12/15/2019 |
Dave |
Jones |
Fed-up taxpayer |
Medway |
Massachusetts |
The Baker-Polito administration have once again proven themselves to be a joke. I am embarrassed to say I voted for them, but at one time I believed Charlie Baker would bring some common sense and... read more The Baker-Polito administration have once again proven themselves to be a joke. I am embarrassed to say I voted for them, but at one time I believed Charlie Baker would bring some common sense and change to this corrupt state. Our elected officials are only out for themselves led by the biggest pig in the poke Deleo. What a self serving crook, and the rest of the "vote myself a pay raise" electorate are no better. This sneaky tax disguised as some half baked plan to save the environment is just another money grab at the expense of the Massachusetts tax payers who seem ripe for the picking since these same crooked legislators keep getting voted in. Fool me once Governor Baker, shame on you...fool me twice, shame on me. Never again will I waste a vote on you. You have been a big disappointment! NO TO THIS T.A.X.!!! And let's consider term limits for all offices in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Those that stay in office too long seem to come down with a raging case of Greedy Pig disease |
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10/26/2020 |
Dave |
Chamberlain |
Raytheon Technologies |
Andover |
Massachusetts |
Thanks to the 11 states (plus DC) for addressing transportation emissions through the TCI. I worked for the US DOE back in the 1990's when we began the Clean Cities program, and am... read more Thanks to the 11 states (plus DC) for addressing transportation emissions through the TCI. I worked for the US DOE back in the 1990's when we began the Clean Cities program, and am frustrated that more progress has not resulted with clean transportation. I believe the TCI will be successful similar as the RGGI initiative has been with the power sector, and will continue actively promoting it and encourage others to support it. |
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2/26/2020 |
Daviann |
McClurg |
Concerned resident/parent/grandparent |
Larned |
Kansas |
Since the federal government under Trump and McConnell refuse to do anything, the responsibility falls to governors, mayors and conscientious industries to take the lead. Please making Kansas a... read more Since the federal government under Trump and McConnell refuse to do anything, the responsibility falls to governors, mayors and conscientious industries to take the lead. Please making Kansas a leading state reducing transportation emissions. A few suggestions are: investing in public transportation, walking paths, and biking lanes.
Since Kansas is also a large agricultural presence, the state must be proactive in sustainable farming practices and limiting agricultural irrigation systems. |
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5/26/2019 |
David |
Chamberlain |
Citizen |
Chelmsford |
Massachusetts |
I believe the TCI is long overdue and will help us transition to electrified transportation, just as RGGI has done for renewable energy. I encourage TCI states to be as aggressive as possible to... read more I believe the TCI is long overdue and will help us transition to electrified transportation, just as RGGI has done for renewable energy. I encourage TCI states to be as aggressive as possible to encourage utilities, suppliers and end users to aid a rapid transition. I also hope TCI can expand beyond the 9 states to a national initiative. Thank you for this critically important initiative! |
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5/28/2019 |
David |
Simons |
Citizen's Climate Lobby |
Lexington |
Massachusetts |
I am a resident of Lexington, and I do volunteer work educating and lobbying on climate action for Citizen' Climate Lobby and the Massachusetts Campaign for a Clean Energy Future. I am... read more I am a resident of Lexington, and I do volunteer work educating and lobbying on climate action for Citizen' Climate Lobby and the Massachusetts Campaign for a Clean Energy Future. I am pleased that the Governor is pursuing a multi-state transportation and climate initiative. For the program to be effective, it needs to include a price on carbon that is high enough to reduce emissions, and uses (or rebates) the funds raised in a way that protects low and moderate income residents. |
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5/28/2019 |
David |
Clark |
Citizens Climate Lobby |
Owings |
Maryland |
The Citizens Climate Lobby is a nonpartisan nonprofit volunteer advocacy group with over 500 grassroots chapters. CCL supports the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act, H.R. 763, a market-... read more The Citizens Climate Lobby is a nonpartisan nonprofit volunteer advocacy group with over 500 grassroots chapters. CCL supports the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act, H.R. 763, a market-based solution to climate change that encourages emissions reductions while helping the economy.
