10/14/2020 |
Aleks |
Kosowicz |
Concerned Citizen |
Abrams |
Wisconsin |
Our world is LITERALLY ON FIRE. There can be no denying we have instigated a climate crisis and must take immediate action to mitigate the worst effects of it. Enacting a TCI program that... read more Our world is LITERALLY ON FIRE. There can be no denying we have instigated a climate crisis and must take immediate action to mitigate the worst effects of it. Enacting a TCI program that addresses our carbon footprint and modes of transport is one way we can begin to do just that. Please do all you can to ensure we place a cap on carbon emissions (of at least 25%) by 2030, increase (by more than 35%) the minimum investment in overburdened and underserved communities, and invest in active transportation like better sidewalks, bicycle infrastructure, and high quality public transit. Together we MUST find and implement multiple solutions in order to maintain a habitable climate for life on earth. Thank you for doing your part. |
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2/28/2020 |
David |
Kosterlitz |
Maryland Sierra Club |
Bethesda |
Maryland |
Please enter into the TCI. I support the cap and invest method that has been proposed. This policy could set a declining cap on the amount of carbon pollution released by the use of... read more Please enter into the TCI. I support the cap and invest method that has been proposed. This policy could set a declining cap on the amount of carbon pollution released by the use of transportation fuels by requiring entities like wholesale fuel distributors that sell gasoline and other fuels to retail outlets (i.e., gas stations) to purchase emission permits available under the cap (2). The proceeds from sale by states of those permits could then be invested in clean alternatives like electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, public transportation, walking and biking projects, and other smart growth initiatives, speeding up the must needed transition to a clean, equitable, 21st century transportation system. |
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2/28/2020 |
Olga |
Kostreski |
Nursing student |
Silver Spring |
Maryland |
The global warming has become a big change that is noticed all over the world! My family in Europe, completely agrees that each year it just keeps getting warmer and warmer. Random storms appear... read more The global warming has become a big change that is noticed all over the world! My family in Europe, completely agrees that each year it just keeps getting warmer and warmer. Random storms appear that never used to take place. It is scary how fast the changes are moving! We human kind caused it, and we must stop it before it is too late!!! |
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2/21/2020 |
Jill |
Kotch |
retired |
Wakefield |
Rhode Island |
Working together with regional states to improve transportation with a goal of pollution reduction to combat climate change is the right way to go. The whole world needs to step up and get on... read more Working together with regional states to improve transportation with a goal of pollution reduction to combat climate change is the right way to go. The whole world needs to step up and get on board while there is still a planet to save. The United States used to be a leader in so many areas, including this, and here is a chance to get back into leadership. |
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2/28/2020 |
Sarah |
Kotin |
Middlebury College |
Middlebury |
Vermont |
The TCI Would be Beneficial for Vermonters With a Grain of Salt
As an environmental studies student in Vermont, I have learned extensively about the climate crisis happening today while... read more The TCI Would be Beneficial for Vermonters With a Grain of Salt
As an environmental studies student in Vermont, I have learned extensively about the climate crisis happening today while experiencing what transportation is like in a rural state. I believe that this transportation initiative, while not a final or extensive enough solution for all of the issues regarding climate change, would begin to make a difference so long as marginalized communities are taken into account properly. According to the U.S. Energy Information Center data collected in 2017, transportation is the leading emitter of CO2 from the area encompassed by the TCI proposal, making this an important sector to target as they have bee left out of past initiatives, such as RGGI. Simply by taking a step to reduce these emissions, these areas can demonstrate a clear commitment to the mitigation of climate change and make a significant difference. This plan may be extremely helpful in actively participating in the climate change movement, but it needs to keep in mind the idea of environmental justice while doing so in order to be an effective and beneficial program.
The section in the TCI Memorandum of Understanding regarding “equity” and the language around disadvantaged communities are minimal, leading to reasonable concern that the vagueness of this initiative will lead to further marginalization of low-income or underprivileged communities. While this plan of “cap and invest” could be extremely helpful in discouraging the emission of CO2 and collecting money to use for other climate change mitigation tactics and improvements to infrastructure, there can be concern that those who are the least able to pay would be bearing the brunt of this fee. However, because of the invest concept, these groups of Vermonters could experience great rewards in addition to climate change mitigation if the investments are used for things such as increased public transport or other programs that improve life quality.
