2/24/2020 |
Steven |
Bower |
none |
Richmond |
Vermont |
I strongly support Vermont joining the TCI. I have attended 2 forums on the TCI, and read the online materials. The TCI will create a regional entity to reduce transportation GHG emissions,... read more I strongly support Vermont joining the TCI. I have attended 2 forums on the TCI, and read the online materials. The TCI will create a regional entity to reduce transportation GHG emissions, including states that comprise a large part of the U.S. economy. It will be built on a proven cap-and-invest framework (based on RGGI) that can be expanded in the future. Given the rapidly growing risk of runaway climate change, we need to take every feasible action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and this program does that. |
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2/25/2020 |
Steven |
Harford |
Chemist |
Mountain Lakes |
New Jersey |
I certainly understand the desire for all public servants associated with the TCI to act with the best of intentions and I appreciate your willingness to serve the public to the best of your... read more I certainly understand the desire for all public servants associated with the TCI to act with the best of intentions and I appreciate your willingness to serve the public to the best of your abilities. I ask you to please consider that I am a PhD Chemist with decades of experience and knowledge about the effects of CO2 concentrations on climate change. I have applied to the IPCC as an editor for the Assessment Report 6, I have spoken about the chemistry behind CO2 driven climate change all over the country, and I have a level of expertise in this area that stems from decades of research, educational training and experience.
I am commenting here to make sure that you are made aware that main stream media accounts of CO2 and climate change are not accurate. It is a scientific fact that CO2 both absorbs and radiates infra red energy. The extent that this particular attribute of CO2 influences global temperatures is still a matter of considerable debate - despite what you are being told and what you read in the media. Climate change predictions rely on secondary feedbacks to account for the vast majority of predicted warming. These feedbacks are controversial amongst those of us who look at the issue with complete intellectual honesty. The feedbacks may lead to more warming, but they may not. When we hear statements like the science is settled and 97% of scientists agree that CO2 causes warming, these statements are only true for the RELATIVE impact of CO2 on temperature and climate. The absolute influence of atmospheric CO2 concentration is absolutely NOT settled, NOT quantified and NOT well understood. How the impact of CO2 concentration on temperature compares with periodic changes in ocean circulation, solar activity, and geothermal fluctuations is still very much a matter for debate. The coming decades may see warming due to increasing CO2 concentrations, but they may also see cooling due to ocean and solar effects despite rapidly increasing CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere. There is absolutely not a scientific consensus on this point, and when people try to extend the scientific consensus from a relative impact of CO2 to an absolute impact, they are being disingenuous.
Given this situation, I ask you to abandon plans to limit CO2 emissions. Doing so only limits the ability of our society to live prosperous lives. The societal benefits from this initiative are insignificant, but the societal detriments are very significant. I see a high likelihood of unintended consequences that end up doing far more damage to the environment than business as usual CO2 emissions. For this reason I urge you to abandon this plan. |
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10/15/2020 |
Steven |
Vogel |
Private Citizen |
Falls Church |
Virginia |
I respectfully ask for the following three things:
1. A cap on carbon emissions of at least 25% by 2032 if not sooner.
2. An increase in the minimum investment in overburdened and... read more I respectfully ask for the following three things:
1. A cap on carbon emissions of at least 25% by 2032 if not sooner.
2. An increase in the minimum investment in overburdened and underserved communities, i.e., more than 35%.
3. That investments be made towards active transportation like better sidewalks, bicycle infrastructure, and high quality public transit of multiple modes. |
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2/26/2020 |
Stevie |
Sugarman |
Earth Evolution |
Malibu |
California |
I support the Transportation and Climate Intiative.
I support the Transportation and Climate Intiative.
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8/19/2019 |
Stewart |
Schwartz |
Coalition for Smarter Growth |
Washington |
District of Columbia |
To reduce emissions from transportation we need a strong focus on the land use/transportation connection. We need to focus growth in cities and towns and in walkable, mixed-use, mixed-income,... read more To reduce emissions from transportation we need a strong focus on the land use/transportation connection. We need to focus growth in cities and towns and in walkable, mixed-use, mixed-income, transit-oriented centers and corridors. Funding transit alone will not be enough - it must be connected to compact, walkable development. Universal adoption of electric vehicles while not addressing sprawling development will mean continued long-distance driving and highway construction, while also risking the conversion of vast acreage of farms and forest to solar arrays just to supply longer distance vehicle travel. So land use must be a primary focus. As for investments to be made - they should include transit tied to land use, reduction in transit fares, affordable housing close to transit, jobs and services, and other infrastructure that supports transit-oriented communities.