Please see:
https://citizensclimatelobby.org/energy-innovation-and-carbon-dividend-act/
for more information and how you can help.
“Most impressive is the work of Citizens’ Climate Lobby…If you want to join the fight to save the planet, to save creation for your grandchildren, there is no more effective step you could take than becoming an active member of this group.” ~ Dr. James Hansen, Climate Scientist, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center |
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10/8/2019 |
David |
Gudas |
None |
LEWISTON |
Maine |
Stop this madness. Maine is one of the poorest most unfriendly business States in the USA, run by a Governor with an ego the size of the West coast. The citizens cannot afford to fund these... read more Stop this madness. Maine is one of the poorest most unfriendly business States in the USA, run by a Governor with an ego the size of the West coast. The citizens cannot afford to fund these baseless, wishful climate initiatives, through excessive fuel prices. |
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10/9/2019 |
David |
Gagnon |
Semi retired |
Lewiston |
Maine |
This Gov. is wrong ion negotiating this deal without having to pass this through referendom. Her only purpose is tax the Maine people into oblivion. Her tax and spend policies will serve no... read more This Gov. is wrong ion negotiating this deal without having to pass this through referendom. Her only purpose is tax the Maine people into oblivion. Her tax and spend policies will serve no purpose but to lower Maine's standard of living by driving more people below the poverty line. This governor needs to be stoped. |
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10/9/2019 |
David |
Buchannon |
Citizen, voter, taxpayer |
Springfield |
Massachusetts |
So, a group of well-meaning yet unelected people are pursuing a plan to impose new gas taxes on hard-working, tax paying citizens without following the legislative process. Ever heard of taxation... read more So, a group of well-meaning yet unelected people are pursuing a plan to impose new gas taxes on hard-working, tax paying citizens without following the legislative process. Ever heard of taxation without representation? It was kinda what inspired those who founded this great country and there are a lot of Northeastern citizens who will rally against your efforts. You people need to drop these crazy ideas that will certainly cripple our economy. |
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10/23/2019 |
David |
Askwith |
Convenience Retailing ,LLC |
Columbia |
Maryland |
One year is not enough time for people to meet the criteria. There is already a Veip Program. How about requiring testing annually vs bi-annually. One year is not enough time for people to meet the criteria. There is already a Veip Program. How about requiring testing annually vs bi-annually. |
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10/25/2019 |
DAVID |
BOWMAN |
First Baptist Church |
JACKMAN |
Maine |
This would be a good idea for Boston, and other major cities, however it will not be good for Maine. This would be a good idea for Boston, and other major cities, however it will not be good for Maine. |
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10/29/2019 |
David |
Fountain |
none |
Cape Neddick |
Maine |
Gov Mills, please do not lead Maine into joining this initiative. This is going to raise gas prices and hurt Mainers. Gov Mills, please do not lead Maine into joining this initiative. This is going to raise gas prices and hurt Mainers. |
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10/31/2019 |
David |
Berry |
Maine Resident |
Belfast |
Maine |
Not good for Maine and not good for Maine people. Not good for Maine and not good for Maine people. |
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10/31/2019 |
David |
Moore |
Moore's Country Stores, Inc. |
Lynchburg |
Virginia |
(my company which employs 95-108 people) is strongly opposed to the "framework for a draft regional policy proposal" which seeks to expropriate the petroleum marketing industry. Over... read more (my company which employs 95-108 people) is strongly opposed to the "framework for a draft regional policy proposal" which seeks to expropriate the petroleum marketing industry. Over time this plan proposes to move Virginia from simple rationing and new taxes to the ultimate prohibition of fossil fuels.
•This plan does not assess the collateral damage it will inflict on state revenue, local tax collections, Virginia's Transportation Trust fund, and consumers.
•Many of the advocates of these policies support regulation to electrify transportation. Those advocates somehow forget to mention that a major component of batteries powering these vehicles is cobalt, 90 percent of which is mined in third world countries under unfavorable working conditions.
•As the number of electric vehicles grows, petroleum marketers will likely have to battle for a share of the electric vehicle charging market with utility companies that see EV charging as a new business opportunity without cost. When utility companies install charging stations, they may seek the ability to include that cost as part of their capital investment. When these costs are approved by governmental regulatory agencies, they can then be passed on to all ratepayers as part of their monthly electric bills.