The California Climate Investments project, which enacted a similar cap and investment policy in 2015, was able to invest $690 million dollars in priority populations in 2019 alone. These investments went into projects including affordable housing, zero-emission vehicles, and “improved mobility options;” all of these concepts could be extremely helpful to people who would be subject to higher prices for gas due to the cap portion of this plan. The affordable housing options could help create more urbanized centers that would allow for easier mobility, which is a goal emphasized in Vermont’s plans for transportation improvement. Increased access to zero-emission vehicles and improved transit systems would directly assist people who may already be suffering from lack of transportation access.
Because Vermont is such a rural state, many individuals rely on private transportation methods to go to work or school. A report in 2015, however, by the Vermont Transportation Board, reported that driving habits in Vermont decreased by 8.4% from 2007 to 2015, showing that the number of people driving single occupancy vehicles has been decreasing. While there may be varying reasons for this decline, it indicates that there may be a need for an increase in public transportation infrastructure, including extended bus routes. The investment aspect of the TCI plan could be extremely beneficial in providing this needed increase in public transportation. Therefore, a key aspect of making this initiative successful and equitable would be requiring these beneficial investments to be made within a reasonable time from when people begin to be impacted by the increasing prices.
Because transportation is a huge emitter of CO2 in the proposed TCI region, targeting this aspect of infrastructure is key to both making a difference and demonstrating commitment to climate change mitigation. However, this is where the grain of salt comes in as I believe that this proposal would benefit from a more specific policy regarding the use of funds raised by the cap and investment proposal. If the TCI or the states involved in the agreement were to specify options for where the funds would be used and determine how to best mitigate the time-lag that could occur between increased prices and providing funding for beneficial programs, then the TCI would be a much stronger proposal that could help people in more ways than one. Overall, this program should be supported with the understanding that the vague language leaves room for and also a need for an environmental justice aspect.
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2/21/2020 |
Alex |
Kowalski |
none |
New York |
New York |
I support and appreciate the work being done on the Transportation and Climate Initiative. There are many parts that I laud and a few I'm wary of. I live in NYC and I have a skewed view of... read more I support and appreciate the work being done on the Transportation and Climate Initiative. There are many parts that I laud and a few I'm wary of. I live in NYC and I have a skewed view of how transportation works or have limited insight how it could be improved for the rest of the region. I also am very lucky to live near work where all I need is to walk 10 minutes while my wife's commute is a combination of walking and taking the subway for 45 minutes. I would want the policymakers to be aware that some solutions work in one municipality but may not work for others. Because NYC is so densely populated it needs a vast subway and train network, other areas do not. I feel like many transportation initiatives in NY have given opportunities to small groups, while potentially inconveniencing others. For example, additional bike lanes have made safer and easier for some to commute, however may have increased congestion for cars with fewer lanes and slower speeds. Although I favor slower speeds in urban neighborhoods for safety reasons, I am also aware that slow speeds make transportation by car very inefficient and more polluting as ICE cars burn much more fuel and emit more pollutants per mile at lower speeds. With all of the transportation options, NYC has some of the slowest transportation speeds leading to potentially more emissions. Another problem I see that could be easily improved is the amount of tailpipe emissions coming from idled or parked cars. I hate trying to feel concerned about the environment and climate change while I see so many of my fellow New Yorkers do silly human things like burn fuel and emit pollutants to sit in a car. This tells me the public at large may say they want to see policies to "fight" climate change while they are not willing to change their behaviors. This also means that educating the public and fining outright unnecessary pollution. Where everyone can agree on is that using less and wasting less fuel is good for the environment and individual pocket books. Due to the tremendous waste and misuse of motor fuel, I believe there's room for a "substantial" additional tax of at least 10c/gallon. I am aware that it might be an additional burden on poorer individuals, however I believe it is overblown due to decreased miles driven and a small portion of total expenditures on fuel. There are many used cars that are compacts, hybrids, and even electrics that are available, but people are choosing to buy costlier, more polluting trucks and SUV's, even by people who claim to care about the environment. You could have incentive program as there have been in the past where you can trade in your car for a more fuel efficient car, with bigger rebates going to bigger increases in fuel mileage ratings, with the highest going towards purchases of electric cars. We should also fine individuals who idle their engines while parked (maybe make exceptions during winter and summer) but this behavior needs to be stopped. The same should go for increased enforcement of speeding on open highways, they are not enforced enough. As our cars improve and are safer people drive faster and faster. Again, faster freeway speeds lead to more fuel consumption per mile, pollution, and increased fatal accidents. I think that we need to take effort to work with our school bus makers to quickly transition to all electric school busses in our region and eventually nationwide. This would work on improving child health, reduce medical bills, and educate our young bus riders and their parents, while overtime becoming more economical. Also, if you choose to allow a ton of Ubers/Lyfts to come into your city to take over taxis, make sure they're follow the same regulations. Don't try to "fix" it by adding more charges to all taxis and Ubers to try to ease congestion. Make sure the cars are hybrids or incentivize electric vehicles. By now, there should be plans made that all municipal fleet cars should be either hybrid or electric and future taxis the same. Invest in some chargers at depots and parking lots and add more when needed.
