TCI Regional Policy Design Stakeholder Submissions

Transportation and the climate changing pollution, related to the use of fossil fuels for the purpose of 'getting to work' or for other so-called 'necessary' movement of people, is a question we have front and center, now ! There are other dirty, polluting uses of the fossil fuels that have a negative effect on our environment, locally as well as globally. Here, we're looking at a possible change in the means of transportation and just how we should cover the costs involved with the changes. These discussions over-look the possibility of 'local', community based vocational endeavors, that would allow members of local communities an option of utilizing employment opportunities in or near their home communities. The addiction we face daily, using fossil fuels to 'commute' to our employment situation, is removed from the equation, when a community based economic opportunity exists. We have worked 'locally', with folks that are interested in a community based, worker-owned business, that can release folks from the 'commute' to earn money to pay bills and raise their families. We have worked with 'low skilled' people and those with limited abilities, to establish a sustainable, clean-energy economy, assembling solar modules, locally ! This effort, with the small funding required for community based economic opportunities, in every town across the State of Maine, would be an example of local 'ingenuity', as well as a way forward toward a future without the fossil fuels that are the problems we face as a world-wide population ! Thank you !

Massachusetts has tried numerous times to pas an automated gas tax. It was refused by the voters every time. Can't you get it through your head that MA voters do not want to pay for higher gas nor a climate tax. NH is not far and I will move and take my business to NH. MA continues to rape our wallets. I refuse to go along with this TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION. !!!!!!!!! Even though Charlie Faker says it's not a tax. It is !!! And I am against it !!!!!

Attached please find Joint Comments from the Northeast Clean Energy Council, the Alliance for Clean Energy New York, and Renewable Energy Vermont

I believe TCI is the Northeast's best chance at funding a just transition away from single occupancy vehicles and into public and active transportation – a transition we all know is necessary. I am fully behind this initiative and will help in whatever way I can.

Median household income in Maine is $56,277. So how is it that you except people to purchase this electric car for $55,000 and then pay the extra $2,000 for a home charging station to be able to put food on the table or to buy clothes for their child/children? Then when they can't afford to purchase the car you are going to penalize them by raising the gas to $ .20 more a gallon. This is the most ridiculous idea I have ever heard of, this is not the way to help Maine families.

I do not feel it is right to penalize the rural portion of the state for the benefit of the urban portion. Our state seems to do very little for the elderly, especially in the rural areas, other than look to them to finance individual preferences of elected officials.

There is nothing more important to me than minimizing climate change! Changing my transportation to a Prius, and using it less, was the first item on my agenda.

I believe that Vermont should join the Transportation and Climate Initiative. Joining TCI is not the only thing we need to do now to address the climate crisis, but it is one important step we must take. And it will not only bring climate and economic benefits to our state; it will improve our transportation system and reduce air pollution as well.