2/23/2020 |
Christopher R |
Miller |
Retired |
Griswold |
Connecticut |
I think this initiative is very important, and I am proud and gratified that my state is part of this New England alliance to take meaningful and needed action against the growing climate crisis.... read more I think this initiative is very important, and I am proud and gratified that my state is part of this New England alliance to take meaningful and needed action against the growing climate crisis. I urge my state politicians, regardless of their affiliation, to support this initiative wholeheartedly. I realize on such initiatives that some politicians may resist such initiatives primarily on the basis of cost, and I urge them not to. When there is important needed action, cost should not be an issue. State legislatures find ways every year to found any number of actions. Politicians who do not want to support an initiative like this one aren't really saying that the state can't afford to fund an initiative like this one, they are saying that they would prefer not to fund an initiative like this one, that they would rather spend the money on something else. That should not be an option. "Climate change" is really "climate crisis." Humans have been seriously harming our Earth for some time now, and our Earth, in turn, is now starting to hurt humans. This situation will only get worse unless we work aggressively against it. The consequences will be dire. I urge all state politicians to support this initiative. |
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2/22/2020 |
Christy |
Bumanis |
Ms |
Germantown |
Maryland |
I completely support the proposals put forth by the TCI. Fossil fueled automobile traffic must be drastically reduced, and cleaner transportation modes are essential. I am appalled by the... read more I completely support the proposals put forth by the TCI. Fossil fueled automobile traffic must be drastically reduced, and cleaner transportation modes are essential. I am appalled by the actions of Maryland Governor Hogan and Comptroller Franchot in approving the Beltway/270 expansion, and fail to understand how Maryland, as a TCI participant, can allow this short-sighted, environmentally irresponsible project to go forward. It will only encourage more traffic and lead to more development, while causing even more congestion while underway. Governor Hogan and Comptroller Franchot are not thinking about the TCI, combating the climate crisis, or prcioviding responsible leadership. By pushing this project and not seeking real, sustainable solutions to the transportation problem, they are doing a real disservice to Marylanders, the United States, and the world. |
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2/27/2020 |
Christy |
Eppinger |
Gas Staton |
Brackenridge |
Pennsylvania |
I do not support this. I do not support this. |
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10/29/2019 |
Cindy |
Henderson |
None |
Augusta |
Maine |
We strongly oppose any and all proposals being put forth by Gov Mills in regards to increasing Maine’s electronic cars, charging stations, and plans to hike gas prices, which would be a great... read more We strongly oppose any and all proposals being put forth by Gov Mills in regards to increasing Maine’s electronic cars, charging stations, and plans to hike gas prices, which would be a great hardship on the hard working people of Maine. Please oppose and stop this change to our state by Gov Mills, Maine people do not want or need this agenda to move forward. |
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2/9/2020 |
Cindy |
Scalz |
Independant |
Pawtucket |
Rhode Island |
I am outrageously against ANY Climate initiative that my state has secretly been working on with Council on Foreign Relations and Governor Gina Raimondo leading this pack of legislation even... read more I am outrageously against ANY Climate initiative that my state has secretly been working on with Council on Foreign Relations and Governor Gina Raimondo leading this pack of legislation even against the will of the Rhode Island Constituents. We are Fed up with All she has implemented here and want it reversed. UGLY Wind turbines LITTERING our coastline and now trying to keep fossil fuel off our energy supply so to get everyone on the GRID that WORLD BANKS FUND? NO NO NO I PROTEST ALL OF IT INCLUDING THE DEADLY 5G!!!! People have WOKEN UP and are REVOLTING!!!! |
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5/27/2019 |
Claire |
Simmers |
citizen |
Bethany Beach |
Delaware |
I live in Bethany Beach, DE and strongly believe that we need to take action to begin to counter the devastating impact of humanity on the environment. This is one step in the right direction.... read more I live in Bethany Beach, DE and strongly believe that we need to take action to begin to counter the devastating impact of humanity on the environment. This is one step in the right direction. Please set a policy that has a price high enough to effectively reduce emissions according to the latest science. Please design a policy that has a strong component of social equity and doesn’t hurt rural, low/moderate income people. Thank you for the bipartisan nature of this project as we must work together as hard to fix as we did to break the environment. |
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1/11/2020 |
Claire |
Rock |
Independent |
Island Falls |
Maine |
Higher taxes will burden the people of Maine. Jobs here in Maine are not with out transportation for a great many miles. Please think of the people of Maine.
Higher taxes will burden the people of Maine. Jobs here in Maine are not with out transportation for a great many miles. Please think of the people of Maine.
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1/16/2020 |
Claire |
Whitcomb |
Madison Environmental Commison |
Madison |
New Jersey |
Climate change cannot be solved by individual or even municipal action. We need strong regional collaboration to create a transportation plan with low carbon alternatives to cars. This will not... read more Climate change cannot be solved by individual or even municipal action. We need strong regional collaboration to create a transportation plan with low carbon alternatives to cars. This will not only fight climate change it will reduce traffic and improve citizens quality of life, especially in a densely populated state like NJ.