The Coalition for Smarter Growth is a 22-year-old non-profit working in DC, Maryland and Virginia and the leading organization promoting walkable, transit-oriented communities (TOD) as the best way for the DC region to grow. We have convinced the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments to make TOD the core framework for regional growth in their Region Forward Plan and in their Visualize2045 long range transportation plan, however, spending practices by state and local government still include massive highway and arterial road expansion. Meanwhile the region must do more to advance public and private investment in TOD at Metrorail stations and other high capacity transit. We received the MWCOG Regional Partnership Award in 2017. |
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12/4/2019 |
Stewart |
Roach |
NORWOOD YACHT SALES |
N QUINCY |
Massachusetts |
Do not impose a new gas tax Do not impose a new gas tax |
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12/4/2019 |
Stewart |
Roach |
NORWOOD YACHT SALES |
N QUINCY |
Massachusetts |
Do not impose a new gas tax Do not impose a new gas tax |
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2/28/2020 |
Stewart |
Schwartz |
Coalition for Smarter Growth |
Washington |
District of Columbia |
See attached file See attached file |
2020.02.28 CSG Comments on TCI MOU.pdf |
2/24/2020 |
Sudhanshu |
Mathur |
Climate XChange |
Boston |
Massachusetts |
Given the grave challenge of climate change that we have been facing, it is absolutely imperative that we adopt the necessary mandates to do what's necessary to save our people and our planet... read more Given the grave challenge of climate change that we have been facing, it is absolutely imperative that we adopt the necessary mandates to do what's necessary to save our people and our planet. TCI can be a critical step on the path to more expansive carbon pricing mechanisms, so TCI has my full support, as well as the support of our communities, to be implemented. We need to think about the long-term arc of our society - in terms of public health, transportation, and environment - and carbon pricing is the most effective way of shaping a stronger future for our children. Let us not forget that TCI idealizes sustainable development, by improving the environment with the benefit of economic growth. Those that oppose TCI fail to understand how it gives us the chance of not only rectifying persevering injustices, but also positively and meaningfully reaping substantial benefits for all our communities. I'd like to call upon the governors of ALL the states to commit to TCI, in the best interests for their constituents. But more importantly, I'd like to wholeheartedly urge the leaders of TCI to clearly communicate the impressive possibilities of such a program, in a way that creates the broad support needed to successfully advance climate change policy. |
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10/25/2019 |
Sue |
Rudalevige |
ProsperityME volunteer |
Cape Elizabeth |
Maine |
I support the Transportation and Climate initiative. Maine is in great need of workable transportation solutions. We need public transportation through out the state but we do not want to increase... read more I support the Transportation and Climate initiative. Maine is in great need of workable transportation solutions. We need public transportation through out the state but we do not want to increase the pollution caused by fossil fuel driven vehicles. We need creative solutions to get people where they need to go without everyone having to have a car themselves. This probably means a subsidized system since the rural nature of Maine means that often there are not enough people in one place to make a profit making system viable. Transportation however is key to providing jobs and getting people to medical appointments and should not be seen as a privilege of those who can afford it or live in a place which can support a profit making enterprise. Moreover, private enterprise is less likely to want to ensure a system that does not add to the pollution of the atmosphere. Plese come up with new and creative public options. |
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11/12/2019 |
Sue |
Corbin |
Mrs. |
Sagamore Bch |
Massachusetts |
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1/16/2020 |
Sue |
Felshin |
Voter |
Concord |
Massachusetts |
I am strongly in favor of the TCI and urge Massachusetts to implement it regardless of how many other states join now vs. join later.
The TCI should apply to ALL transportation... read more I am strongly in favor of the TCI and urge Massachusetts to implement it regardless of how many other states join now vs. join later.
The TCI should apply to ALL transportation fossil fuels including for personal cars, company cars and vans, corporate fleets, on-demand transportation (taxis, etc.), delivery vans, trucking, freight trains, municipal and state-owned vehicles, federal vehicles within the geographic scope of the TCI, mass transit vehicles -- including ferries and school buses -- whether public or private, personal watercraft, fishing boats, cruise ships, freight shipping, other freshwater and saltwater transportation, aircraft of all kinds including drones, and all other fossil fuel use for transportation.