•(my company) believes this would provide regulated utilities an unfair competitive advantage that Virginia based small businesses simply cannot compete with. I must economically justify and self-fund at risk investments in new equipment like EV charging stations and so should my competition.
•Another likely competitor under this scheme is the state government itself. This is not a concept, as just this past session the General Assembly passed legislation to allow the Departments of Conservation and Recreation, General Services, and Transportation to install electric chargers. Fortunately our association was able to narrow this initiative considerably by limiting the number of state agencies involved and mitigating the threat of unfair competition by requiring the state to sell the power at prevailing market rates including taxes.
•All Virginians, particularly the petroleum marketing and convenience industries, support a clean environment. There are many ways to achieve this without rationing. Incentivizing the sale of electric vehicles does nothing to meet your stated goals of "equity, environmental justice, and non-discrimination." As one example, the stated goals could be achieved far faster and cheaper via efforts to assist low-income Virginians to purchase more fuel efficient vehicles that meet current and future CAFÉ standards.
•History has proven that rationing followed by prohibition - the ultimate goal of TCI - has led to black markets, unregulated and untaxed sales, and undue burdens on law enforcement.
•The impact of these proposals will not be solely on fuel sellers and convenience stores - what about the auto repair industry, muffler shops, service facilities at new car dealers, quick lubes etc.? What about agriculture, construction and watermen who will be forced to scrap present equipment or pay artificially high prices due to rationing? What about the consumer who will experience not only higher prices to operate their personal vehicles, but higher prices for consumer goods and services?
•(my company) opposes the TCI plan to ration, tax and ultimately eliminate fossil fuels.
Finally, this initiative is based on very questionable "science", and ultimately does little to reduce carbon output, because utility companies still burn mostly fossil fuels to produce the electricity. The massive battery industry that will be required to support such an initiative also exposes the environment to hazardous chemicals, and this will be an ongoing risk as "shade tree" electricians and mechanics are left to alter or dispose of these massive batteries wherever recycling is impractical.
The best way to let good technology become better technology is through competition in the market place. Just look at how much improvement has been made in average fuel mileage and emissions over the last 3 decades. The air and water is far cleaner today than it has been in past recent decades, while at the same time economic output has gone up by orders of magnitude.
This is a dangerous political agenda that will cost millions of American Jobs in an ultimately futile effort to force the economic workload from fossil fuels and onto an industry that is no where near ready to take it on! Better fuels, and more efficient cars have come a very long way in a relatively short period of time. This improvement will continue as long as normal competitive markets are not interfered with. Electrified transportation will ultimate gain a significant place in the market as long as it becomes cost effective and convenient. The free market will sort this all out over time without government interference or subsidy.
This initiative is a total waste of tax payer dollars, and amounts to the government using our tax dollars against our own better interests!
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11/1/2019 |
David |
Cockerham |
Retailer/Marketer |
Galax |
Virginia |
Cockerham Energy, a third-generation family business which currently employs approximately 115 people and has employed hundreds of others throughout its 70+ years serving Southwest Virginia, is... read more Cockerham Energy, a third-generation family business which currently employs approximately 115 people and has employed hundreds of others throughout its 70+ years serving Southwest Virginia, is strongly opposed to the "framework for a draft regional policy proposal" which seeks to expropriate the fossil fuel industry. Over time this plan proposes to move Virginia from simple rationing and new taxes to the ultimate prohibition of fossil fuels.
• This plan does not assess the collateral damage it will inflict on state revenue, local tax collections, Virginia's Transportation Trust fund, small business and consumers.
• Many of the advocates of these policies support regulation to electrify transportation. Those advocates somehow forget to mention that a major component of batteries powering these vehicles is cobalt, 90 percent of which is mined in third world countries under unfavorable working conditions.
• As the number of electric vehicles grows, petroleum marketers will likely have to battle for a share of the electric vehicle charging market with utility companies that see EV charging as a new business opportunity without cost. When utility companies install charging stations, they may seek the ability to include that cost as part of their capital investment. When these costs are approved by governmental regulatory agencies, they can then be passed on to all ratepayers as part of their monthly electric bills.
