TCI Regional Policy Design Stakeholder Submissions

I fully support Vermont's signing onto the TCI. I read the MOU and liked its main tenets. I wholeheartedly support the goal of reducing carbon emissions. I also attended a meeting where the TCI was explained to the audience and then time for Q&A. The one thing that came up is that as much as possible this must address economic inequities.

I'm ambivalent... While I believe we must do what it takes to reduce our carbon footprint and a regional (or national) solution is needed, I read the MOU and don't understand how this raises more money than could be raised from either increasing the existing taxes on fuels or instituting a production- or distributor- level tax on all fuels. It is complex, requires new bureaucracy (overhead), and introduces opportunities for profiteers to work the system. And... it won't start to fund clean energy projects for two years. Conclusion: If this is the only way to increase cost of fossil fuels and incentivize green initiatives, then I'm supportive, but I'd prefer a more direct and immediate solution.

This is a great policy development initiative by TCI (Transportation & Climate Initiative). This policy development initiative for the northeastern states helps in spreading awareness among sub regions. The goals of this initiative in reducing carbon foot print, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, would need support of local and regional entities. Having local regions adopt this policy (once it is developed) would help in multi-state regional goals. Measuring existing conditions is the key to this initiative. Your approach is commendable on to how to measure CO2 emissions. This measurement may also be accomplished perhaps by placing measuring instruments in various locations in region. These measuring instruments will help monitor over a period of time. Data on health is also a key to support monitoring the emissions. Validating existing data with measurements would help forecasts. Traffic counts, GPS data are also helpful in measuring VMT. Implementation strategies can be many: ranging from fuel technologies, to multi modal transportation system, land use density, preservation of farm land. VMT data combined with fuel technologies is a key variable in emissions reduction strategy. Complete streets policy implementation also helps in emissions reductions. Increased density of land use, with mixed land use development result in shorter daily commuting trip lengths, this in turn would help reduce emissions. Some of the MPO’s in the region already has VMT computed, as well as Ozone and PM 2.5 pollutants emissions are documented. Good to use these resources, that way consistency in the data is accomplished.

I don't think this is a good idea for Maine. It's not in the best interest of industry or tourism,and the very job's we depend on. Maybe you people should stop trying to be like California and start working for the people of Maine.

Please work to create a TCI policy that brings more public transit to the northeast! Reducing climate damaging emissions from transportation should be a number one priority for Vermont. Currently the public transit options are severely lacking between Brattleboro/Keene/Greenfield/Amherst, and this is an area where many people would be able to use a bus instead of driving I-91.

I am appalled that this is even being seriously considered. The onerous tax load on Maine's middle class and poor will be increased to an unacceptable level should gas prices increase as expected. Just recall, if you will, some years ago when gas prices rose, and the concomitant decimation of businesses. Unrealistic goals which harm so many voters should be rejected out of hand. Quite apart from the effect on businesses for which gasoline is a major part, someone who works, as I do, traveling from house to house helping Mainers live in their homes, will be dealt a blow which will make our already low wage worth even less. If something like this is considered, it should be AFTER public transportation has been improved, NOT before. Even then, the rural character of Maine makes private transportation necessary. Most of us cannot afford electric cars, even if we would choose to use something which has NOT been proven to be best for our environment, given the terrible environmental costs of those batteries. Please withdraw Maine from this bad deal.

I support Maryland's adoption of a regional bipartisan transportation
policy that achieves a minimum 40 percent
reduction in transportation sector climate
pollution by 2030. This will help to keep Maryland on track to meet
the climate goals updated by the General
Assembly in 2016.