TCI Regional Policy Design Stakeholder Submissions

My family and I are requesting a cap on carbon emissions of at least 25% by 2032, an increase in the minimum investment in overburdened and underserved communities (>35%), and investments be put towards active transportation like better sidewalks, bicycle infrastructure, and high quality public transit.
Thank you for your attention to our comments, The Stewart Family

Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) appreciates the opportunity to provide the attached comments on the Draft MOU for the Transportation and Climate Initiative.

Thank you,
Drew Stilson

THIS IS A GAS TAX. You can call it whatever you'd like but it's another TAX on gas. This question has been asked and answered at the ballot and was defeated.

This is a bipartisan (multi-partisan) multi state push to reduce fossil fuels in the region (and as a result, reduce greenhouse gas pollution).
This is the way to do it, en mass and in collaboration with our neighbors.
Of course it's sometimes hard to do the right thing, but I believe this region wide approach to drastically reduce the fossil fuels used in our transportation system is the way to do it.
I won't be able to attend the public hearing on TCI coming up in Manchester Center on January 30th but it is important that my voice is heard.
Now is the time to make commitments.
Thank you
Steven Stone

As a city resident, I strongly support TCI and any policies and actions that will improve public transportation options and reduce greenhouse gas and other forms of pollution. Less traffic, cleaner air, and accessible transportation are good for all of us.

We in the Northeast need to continue to show the way for our country in being proactive and forward thinking when it comes to transportation. Our roads and rails are becoming increasingly dangerous and the people who want and need to use alternates cannot because they are not available. Build it and they will come applies here.

This is nothing but a leftest democrat money grab. There is only one guarantee. Taxes will go up. Pollution IS real. The fear mongering narrative spewing from the climate initiative industry is baseless and false. The science is not "undisputed" in fact its highly disputed. More and more we find out about the lies. Maine and Mainers are not culprits to the world climate. I say let the other states proceed if they want and we will monitor it's success or more likely it's failures. Lets be honest here. What Government program ever created has been successful?.

Lets keep the activism going and solve emission problems, but lets not allow the government to dictate the taxes and fees while all the while foolishly spending it in other areas. Does anyone know how Maine has benefited from previous initiatives?

The push for electric cars looks good on paper but realistically we are still in test mode. The percent of cases of dangerous and unsafe incidences (batteries blowing up and catching fire) is currently low but what about when we force the market and the country is infiltrated with EV's. The percentage remains the same but the incidents will increase to an alarming level. I do not trust these cars in the mainstream yet. Tesla has been highly subsidized and they are still faced with reliability and practicality issues.
We were duped on the wind mills. They don't pay for themselves before they expire and now were are having disposal issues.

We need more studies and test before we jump on the so called "clean" EV's.
1-I want to know how we are to dispose of these very expensive batteries that are useless after 10 to 15 years.
2-I want to know how much more or less fossil fuels will be used to generate the increased power for charging stations.
3-I want to know what kind of regulations are in place for mining the minerals required. Huge corporate mining facilities and child labor.
4-What is the life expectancy of an EV in cold climates like Maine. A legit concern.
It seems as we are ready and willing to throw money to the problems without asking any questions.

TCI is NOT for Maine. At the very least we should have a referendum.

The additional taxes on Mainers will have a negative impact on young people trying to make it in our rural state, on our aging population and those with fixed incomes. As a young adult trying to make it on my own I oppose any additional taxes. There is no reason to tax Mainers who are commuting to make a dollar and already paying taxes as a working individual. We are already one of the highest taxes states. No more!!

I support the study to be done to lower carbon emissions from transportation. It is my concern that the raw materials needed to make all new electric cars for our society will be problematic. It might be wiser to retrofit ICE with electric motors. There is a company that is doing that. It is concerning that another peak demand will be created by charging EV's at night. How is the electricity going to be generated for the fueling of EV's that will consume a lot of electricity? Will this turn into a windfall for utilities? This transition needs to be fair and equal. Fuel cells hold such a promise for the future, but, as they stand now, using methane seems counterproductive. The rural transportation problem is huge and complex. Even with auto guided vehicles, the cost will be huge to provide transportation for rural folks who will have no transportation because they cannot afford EV's. The study will bring to the surface problems and solutions to the huge evolution in transportation that is coming. We should be grateful to you for pursuing such a huge project. Thank you!