The goal of the TCI isn't to stop people from traveling, but rather to shift people toward lower carbon transportation. Many people currently have no alternative to driving. As a matter of equity, it's important for much of the monies raised by TCI to be applied to rebates and subsidies for electric or plug-in hybrids especially in rural areas, for public transit everywhere, and where possible, for small businesses both on-shore and in local waters. As a further matter of equity, we should take some of the cost savings from improved health due to reduced fossil pollution and apply it to further assist people who are hit hardest by fuel price increases due to the TCI, whether through additional support for greener transportation and mass transportation, or in other ways such as increased health care subsidies.
Climate change is a huge problem. The TCI is just one part of the solution. We should implement the TCI while also implementing many other solutions. Preferably some that bear fruit faster than the TCI, since Massachusetts is faltering right now due to slow and failing transportation. |
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1/16/2020 |
Sue |
Brown |
Employee |
Caledonia |
New York |
It is so very important to do everything we can to eliminate pollution of ALL kinds. My niece is a climate scientist. She and her team are studying the effects of climate change on our glaciers.... read more It is so very important to do everything we can to eliminate pollution of ALL kinds. My niece is a climate scientist. She and her team are studying the effects of climate change on our glaciers. Personally I’m very worried that we are getting ourselves in deeper than we realize by going about thinking we can live the way we do and everything will be fine. Scientists have been warning us since the 1960’s. I worry that our human activity could be the end for our amazing and wonderous planet. |
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2/25/2020 |
Sue |
VanDerzee |
Mrs. |
Cromwell |
Connecticut |
It is a great first step in cooperation and recognizing the importance of reducing carbon emissions. It is a great first step in cooperation and recognizing the importance of reducing carbon emissions. |
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1/16/2020 |
Sue and John |
Morris |
ecosensitive citizens |
Marshfield |
Vermont |
We're in a climate crisis. Please do whatever you can to address the crisis. Armageddon awaits! Vermont needs to do more to reduce emissions. Thanks for working together to make sure our... read more We're in a climate crisis. Please do whatever you can to address the crisis. Armageddon awaits! Vermont needs to do more to reduce emissions. Thanks for working together to make sure our grandchildren have a future. |
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11/22/2019 |
Summer |
Sandoval |
UPROSE |
Brooklyn |
New York |
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Climate Justice Alliance_ Public Comment on TCI Draft Framework_11.22.19.pdf |
1/19/2020 |
Sumner |
Roper |
Mr. |
Nashua |
New Hampshire |
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2/28/2020 |
Sunil |
Misra |
Behavioral Consultations |
Columbia |
Maryland |
Republicans hate God's creation. STOP letting auto standards decline. read more Republicans hate God's creation. STOP letting auto standards decline. |
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5/3/2019 |
Sunyoung |
Yang |
Trenton resident |
Trenton |
New Jersey |
The cap and investment and other carbon market trading and offset measures are extremely concerning in these proposals. Net zero emissions framework is also problematic. Low income communities... read more The cap and investment and other carbon market trading and offset measures are extremely concerning in these proposals. Net zero emissions framework is also problematic. Low income communities and people of color are living in some of the highly trafficked routes where freight and manufacturing storage processing industries have been emitting high levels of toxins for years in the region. Any offset scheme would further concentrate the actual amount of air pollution for environmental justice communities and be detrimental to our lives. Environmental justice groups in CA have attested to this reality after going through their own climate initiatives--the offset market abroad has led to devastating consequences for Indigenous folks in the Amazon getting kicked out of their land for carbon forestry REDD+ credit market while EJ communities in CA living next to major freight corridors, Chevron/Texaco oil refineries, and other polluting industries have seen co-pollutants concentrated while also carbon emissions have gone up. No community benefit from any EJ or equity funds generated through market trading of carbon credits will alleviate the increased health risks from further pollution by these trading schemes. Please take this provisions out and concentrate on real policy strategies that will reduce in every part of this region carbon and other toxic co-pollutants. The emissions cuts have to be absolute and not a switch and bait tactic. Offsets and trading are false solutions with tremendous consequences for human rights violations and endangering our community health while giving us a false sense that we are actually reducing emissions when we're not. Electrifying freight and transport has been done in other regions and along with other initiatives in RGGI to convert our grid into real renewables (not nuclear or clean coal) we can make the emissions targets. Carbon trading will never get us to the emissions reductions while creating more disaster in the process. |
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10/12/2019 |
Susan |
Voinche |
N/A |
Limington |
Maine |
This is not OK! And I hadn’t heard anything about it. This should be for the citizens to decide. This is not OK! And I hadn’t heard anything about it. This should be for the citizens to decide. |
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