Being a resident of NYC I also see how notoriously long construction projects can take and how much inconvenience they cause, along with how much burden they put on local budgets with cost overruns. Future rail and road work should only be done where necessary and in places where it adds convenience to their users. We do not to build new roads to coastal areas that will be prone to flooding and need repairs. We do not need many new rail systems that make 20-30 years to complete which by that time robo-taxis will have been around for years and be much more efficient and can take passengers door to door whether it's a 5mile journey or 100mile journey. I am not impressed by the plans for the much overdue rail link to Laguardia Airport and while there may be some users, I doubt that will greatly reduce auto traffic and pollution. I feel like the policy designers need to focus on making all future transportation improvements by focusing on making them environmentally friendly, convenient, and not overly costly, not doing so will add more headaches and will not help attain the goals of the initiative. Also make it reliable and keep costs down to ensure as most people take advantage of it. Regardless, people have to know that there will be some sacrifices and increases in usage taxes, but as long as there is transparency, more and more people will get on board. Again, convenience while polluting less and less over time is the key to success, and incentivizing lower pollution transport while putting a higher cost on higher polluting. One has to wonder why an average person going to the airport would pay 200-300% and even 1000% more by choosing taxi/Uber over subway/train for maybe only 20-50% improvement in time (possibly less if traffic); it's the convenience. Sorry for my rambling thoughts, I'm not a good writer and don't have the time to spruce up my writing, but I hope the committee listens to stakeholders but more so to experts and shows some leadership in these important endeavors.
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11/5/2019 |
Alex |
Kragie |
Coalition for Green Capital |
Washington |
District of Columbia |
Please see attached letter Please see attached letter |
TCI_Comment_Letter_Final.pdf |
2/21/2020 |
John & Elizabeth |
Kramarck |
None |
Townsend |
Delaware |
We must end fossil fuel use and increase safe renewables. Delaware must allow homeowners to produce more than %10 over their electric usage so we can retire fossil fuel power plants. We must... read more We must end fossil fuel use and increase safe renewables. Delaware must allow homeowners to produce more than %10 over their electric usage so we can retire fossil fuel power plants. We must provide incentives for individuals to install electric storage capabilities to provide power after dark or during windless times. Power companies must be incentivized to install systems that uses excess power to break down water into hydrogen and oxygen. They can sell the oxygen for medical or commercial uses and store the hydrogen to use as fuel when renewables are unable to provide sufficient power to the grid. No greenhouse gases would be produced and all the fuel to provide the electricity would be free.
Delaware must increase the use of electric public transit vehicles. Most routes are short enough to allow this, and longer routes could have charging stations at each end of the route. Drivers would park and charge the vehicle they drove into the end of route station, and move to another vehicle that has been charging. It may require a few more vehicles, but the cost would be partially offset by the lower maintenance costs of the electric vehicles.
We must also initiate a fee for internal combustion vehicles bases on fuel mileage figures. The lower the miles per gallon the higher the fee. This would cause the more polluting vehicles to pay their fair share of the cost of their emissions.
We must encourage more electric vehicle purchases. Businesses must be incentivized to install charging stations for employee electric vehicles and encouraged to use solar or wind power to provide the electricity. They could receive a one time tax rebate for the installation of the chargers and solar or wind facilities. They could also receive tax rebates if the installed power storage facilities.
Delaware must also require that a certain percentage of vehicles from each manufacturer are all electric powered vehicles. We have been trying to purchase a Hyundai Kona electric from a Delaware dealer for almost 2 years now. Despite Delaware being a state that qualifies for them, local Hyundai dealers do not carry them and when we inquire about them, are told that they are not available within 200 miles of the state. We know this is untrue because we have seen them for sale in dealerships within 50 miles in MD and 20 miles in N.J. We don't want to have to deal with a dealership so far away and in a different state.
