TCI Regional Policy Design Stakeholder Submissions

Imperative that citizens of the United States discontinue driving autos except in emergencies.

Transportation and Climate Initiative -Less pollution, healthier lives
Reducing Pollution and Transforming Our Transportation System
Transportation is now the largest source of climate disrupting carbon pollution in Maryland and across the country. The Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) is a collaboration between Washington D.C. and 12 Mid-Atlantic and Northeast states to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution from transportation modes like cars, buses, and trucks and accelerate clean, modern and multimodal forms of transportation. Maryland and other states are engaged in ongoing conversations and gathering of public input, with the facilitation of Georgetown Climate Center, to determine a regional policy that would reduce transportation pollution.
One policy that has been widely discussed is a cap and invest program, similar to a program that exists in the electric power sector. This policy could set a declining cap on the amount of carbon pollution released by the use of transportation fuels by requiring entities like wholesale fuel distributors that sell gasoline and other fuels to retail outlets (i.e., gas stations) to purchase emission permits available under the cap (2). The proceeds from sale by states of those permits could then be invested in clean alternatives like electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, public transportation, walking and biking projects, and other smart growth initiatives, speeding up the must needed transition to a clean, equitable, 21st century transportation system.Mirroring a partnership that works.This partnership could closely mirror an effort the region has taken through the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), which sets a declining cap on the amount of carbon dioxide power plants can emit and generates dedicated funds for clean energy programs through states’ sale of emission permits under the cap to power plants. The program has helped cut regional emissions nearly in half and invested over $616 million (3) in Maryland mostly for energy efficiency, consumer benefit, and clean energy projects. Participating Governments CT, D.C., DE, ME, MD, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VI, VA.
WHAT WOULD INVESTING IN CLEAN TRANSPORTATION GET US?
A recent analysis by the Georgetown Climate Center found that investing $3 billion annually in the Northeast states to reduce vehicle GHG emissions would (4):
Save thousands of lives in the region in 2030. Create more than 113,000 jobs in D.C. and Maryland through 2030 Put $11.81 billion in D.C. and Marylanders pockets through 2030. 73% of Marylanders support a policy to limit transportation pollution (5)
Who makes the decisions?
The Maryland Departments of Environment and Transportation makes decisions on adopting this policy in collaboration with other agencies, states, and D.C. The Maryland General Assembly passed a law affirming the state's direction in this program in 2019.
Recommendations for policy solutions
Maryland should make a make a firm commitment to adopt a regional transportation policy that achieves a minimum 40 percent reduction in transportation sector climate pollution by 2030, to keep us on track to meet the climate goals updated by the General Assembly in 2016.
Investment and policy decisions should be made based on pollution reduction and equity goals, as well as robust engagement opportunities from the public‒particularly those most overburdened by transportation pollution and undeserved by our current transportation system.

We are supportive of this initiative with one huge caveat: NO 5G NO 4G NOTHING HIGHER THAN 3G. Why? No one, including our pollinating insects can survive this level of radiation. This level melts human and animal, birds, fish frontal lobes. Do you know what the frontal lobes of the brain control? Guess what. If I am next to any I phone user, that 5G goes right through me to get to that phone.
Yes, we have a mental crisis in this nation and the world. Why make it worse by destroying the frontal lobes?
We have a hunger crisis in the USA, why make it worse by destroying the pollinators?
The Tabakin and Latterner families and all relatives here and abroad.

Climate change is an emergency that must be addressed immediately. There are many options and actions, cap and trade actions are a part of the recovery plan. Pass this critical action.

The clock is ticking on the environment, and we have NO CHOICE but to improve it or we're blacking out the future for our kids and grandkids!

I support an ambitious and strong Transportation and Climate Initiative that promotes low-carbon solutions all over the region including rural states like Maine. Our transportation system is not working for us or our environment-we need more investment on public transportation, electric vehicles and infrastructures, bikeable and walkable communities and we need to think about land-use planning.

NJ cannot afford another gas tax increase, especially given the recent TTF renewal which includes automatic increases.

This is a no brainer, the fact that we haven’t completed the KOP connection yet is mind-boggling to me. We need as much high speed, high capacity public transportation as we possibly can get. We are so far behind Europe and Asia is is mind blowing

As a Science Teacher/Environmental Educator, Engineering/STEM Professional, Environmental/Energy/Human Health Advocate, and a concerned citizen, I wholeheartedly support the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) and demand the most comprehensive program possible: we need improved transportation options, we need polluters to pay their fair share for the damage they are causing, and we need to act now!! Climate change is effecting the Earth NOW so it is necessary that we act NOW!!

I demand a strong program that invests in creating safe roads for biking and walking, more frequent and reliable public transportation, greater access to electric vehicles, and a more equitable system with cleaner transportation options for everyone in the region!

I request Minnesota to join the plan to reduce transportation emissions and fight climate change!
Thanks!