TCI Regional Policy Design Stakeholder Submissions

The cap and investment and other carbon market trading and offset measures are extremely concerning in these proposals. Net zero emissions framework is also problematic. Low income communities and people of color are living in some of the highly trafficked routes where freight and manufacturing storage processing industries have been emitting high levels of toxins for years in the region. Any offset scheme would further concentrate the actual amount of air pollution for environmental justice communities and be detrimental to our lives. Environmental justice groups in CA have attested to this reality after going through their own climate initiatives--the offset market abroad has led to devastating consequences for Indigenous folks in the Amazon getting kicked out of their land for carbon forestry REDD+ credit market while EJ communities in CA living next to major freight corridors, Chevron/Texaco oil refineries, and other polluting industries have seen co-pollutants concentrated while also carbon emissions have gone up. No community benefit from any EJ or equity funds generated through market trading of carbon credits will alleviate the increased health risks from further pollution by these trading schemes. Please take this provisions out and concentrate on real policy strategies that will reduce in every part of this region carbon and other toxic co-pollutants. The emissions cuts have to be absolute and not a switch and bait tactic. Offsets and trading are false solutions with tremendous consequences for human rights violations and endangering our community health while giving us a false sense that we are actually reducing emissions when we're not. Electrifying freight and transport has been done in other regions and along with other initiatives in RGGI to convert our grid into real renewables (not nuclear or clean coal) we can make the emissions targets. Carbon trading will never get us to the emissions reductions while creating more disaster in the process.

We need a strong TCI. Please include
1. A cap on carbon emissions of at least 25% by 2032
2. An increase in the minimum investment in overburdened and underserved communities (>35%)
3. Investments towards active transportation like better sidewalks, bicycle infrastructure, and high quality public transit.
Thank you.

"The United States constitutes 5% of the world population and contributes to 22% of world’s carbon emission." It is crucial that our state takes control of the climate crisis immediately. These are pathetic statistics for a country that is one of the most developed in the world.

The effects of climate change are having a dangerous impact OUR environment. We have seen astronomical increases in sea levels, hurricanes, wild fires, melted arctic ice, and other natural disasters because of climate change. If we do not do anything about this disaster we are rapidly killing off forestation, wildlife, and HUMAN LIFE, and will continue to do so. (There is an average of 600,000 deaths/year related to climate change. Specifically in developing & 3rd world countries).

We demand that our state takes action by joining the plan to reduce transportation emissions, and develops a strong program that invests in public transportation, biking, walking, and prioritizes equity. If we don't help take control of this crisis ACTIVELY, we only have ourselves to blame when it's too late.

I strongly oppose the TCI gas tax. With Maine being very rural, this tax will only hurt its population. Prices of goods are already rising to high and adding a gas tax would raise them even higher. Low to middle class Mainers would be hit the hardest.