TCI Regional Policy Design Stakeholder Submissions

Please help lead the NE States to create a truly carbon neutral, or, even better, zero carbon, transportation network. There is no time to waste, and the urgency means that the goals of climate neutral transportation for millions of Americans are far more important than the often distorted jobs vs. environment misinformation of the fossil fuel industry. We need to be fossil free as soon as possible, because, quite literally, the future of life on earth depends on it!

Elected officials shall not allow any automatic tax (or whatever you want to call it). To all elected officials: Do Your Job!

It was brought to my attention that TCI has marginalized the importance of creating more bike/ped infrastructure. I received this excerpt from your report: "Due to the physical exertion and relatively slow pace, bicycle and pedestrian trips tend to be short in length (on average, not more than five miles for the former, and two miles for the latter) (EPA, 2011), meaning that these modes are unlikely to be viable substitutes for trips between more distant locales, no matter what measures are put in place to encourage their use. It has also been found that walking, in particular, is more likely to be used for recreation, rather than as a commuting option for workers (EPA 2011)." This does not take into consideration what has been proven in places that have good bicycle infrastructure. People will choose to bicycle even long distances if they feel safe and comfortable on the roads. Copenhagen is one example where the bike ways they made have increased the distance people will commute. This is an environmental as well as a public health issue. Obesity in the U.S. is a problem, and highlighted at this time when obesity is making Americans more susceptible to Covid-19. Please change your position and reasoning on bike/ped infrastructure so that more people and groups will support TCI. The more travel by human power the better for the health of the environment and people. And while electric cars may eventually help, currently only 18% of U.S. electricity is from renewable sources, the rest is from fossil fuels and nuclear energy.

I feel that dealing with climate change is an extremely urgent, as the extremes of weather demonstrate, and changing current trends takes much more change in or behavior than has been seen so fat. I believe in the prediction of the scientific community, who predict that at our current dealing with current consumption our arriving at the sixth extinction of most life on this planet, Transportation is an important part of current habits that cause harm. It is one of many ways we can work to reduce the problem, but relatively easy to carry out, as it's in the public eye. At age 85, I'm deeply troubled not only for myself, but for my children, grandchildren, not to mention all humanity, and the animals, plants, and or entire beautiful planet.
I'm heartened to see that young people are becoming involved, as the are most in harm's way. At S

Good fast clean public transportation would be a good start to reduce carbon emissions.

No! Absolutely OPPOSED! Mills Wasting Tax $ once again! Want cleaner air? Put in BICYCLE RACKS in these more populated areas. Two birds, one stone! Promote good health and less emissions! Use the $$ to fix our ROADS that swallow up theses “ electric beauties “ in one Pot Hole! Or how about new tires for “ working taxpayer” ! Better gas mileage, less emissions!

This initiative brings hope for a regional collaboration to reduce harmful pollution and needless expense in the transportation sector. Please hear the voices of the people who believe in science and support local solutions to local challenges. We have the ability to forge new ways of getting people where they want and need to go, without destroying our environment or contributing financially to the producers of fossil fuels, most of whom do not reside in New England. We have the ability, now we need to have the will to do the groundwork and follow through.

We need a strong emissions reduction policy to swiftly reduce our carbon footprint in an attempt to reverse global warming within the next 10 years to a 50% reduction and by 100% by 2050!
Transportation is responsible for 40% of our carbon emissions in the Northeast. Therefore, I request that Massachusetts formally join the plan to reduce emissions in the transportation sector thereby showing a strong commitment to be a leader in fighting global warming. We need investments in clean public transportation, new technologies such as electric cars, trucks, buses, trains and ferries, and a cap and invest policy to incentivize industry to move away from the polluting of our air and water and the warming of our atmosphere caused by CO2 emissions.
Furthermore, I urge you to make sure that any policy formulated will have a strong component of equity by prioritizing CLEAN investments in areas overburdened by pollution as well as prioritizing protection and inclusion for those who do not have access.
I commend the bipartisan nature of this project, with both parties taking the initiative to move us forward on a local basis as a region while the federal government proceeds in the opposite direction with more harvesting, transporting and burning of fossil fuels, including coal, oil, nuclear and gas. We need to do this and we can, with or without federal cooperation and support.

The Transportation and Climate Initiative is a step towards decarbonizing our transportation system. As an owner of an electric vehicle I am particularly concerned about the need for real infrastructure to support electric vehicles. We also need high speed rail to connect urban and rural areas to make long distance driving less necessary. Though I love my EV I would rather take the train to Boston!