2/26/2020 |
Susan |
Sternberg |
citizen |
Hamden |
Connecticut |
I support a regional approach to address carbon emissions. I hope the use of private jets, planes and helicopters have been factored into the initiative. Over the past several years there has been... read more I support a regional approach to address carbon emissions. I hope the use of private jets, planes and helicopters have been factored into the initiative. Over the past several years there has been a noticeable and considerable uptick in private air traffic over my home and neighborhood none of which originated from the town I live. Not only are these vehicles of transport contributing to carbon in our atmosphere they are creating considerable noise pollution. |
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2/26/2020 |
Susan |
Bonthron |
Grandmother, book binder, educator |
Guilford |
Vermont |
I am writing as a concerned citizen, mother and grandmother who believes we must do all we can to keep the planet safe for our families and future generations. Therefore we must concentrate on... read more I am writing as a concerned citizen, mother and grandmother who believes we must do all we can to keep the planet safe for our families and future generations. Therefore we must concentrate on reducing carbon emissions now. Transportation is Vermont’s weakest sector, which is why Vermont especially needs to join TCI and help lead the northeast to a cleaner energy future.
Cap and invest programs are not new to Vermont. Since Gov. Douglas signed Vermont on to RGGI in 2008, Vermont’s cap and invest program has successfully reduced consumer costs and carbon pollution from the power sector by 40%, and its revenues have raised $2 million annually for weatherization programs to help Vermonters stop wasting energy and save money. Given that we know this type of project works, adopting TCI makes perfect sense. As I grow older I want to be able to age in place, and having greener options for transportation is the only way I’ll be able to do it. I am urging you on behalf of Vermonters like me and my aging friends as well as generations of future Vermonters to make sure that Vermont formally joins TCI. We must use every opportunity to create a clean energy future that works better for everyone, especially our most vulnerable. Thank you for the work you’ve done so far to advance TCI across the region. |
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2/26/2020 |
Susan |
Babbitt |
NA |
Philadelphia |
Pennsylvania |
We need improved transportation options, and assurance polluters will pay for the damage they have caused. This must be addressed now.
Pennsylvania must jump in to reduce transportation... read more We need improved transportation options, and assurance polluters will pay for the damage they have caused. This must be addressed now.
Pennsylvania must jump in to reduce transportation emissions, with investments in public transportation, biking, and walking. |
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2/27/2020 |
Susan |
Mullins |
Sierra Club member, 350.org |
Bloomfield |
New Jersey |
As a coastal state with water on 3 sides, it behooves us to change the character and emissions standards of our transportation system. We absolutely need more mass transit and more EVs to do our... read more As a coastal state with water on 3 sides, it behooves us to change the character and emissions standards of our transportation system. We absolutely need more mass transit and more EVs to do our part in keeping down the rising sea levels. The Bergen Record had an article this last summer that put a possible more than 26 Super Storm Sandys by 2100. Investment now, by comparison, looks cheap. |
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2/27/2020 |
Susan |
Olson |
Citizen's Climate Lobby |
Weatogue |
Connecticut |
My husband walks a mile rain or shine to ride the bus to work in Hartford. The public transportation system is critical to him. However, since moving to CT, he has a cough which he attributes to... read more My husband walks a mile rain or shine to ride the bus to work in Hartford. The public transportation system is critical to him. However, since moving to CT, he has a cough which he attributes to low air quality. When I travel to Washington DC I use bus transportation. It is efficient and cost effective. We do have a hybrid gas/electric vehicle which we charge at the charging station in front of our
town hall. My family requests Gov Lamont formally join the TCI Initiative and pursue aggressive greenhouse gas emissions reductions so
air quality in our cities (for our school children and others like my husband) will improve and the transportation sector will support
individuals like us seeking to transition to electric vehicles and public transport. We appreciate Gov Lamont's leadership.
Sincerely,
Jon and Susan Olson, 109 Hopmeadow St, Weatogue, CT |
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2/28/2020 |
Susan |
Markland |
Citizen |
Gambrills |
Maryland |
I support this initiative. I support this initiative. |
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2/28/2020 |
Susan |
Nerlinger |
Ms. |
Olney |
Maryland |
I am writing to express my support for the Transportation and Climate Initiative. It has the potential to generate the funds Maryland needs to create an expanded network of public transportation... read more I am writing to express my support for the Transportation and Climate Initiative. It has the potential to generate the funds Maryland needs to create an expanded network of public transportation and other public utilities that can lead us to a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions. I'm sure you know that the transportation sector is the largest emitter of greenhouse gas emissions, so that is where it is urgently necessary to target government's effort. The majority of Maryland's citizens support it, so it should be easy to vote in favor of it.