• Cockerham Energy believes this would provide regulated utilities an unfair competitive advantage that Virginia based small businesses simply cannot compete with. Our company must economically justify and self-fund at risk investments in new equipment like EV charging stations and so should my competition.
• Another likely competitor under this scheme is the state government itself, whereby the state government starts pushing one form of power (electric) over others, instead of letting the competitive marketplace work under capitalism.
• As a propane and heating oil marketer I support a clean environment. There are many ways to achieve this without rationing. Incentivizing the sale of electric vehicles does nothing to meet your stated goals of "equity, environmental justice, and non-discrimination." As one example, the stated goals could be achieved far faster and cheaper via efforts to assist low-income Virginians to purchase more fuel efficient vehicles that meet current and future CAFÉ standards.
• History has proven that rationing followed by prohibition - the ultimate goal of TCI - has led to black markets, unregulated and untaxed sales, and undue burdens on law enforcement.
• The impact of these proposals will not be solely on propane and heating oil businesses such as mine - what about the auto repair industry, muffler shops, service facilities at new car dealers, quick lubes etc.? What about agriculture, construction and watermen who will be forced to scrap present equipment or pay artificially high prices due to rationing? What about the consumer who will experience not only higher prices to operate their personal vehicles, but higher prices for consumer goods and services?
Cockerham Energy opposes the TCI plan to ration, tax and ultimately eliminate fossil fuels.
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11/1/2019 |
David |
Walsh |
WOCO Oil Company, Inc. |
Mechanicsville |
Virginia |
|
TCI input WOCO 20191101.doc |
11/2/2019 |
David |
Boyer |
Mr. |
Belfast |
Maine |
TCI is needed to both improve the transportation infrastructure in Maine and to aid in the necessary transition away from carbon-fueled private transportation. We will need much more low or no... read more TCI is needed to both improve the transportation infrastructure in Maine and to aid in the necessary transition away from carbon-fueled private transportation. We will need much more low or no carbon mass or public transit to enable Mainers to adapt to a changing ecology. It is tempting for older adults (I am 80) to have only a short term view of the future, but our imagination must take us to fully consider the world our grandchildren and their families will inhabit. An adequate adaptation to climate change must begin now in all phases of our lives. |
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11/3/2019 |
David |
Iveeson |
Small Business Owner |
Dexter |
Maine |
Any state or federal mandated permitting fee's or government interference in commerce would negatively impaft my small business, through increased petroleum costs for my shop vehicle and an... read more Any state or federal mandated permitting fee's or government interference in commerce would negatively impaft my small business, through increased petroleum costs for my shop vehicle and an increase in shipping costs passed on to my business from UPS, FedEx and USPS. Please remove yourself from national politics Gov Mills, you are the governor of Maine, not a regional consortium. |
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11/3/2019 |
David |
Reece |
NRDC |
Kennebunk |
Maine |
Carbon emissions and global climate change are issues that transcend all geopolitical boundaries. Carbon emissions are a sum total game. No matter where you live on the planet you are being... read more Carbon emissions and global climate change are issues that transcend all geopolitical boundaries. Carbon emissions are a sum total game. No matter where you live on the planet you are being impacted by rising carbon levels. The spot on the earth where the carbon is emitted is irrelevant. Each molecule contributes to the overall global level.
For this reason I wholeheartedly endorse the TCI. By virtue of it's regional approach, the TCI addresses the issue of carbon reduction on a scale that begins to match the scale of the problem. Furthermore, cap and invest programs and other financial motives have a proven track record in reducing emissions. Because we're all in this together, we'll have greater success if we act together. |
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11/4/2019 |
David |
Durfee |
Climate Advocates of Bennington affiliate of 350 Vermont |
Bennington |
Vermont |
Prevention of the most disastrous effects of climate heating requires the equitable, coordinated, action of millions of people backed by the authority of government.Single states by themselves are... read more Prevention of the most disastrous effects of climate heating requires the equitable, coordinated, action of millions of people backed by the authority of government.Single states by themselves are not enough.A national effort would be best, but is impossible under the current administration. Mutual effort, support, among groups of states is probably the best we can hope for and would produce mutual benefits for them. |
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