I urge Governor Murphy to continue to lead the way on this critical regional partnership. |
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1/29/2020 |
Claire |
Matthews |
CFE Save the Sound |
Essex |
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.
I support a transportation plan that is focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and pollution while investing in sustainable transportation modes. Bus transit, rail, walking, and biking must be improved across the state, especially in cities and town centers.
This transportation plan is also a land use plan, and we must stop investing in a sprawling, unsustainable development model. Future development in the state must be in cities, town centers, and near transit stations.
We should not be investing in expanding interstates. Expanding our interstates in Connecticut both increases emissions in the long term from induced demand and increased driving while putting development pressure on the state’s dwindling forests and farms.
Many cities and towns in the region have shovel-ready plans to improve transit, rail, and active transportation. We must invest in a future with more people on buses, trains, on foot, and riding bicycles. That future includes more transit-oriented development in walkable communities.
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.
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2/22/2020 |
Claire |
Matthews |
CTSI |
Essex |
Connecticut |
A plan to reduce carbon from transportation is overdue. The time for saving the planet is shrinking. We can not delay any longer. Everyone at every level of society must act now. Please... read more A plan to reduce carbon from transportation is overdue. The time for saving the planet is shrinking. We can not delay any longer. Everyone at every level of society must act now. Please proceed with great haste to put a solid plan out there and to apply necessary resources to complete it. CT needs to put tolls on their highways like most of the other states in the project. Fossil fuel emissions need to be taxed higher. Public transportation needs more investment... This isn't tomorrows problem.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to comment. |
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2/26/2020 |
Claire |
Perricelli |
Mrs. |
Eureka |
California |
We MUST refigure our methods of transportation to account for emissions. I hope we are embracing all possible solutions. More charging stations, more mass transit, electric buses, rail, etc... read more We MUST refigure our methods of transportation to account for emissions. I hope we are embracing all possible solutions. More charging stations, more mass transit, electric buses, rail, etc. |
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2/24/2020 |
Clare |
Fey |
Ms |
Lancaster |
Pennsylvania |
Climate Change must be a major topic addressed by our government. The new types of energy (sun and wind) help with the Climate problem and create new jobs to replace the jobs lost in the oil and... read more Climate Change must be a major topic addressed by our government. The new types of energy (sun and wind) help with the Climate problem and create new jobs to replace the jobs lost in the oil and coal world. Addressing this issue supports all the people in the world, not just the super-rich. There is no reason not to get on board and make Climate Change a thing of the past. |
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1/16/2020 |
claudyne |
wilder |
Wilder Presentations |
Chestnut Hill |
Massachusetts |
Please set up a strong plan to reduce pollution from transportation. I support Massachusetts joining this plan. The time is passing. We need to make drastic changes now. I am ready. Please set up a strong plan to reduce pollution from transportation. I support Massachusetts joining this plan. The time is passing. We need to make drastic changes now. I am ready. |
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10/27/2019 |
Clayton |
McKay |
taxpayer |
DIXFIELD |
Maine |
Adding costs to fuels used by every citizen in Maine is an unbelievably stupid and punishing move against the voting public. Adding costs to fuels used by every citizen in Maine is an unbelievably stupid and punishing move against the voting public. |
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3/5/2020 |
Clem |
Dinsmore |
Climate & Energy Committee, Sierra Club DE chapter |
Wilmington |
Delaware |
My initial thoughts/questions are attached in the file upload. I welcome discussion of them. My initial thoughts/questions are attached in the file upload. I welcome discussion of them. |
QUESTIONS RETRANSPORTATION_0.pdf |
1/18/2020 |
Cliff and Margot |
Ammon |
3rd Planet from the Sun |
Saratoga Springs |
New York |
We've all known since he early 1960s, that global warming/climate crisis endangers all life, including Homo Sapiens (the top of the food chain), on Earth. I wonder whether lack of December... read more We've all known since he early 1960s, that global warming/climate crisis endangers all life, including Homo Sapiens (the top of the food chain), on Earth. I wonder whether lack of December 8,1941 action, continuously, to address the issue, is Mass Murder, or Mass Suicide. We've also known, since the '60s, the solutions to this potential 6th Major Extinction. Everything we can do to cut out CO2 from burning fossil fuel, and the faster, before we reach the "Tipping Point" the better. Keep up the good work. |
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5/28/2019 |
Clifford |
Strawitch |
Citizens Climate Lobby |
Ellicott City |
Maryland |
My name is Cliff Strawitch and I live in Ellicott City, Maryland. Having witnessed firsthand the devastation caused to historic downtown Ellicott City by two catastrophic floods in less than two... read more My name is Cliff Strawitch and I live in Ellicott City, Maryland. Having witnessed firsthand the devastation caused to historic downtown Ellicott City by two catastrophic floods in less than two years, which science tells us was made worse by climate change, I am highly motivated to demand action to reduce greenhouse gasses. The recent IPCC and National Climate Assessment reports on climate change make the urgency of such action clear. Since fossil fuel combustion by transportation is now the largest source of greenhouse gasses, action to reduce this source is essential.
