturally occurs as a method to force more control over those that you represent. Taxation is theft. We’re already taxed enough as it is. Quit using something that naturally occurs as a method to force more control over those that you represent. |
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11/5/2019 |
Jordan |
Stutt |
Acadia Center |
Boston |
Massachusetts |
The 44 undersigned members of Our Transportation Future and additional partners believe the Framework Policy Proposal offers an encouraging path forward for a modern, low-carbon, equitable... read more The 44 undersigned members of Our Transportation Future and additional partners believe the Framework Policy Proposal offers an encouraging path forward for a modern, low-carbon, equitable transportation system.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment. Please see the attached recommendations on program design. |
Joint Comments on TCI Framework 11_5_2019.pdf |
2/24/2020 |
Jordan |
Deafenbaugh |
None |
Virginia Beach |
Virginia |
I strongly support the Transportation and Climate Initiative policy. I’m proud to live in a state that is taking appropriate steps to tackle the climate crisis, and I think that initiatives such... read more I strongly support the Transportation and Climate Initiative policy. I’m proud to live in a state that is taking appropriate steps to tackle the climate crisis, and I think that initiatives such as this one will provide for a healthy and prosperous future for those living in the targeted areas. I live in an area that is growing exponentially, and this growth has had, and will continue to have, its costs. My children’s school is less than a mile from home but we have to drive, instead of walk or cycle, because there are no adequate sidewalks or bike lanes. With increasing traffic in the area my family would love to be part of the solution and be one less vehicle on the road. The environmental benefits to this policy I think are obvious but the health benefits maybe not so much unless you or someone you know suffers from breathing problems. I have asthma and there is no doubt that my asthma attacks are increasing in frequency and severity. Knowing that there could be multiple causes for this increase that fact is air pollution has been shown to be one of those causes, and air pollution is something that we can control via policies such as the TCI policy. I want my children to have the same opportunities that I had growing up, but I fear climate change is going to make that very unlikely. For our children and their children and so on, let’s do what we can to ensure they can get to school, work, etc. safely and with as little impact on their one and only home as possible. |
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