Delaware must also enact a carbon tax on industries. The fees could be used to pay for health care for individuals harmed by industrial carbon.
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2/25/2020 |
Mark |
Kramarz |
Independent |
Pemberton |
New Jersey |
I support the Transportation and Climate Initiative. We can't move backwards and should decrease the use of polluting fossil fuels to only a minimum. The TCI is a good start. read more I support the Transportation and Climate Initiative. We can't move backwards and should decrease the use of polluting fossil fuels to only a minimum. The TCI is a good start. |
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12/2/2019 |
Samuel |
Kramer |
Auto Repair Business |
Quincy |
Massachusetts |
Mass Governor must bring this to the people. He must stop acting like a dictator. Passing this tax on businesses like the one I own will kill any further growth and adding workers. There is no way... read more Mass Governor must bring this to the people. He must stop acting like a dictator. Passing this tax on businesses like the one I own will kill any further growth and adding workers. There is no way of passing on these exsorbant added cost in the industry. Governor Baker stop acting like a dictator, we are a government of the people, you work for us! Stop wiping out industries that you don't care about. We can not all be in BioMed and IT that continue to get massive Taxes Breaks. |
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1/17/2020 |
Steven |
Kranowski |
Concerned citizen |
Blacksburg |
Virginia |
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2/25/2020 |
Julie A |
Kraus |
Vermont resident |
Bethel |
Vermont |
This question’s answer is a no brainer and pure common sense. Join TCI now! This question’s answer is a no brainer and pure common sense. Join TCI now! |
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2/21/2020 |
Steven |
Krauss |
member of NRDC and Transportation Alternatives |
Pleasantville |
New York |
I strongly urge support of the Transportation and Climate Intiative. As a native of the northeast with children living in Boston and New York and relatives in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland... read more I strongly urge support of the Transportation and Climate Intiative. As a native of the northeast with children living in Boston and New York and relatives in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia I am an eyewitness to clogged roads. The need for a more efficient transportation system is obvious to anyone on these roads. A more efficient transportation system would have the added benefit of addressing pollution and climate change. |
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1/16/2020 |
Darla |
Kravetz |
Supporter |
Lehighton |
Pennsylvania |
We must support climate change to help our earth anyway we can. We must support climate change to help our earth anyway we can. |
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2/25/2020 |
glenn |
kreig |
none |
mount holly |
Vermont |
Although this approach is not a good one, negatively impacting the rural Vermonters who must travel in their own vehicle, time has run out. Vermont must reduce carbon output so what choice do we... read more Although this approach is not a good one, negatively impacting the rural Vermonters who must travel in their own vehicle, time has run out. Vermont must reduce carbon output so what choice do we have? Taking a slower approach will negatively hurt Vermont as a whole. This will be a black mark on the successes of this administration but what alternative, effective option are there?
Please move forward with the objective of protecting the environment, not short term personal goals. |
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5/14/2019 |
Mark |
Kresowik |
Sierra Club |
Washington |
District of Columbia |
Thank you, please find attached comments from 39 environmental, health, scientific, transportation, social service, and business organizations committed to advancing modern, clean, accessible, and... read more Thank you, please find attached comments from 39 environmental, health, scientific, transportation, social service, and business organizations committed to advancing modern, clean, accessible, and low-carbon transportation in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic on the first workshop held on April 30th. |
Advocate Group Comments on 4_30 TCI Workshop.pdf |
8/7/2019 |
Mark |
Kresowik |
Sierra Club |
Washington |
District of Columbia |
August 7, 2019
To: Governor Baker, Mayor Bowser, Governor Carney, Governor Hogan, Governor Lamont, Governor Murphy, Governor Northam, Governor Raimondo, Governor Scott, and Governor... read more August 7, 2019
To: Governor Baker, Mayor Bowser, Governor Carney, Governor Hogan, Governor Lamont, Governor Murphy, Governor Northam, Governor Raimondo, Governor Scott, and Governor Wolf
Re: 2019 Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) Regional Policy Design Process
Sent via: https://www.transportationandclimate.org/main-menu/tci-regional-policy-design-stakeholder-input-form
The Sierra Club is sharing with you the attached 2,435 comments from our members and supporters in your states and the District of Columbia (DC) regarding the 2019 TCI Regional Policy Design Process. More than 700 of those members and supporters across the 9 states and DC have included personal messages, often encouraging swift action to modernize our transportation system, reduce climate pollution from burning motor fuels, and ensure equitable access to the benefits of clean transportation, particularly for those communities that have been overburdened and under-resourced by our current system. Many have also provided specific recommendations and requests for investments and clean transportation projects in their communities.
