TCI Regional Policy Design Stakeholder Submissions

It is imperative that Maine think and move into the future by building a transportation infrastructure that can help our planet survive and our state thrive economically.

The goal of reducing the carbon footprint of transportation is increasingly evident as we try to meet or exceed the Paris agreement. Despite the Trump Administration's refusal to participate in the Paris goals, it is abundantly clear the the scientists are correct and that CO2 and methane are potent greenhouse gases that are warming the planet and causing enormous climate disasters across the globe.

We are very much as risk of excess flooding that threaten vital infrastructure. Our sea level rise can increase the risk of flooding at Philadelphia International Airport, the water treatment plant for Philadelphia and flooding in parts of South Philadelphia and the river wards near Fishtown. Salt water can encroach on the intake valve of the Delaware River jeopardizing the water supply of the city. And that is just Philadelphia. Other East Coast cities are in even more precarious postiions. Heat levels that are dangerous for workers and the vulnerable, elderly unable to escape their homes for air conditioning. I could go on and on.

That is the end result of too much carbon in our atmosphere. We strongly support the TCI effort and we believe the money should be used to transform electrifying automobiles, creating charging stations widely, solar panel garages at workplaces and public spaces, and allowing EVs to be plugged into the electric grid at night which can then act as both a charger, but also a source of electricity at night when the sun and wind are not present. More incentives need to be considered moving toward heat pumps and induction stoves as how we heat our homes and cook our food.

In short we need to stop burning fossil fuels and dramatically fund the electrification of everything.

Maine should withdraw from this alliance. "Low Carbon" anything is simply a ploy to increase taxes and remove power from citizens and local governments, and to increase the power of state and federal governments to regulate the inherent freedoms of American citizens. This is a sham.

This is an excellent idea. In the face of our current climate crisis, with our federal government sidelined by willful ignorance, it is the necessary responsibility of states and municipalities to step into the gap. Our children and grandchildren's future is at stake

I commute a long distance and carpool with my wife who needs a car for her job. While we would love more transit options, and those should definitely be expanded into more suburban and rural areas, having government programs that provide genuine, vetted options to buy carbon offsets would be helpful as well. Some people are in circumstances like ours where we need a car throughout the day, eliminating the option of public transit, and being unable to afford to buy an extremely costly electric car to utilize new charging infrastructure. With carbon offsets, we can mitigate the effects of the circumstances we currently face, but it is difficult to personally vet other supplies of offsets to confirm that they are genuine and effective.

I'm very excited about the TCI initiative. We've been needing practical, can-do, affordable alternatives to driving around creating exhaust. Let's show the world that we live in Maine, not Los Angeles!

We need climate-friendly transportation options within our state -- and also when traveling between neighboring states. This is key for commerce, tourism, shopping, business, academics, science, trade,... everything. Thank you!

Having lived in Europe for ten years, we learned a lot about how the Germans and the Dutch have embraced public transit options. While offering their citizens a safe, cost effective and convenient way to get to work, shopping, the airport, etc, they have also enjoyed the benefits of cleaner air, less traffic, and a better overall quality of life.

We very quickly become enthusiastic users of the Frankfurt underground and streetcars. While in Amsterdam, their trams and buses provided an excellent way to get around. It was so good, we lived without a car - and were incredibly happy about it.

Now that we are back in the US, we see just how far behind our country is. It's clear that the fossil fuel lobbyists have a stranglehold on our politicians. There has been a hugely disappointing lack of progress. Despite this we've got to move ahead and take this opportunity to invest for our future. Let's work with these other states so that we can leverage the synergies and investment to make a transportation system that moves us into the future rather than keeping us locked in the past (and our cars) in the service of the fossil fuel industry. Let's move ahead with the TCI.
Thank you.

Unless we reduce pollution the planet is not going to survive. I will, I am old but my children and my grand children may not. Please do something!