Based on my readings, I believe the best way to reduce this source of greenhouse gasses is a tax on fossil fuels used for transportation. This carbon tax on fossil fuel combustion received the endorsement in the Wall Street Journal on January 17 of 3554 economists including 27 Nobel laureates, 15 former chairs of the Council of Economic Advisors and 2 former Secretaries of the US Department of the Treasury. This approach has been demonstrated in British Columbia (BC), Canada since 2008 to both be effective and politically popular. Figure 1{1} shows just how effective it was at reducing refined petroleum fuel use and therefore greenhouse gas emissions in BC as compared to the rest of Canada.
Figure 1: reduction is fuel use in BC as compared to the rest of Canada. The vertical line at 2008 marks the introduction of the fuel tax.
All the revenues generated by this tax were returned to the people as a reduction in other taxes. After some initial resistance, the tax became popular due to this tax reduction feature. Starting at $10 per ton of carbon dioxide, the tax rose $5 per year until 2012, and has remained at $30 per ton ever since.{1} The tax had no statistically significant impact on GDP, a testament to its ability to shield business and consumers. British Columbia’s GDP growth was on par with the rest of Canada from 2008-2011, actually performing slightly better than the rest of Canada by 0.1 percent. In addition, numerous studies, for example the REMI study{2} , show that this approach benefits the majority of families, including the most financially vulnerable, since they will receive more from this carbon dividend than they pay for increased fuel costs.
In his recent book{3}, Professor Gilbert Metcalf of Tufts University points out that a Cap and Trade approach often suffers from political and economic forces that tend to drive the value of a carbon permit for a ton of CO¬2 down to values that are simply too low to be effective at reducing greenhouse gas emissions as is the case with the current European Emission Trading System{3}. In addition, the price volatility caused by these same forces makes planning very difficult for corporations needing to purchase such permits. A carbon tax suffers from neither of these problems and is therefore in my opinion the best way to address greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector.
References
1. “Analyzing British Columbia’s Carbon Tax: by Wharton Public Policy Initiative, October 30, 2016, https://publicpolicy.wharton.upenn.edu/live/news/1520-analyzing-british-columbias-carbon-tax
2. The Economic, Climate, Fiscal, Power, and Demographic Impact of a National Fee-and-Dividend Carbon Tax”, Regional Economic Modeling Inc., June 9, 2014, https://citizensclimatelobby.org/remi-report/
3. “Paying for Pollution: Why a Carbon Tax is Good for America”, Gilbert E. Metcalf, Oxford University Press, 2019 |
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5/29/2019 |
Clifford |
Strawitch |
Citizens Climate Lobby |
Ellicott City |
Maryland |
I attach the PDF file of my response since it failed to upload yesterday (5/28) after many attempts. Please attach this to my response from yesterday. Thanks. I attach the PDF file of my response since it failed to upload yesterday (5/28) after many attempts. Please attach this to my response from yesterday. Thanks. |
Cliff Strawitch Response.pdf |
1/13/2020 |
Clifford |
Norton Jr |
Republican |
Machiasport |
Maine |
The last thing our state needs is a tax increase, especially on fuel. People in this state, and especially Washington County, need to travel a lot because we are so spread out. That takes a huge... read more The last thing our state needs is a tax increase, especially on fuel. People in this state, and especially Washington County, need to travel a lot because we are so spread out. That takes a huge bite our of our meager income as it is. With other states pulling out of this "deal," we would be foolish to enter or remain in it. We are already one of the leaders in carbon reduction. This proposal makes no sense. |
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1/16/2020 |
Clifford |
Schorer |
Columbia University |
Greenwich |
Connecticut |
The challenge does not lie with a shortage of efficient technology. We possess all that we need. Steps to take:Set strict standards for the energy efficiency of all buildings. They are a major... read more The challenge does not lie with a shortage of efficient technology. We possess all that we need. Steps to take:Set strict standards for the energy efficiency of all buildings. They are a major source of pollution. Ratings are easy to establish and monitor and with common sense upgrades. - coupled with heavy fines for non-compliers. Utilize advanced battery technology combined with solar and wind making it possible to have an extremely energy efficient home that is not even connected to the grid. This will work now in many parts of the county. The payback is fast, the results incredible. Develop and utilize high speed rail service that will minimize the heavy pollution caused by air travel (More pollution is generated by a coast to coast flight than if every passenger drove instead. Develop dedicated truck "piggy back rail service" between regional hubs. Of course local and accessible parking are key. Reward companies for staggering work hours to maximize traffic flow. Stop subsidies for Oil and Gas production and put the savings to research. If we are serious we can accomplish in a limited time frame. |
c.pdf |