The Sierra Club continues to support your efforts through this process. We further recommend that you and your teams transparently and inclusively develop an understanding of which communities in the region are overburdened by pollution from motor fuels and under-resourced when it comes to access to clean, affordable, and rapid transportation, and to move forward by modeling and sharing the impacts for those communities of both a cap and invest policy for climate pollution from motor fuels consistent with meeting state climate protection targets and other complementary policies as discussed in the state and regional workshops and listening sessions. We also encourage more engagement by individual states and DC with such overburdened and under-resourced communities, by partnering with and supporting community representatives in the planning and hosting of workshops and listening sessions during the evening or on the weekend, accessible by public transportation, and with services for people with disabilities, limited English proficiency, and children and other care duties.
As demonstrated by the more than 300 participants at the in-person regional workshop on July 30th and these thousands of comments from Sierra Club members and supporters, a robust and inclusive clean and modern transportation policy design process this year is vitally important for the future prosperity of our communities.
Sincerely,
Mark Kresowik
Deputy Director, Eastern Region
Sierra Club |
Sierra Club Member and Supporter Comments 8-7-19.pdf |
2/27/2020 |
Mark |
Kresowik |
Sierra Club |
Hartford |
Connecticut |
The Sierra Club is sharing the attached 320 comments from our members and supporters in Connecticut supporting finalizing the Draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) of the Transportation and... read more The Sierra Club is sharing the attached 320 comments from our members and supporters in Connecticut supporting finalizing the Draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) of the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI). Thank you for helping to design a regional policy to limit climate pollution from motor fuels and invest in a modern, clean, transportation future. The evidence is clear: the more we limit pollution from motor fuels, the more jobs are created, the more the economy grows, and the more lives we save. Please sign on to the agreement to implement a strong, equitable regional climate protection policy through TCI. Invest in the communities that have suffered the most from burning gasoline and have the least access to clean transportation options. Stop sending our hard-earned dollars out of the state to oil companies, and choose to create jobs, grow the economy, and save lives for families and businesses. Thank you. |
CT TCI 320 signers 27 Feb 2020.pdf |
2/27/2020 |
Mark |
Kresowik |
Sierra Club |
Washington |
District of Columbia |
The Sierra Club is sharing the attached 38 comments from our members and supporters in the District of Columbia supporting finalizing the Draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) of the... read more The Sierra Club is sharing the attached 38 comments from our members and supporters in the District of Columbia supporting finalizing the Draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) of the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI). Thank you for helping to design a regional policy to limit climate pollution from motor fuels and invest in a modern, clean, transportation future. The evidence is clear: the more we limit pollution from motor fuels, the more jobs are created, the more the economy grows, and the more lives we save. Please sign on to the agreement to implement a strong, equitable regional climate protection policy through TCI. Invest in the communities that have suffered the most from burning gasoline and have the least access to clean transportation options. Stop sending our hard-earned dollars out of the state to oil companies, and choose to create jobs, grow the economy, and save lives for families and businesses. Thank you. |
DC TCI 38 signers 27 Feb 2020.pdf |
2/27/2020 |
Mark |
Kresowik |
Sierra Club |
Dover |
Delaware |
The Sierra Club is sharing the attached 102 comments from our members and supporters in Delaware supporting finalizing the Draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) of the Transportation and Climate... read more The Sierra Club is sharing the attached 102 comments from our members and supporters in Delaware supporting finalizing the Draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) of the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI). Thank you for helping to design a regional policy to limit climate pollution from motor fuels and invest in a modern, clean, transportation future. The evidence is clear: the more we limit pollution from motor fuels, the more jobs are created, the more the economy grows, and the more lives we save. Please sign on to the agreement to implement a strong, equitable regional climate protection policy through TCI. Invest in the communities that have suffered the most from burning gasoline and have the least access to clean transportation options. Stop sending our hard-earned dollars out of the state to oil companies, and choose to create jobs, grow the economy, and save lives for families and businesses. Thank you. |
DE TCI 102 signers 27 Feb 2020.pdf |