Thank you for your attention to this vital issue. |
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2/28/2020 |
Susan |
Miller |
Dr. (Ms.) |
Richmond |
Virginia |
As a Family Physician I am solidly in favor of having Virginia join the TCI. My patients will benefit from cleaner air resulting in fewer asthma attacks and fewer heart attacks. If if we build a... read more As a Family Physician I am solidly in favor of having Virginia join the TCI. My patients will benefit from cleaner air resulting in fewer asthma attacks and fewer heart attacks. If if we build a multimodal transit system, my patients will benefit from being able to walk and ride bikes safely becoming more fit and less obese. It is imperative that we join both the Regional Green house Gas Initiative and the Transportation and Climate Initiative to ensure a livable world for our children. |
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2/28/2020 |
Susan |
Blain |
Ms |
Gardner |
Massachusetts |
Massachusetts does better than many states in terms of environmental initiatives, but we are a long way from where we could be. We are working against a clock that seems to be accelerating (as is... read more Massachusetts does better than many states in terms of environmental initiatives, but we are a long way from where we could be. We are working against a clock that seems to be accelerating (as is the climate crisis). We need to speed up our productive responses. |
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2/28/2020 |
Susan |
Eastwood |
Ashford Clean Energy Task Force |
Ashford |
Connecticut |
I strongly support the Transportation and Climate Initiative TCI) because we have an urgent need to reduce our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in order to slow the devastating impacts of climate... read more I strongly support the Transportation and Climate Initiative TCI) because we have an urgent need to reduce our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in order to slow the devastating impacts of climate change. Connecticut and other states have set goals and made some progress, but we cannot meet this challenge by working separately. The success of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) shows the power of regional cooperation.
Transportation is now the largest source of GHG in Connecticut, accounting for 43% of GHG emissions, most of this coming from non-diesel light vehicles, in other words, our cars! Each year, American passenger cars and trucks, through vehicle tailpipe and oil extraction and transport emissions, spew upwards of three trillion tons of carbon pollution into the air by burning about 121 billion gallons of gasoline. In Connecticut, GHG emissions have risen since 2012, mostly in the transportation sector, likely due to lower gas prices, increased driving and increased popularity of inefficient vehicles (e.g., SUVs). TCI would support a switch to plug-in electric vehicles (EVs), which require no gasoline and emit no tailpipe pollution, presents a critical opportunity to slash pollution, create American jobs, reduce oil dependence, and benefit our state and regional economies.
Sales of electric cars are growing every year, but we need more EV-friendly policies to encourage a faster transition to an electrified transportation system. I own a fully electric vehicle and can attest to the benefits and savings, however we needed to add a level 2 charger to our garage to make charging faster and convenient. Many people, apartment dwellers and renters, cannot make these kinds of modifications to their residence. Of course, initial expense is also a barrier to adopting EVs for residents, municipalities and businesses. We must act now to remove barriers and make electric vehicles less expensive and more convenient. Connecticut should ensure long term funding for our successful EV incentive program, expand EV charging infrastructure, and encourage electrification of public transportation, school bus fleets, trucks and ships.
TCI will help us achieve our clean transportation goals by working cooperatively and will create a large regional market resulting in cost savings. We can achieve success by working regionally through the TCI to set goals and implement a cap on CO2 emissions from transportation, and fund clean transportation efforts by limiting, pricing, and reducing carbon pollution from transportation fuels.
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2/29/2020 |
Susan |
Schulman |
Hinesburg, VT citizen |
Hinesburg |
Vermont |
I believe that there is a climate emergency and that it would be irresponsible not to join the Transportation and Climate Initiative. I believe that there is a climate emergency and that it would be irresponsible not to join the Transportation and Climate Initiative. |
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10/14/2020 |
Susan |
Babbitt |
Individual |
Philadelphia |
Pennsylvania |
Greetings: I would like to say that we must have
a cap on carbon emissions of at least 25% by 2032 and an increase in the minimum investment in overburdened and underserved communities (... read more Greetings: I would like to say that we must have
a cap on carbon emissions of at least 25% by 2032 and an increase in the minimum investment in overburdened and underserved communities (>35%)
It would be fitting to use investments to promote active transportation: sidewalks, bicycle infrastructure, and high quality public transit.
Thank you for your attention. |
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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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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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1/19/2020 |
Sumner |
Roper |
Mr. |
Nashua |
New Hampshire |
|
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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 |
1/16/2020 |
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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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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