TCI Regional Policy Design Stakeholder Submissions

I strongly support a regional low carbon transit plan and transit system, with cap-and-invest as a component of the plan.

As a mother of two teens and resident of this beautiful state, I am concerned about the climate crisis, our future, my children's future and future generation’s futures. To this end, I urge Vermont to participate in the Transportation and Climate Initiative so that all Vermonters, including my kids, live in a world where they do not have to choose between being able to get where they need to go and polluting the planet irreparably.

We have a shrinking window of opportunity here. If we continue to drag our feet and take baby steps we will miss the mark and change the planet irreparably. Now is the time to take bold action. Choosing to support the TCI is one way we can act.

Vermont, like other states, desperately needs additional funding to create innovative, equitable transportation options for all, including seniors, people with disabilities, people with low incomes, for whom transportation costs and accessibility are an added burden, children, residents and visitors alike to our great state. TCI can provide this support.

As an individual who loves to recreate outside I see the high need to preserve the beauty and fresh air, biodiversity and wildlife, and make our state more accessible. We might be a rural state, but that is no excuse for expecting people to rely solely on personal vehicles, which are costly to operate and have limitations for many, in addition to being high polluters.

As you know, Vermont’s participation in a cap and invest program is not new. Under Governor Jim Douglas, Vermont joined the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) in 2008. This cap and invest program covers the electric sector in the Northeast, and it has proven very successful, reducing consumer costs and carbon pollution from the power sector by 40%.

Vermont has strategically invested the revenues raised from RGGI, directing the $2 million annually into weatherization programs that help Vermonters stop wasting energy and save money. We know this type of project works — there is no excuse not to adopt TCI as well.
TCI provides the opportunity to tackle the biggest problem of our day — the climate crisis — by reducing emissions in our state’s most carbon-intensive sector, while diverting funds into much-needed transportation infrastructure that will benefit all.

We can either seize this opportunity to make monumental progress and have a chance to prosper in a clean energy future, or accept a status quo that is only becoming more and more difficult for Vermonters and more harmful to our environment.

I urge Vermont to formally join TCI so we can 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.

Attached please find a study by MJ Bradley describing the potential benefits of renewable natural gas to the TCI region. (This study is referred to in our comments submitted under a separate form.)

Having a number of north-eastern states work together to deal with Climate Change related to transportation sounds like an excellent idea. Infrastructure such as fast electric rail, park and rides, electric buses and other public options plus fast charging stations for electric cars and policies to help low income people switch to electric cars could all be implemented better if we co-operate together.

Being part of TCI is simply a pragmatic and intelligent move. We know we are dealing with cataclysmic climate change. NOW LETS WORK TOGETHER TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

I would like to thank Gov. Lamont for requesting that CT formally sign on to TCI.
Reducing transportation sector emissions is important to me because of the dire climate situation which is largely driven by transportation C02. The climate crisis is UPON us, here and now, and we are losing time to do everything we can to mitigate the losses to come. It is also important to address social justice, since poor communities bear the brunt of climate problems. We have already lost decades in making the broad and unprecedented changes that are needed. Please do everything you can.
Please choose ***the most aggressive**** greenhouse gas emissions cap.
Any TCI policy should address equity and investment in overburdened and under-served communities as a first and foremost priority.

How much more tax are you adding per gallon of gasoline for this :initiative"? Is the public going to be made aware of the additional taxes?

I strongly support the development and implementation of policies to reduce transportation pollution in our region. The resulting improvements in air quality are essential for public health, including for my own family members who have medical conditions affecting their lungs. Furthermore, it is imperative that we act now to curb the effects of climate change so that future generations of Marylanders can live healthy, productive lives. Please enact policies like the proposed cap and invest program to limit pollution and carbon emissions and to invest in a better future for Marylanders.

The congressional reps do not listen to the residents. And this must stop. We THE PEOPLE do not want you to force these taxes upon us in an unjust manner