10/14/2020 |
Charles |
Byrne |
Individual |
San Francisco |
California |
I write as a civically engaged citizen and budding environmental scientist to urge a robust TCI.
Specifically, there should be a greater than 35% increase in the minimum investment... read more I write as a civically engaged citizen and budding environmental scientist to urge a robust TCI.
Specifically, there should be a greater than 35% increase in the minimum investment in overburdened communities, a cap of at least 25% on carbon emissions by 2032, and investments in better sidewalks, bicycle infrastructure, and high quality public transit.
Thank you for your time. |
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1/18/2020 |
M |
C |
Resident of the area |
Baltimore |
Maryland |
|
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2/21/2020 |
G |
C |
CORR Concepts |
Roanoke |
Virginia |
We NEED a bold plan that holds large transportation polluters accountable for the pollution they create and invests in clean transportation solutions including:
- More public... read more We NEED a bold plan that holds large transportation polluters accountable for the pollution they create and invests in clean transportation solutions including:
- More public transit and electric vehicle infrastructure in rural areas,
- Expansion of commuter rail, electric vehicles, and streets in the suburbs that are safe, walkable, and bikeable, and
- Sustainable and equitable housing near transit and electric bus fleets in urban communities
Make this happen! Your children and grandchildren's future depends on it. |
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11/8/2019 |
Nick |
C. |
Getthere Mobility Management |
Binghamton |
New York |
1) Rural microtransit should be encouraged by making it easier to get passenger authority and receive STOA funding in NY, and wherever else it makes sense, by allowing smaller vehicles to become... read more 1) Rural microtransit should be encouraged by making it easier to get passenger authority and receive STOA funding in NY, and wherever else it makes sense, by allowing smaller vehicles to become recipients without needing an exemption. Small vehicle operators will be crucial to improving rural transportation. 2) Electric light rail but especially heavy passenger rail needs to be a bigger part of the discussion. If the argument is that the ROI doesn't justify the expense, then the arguer is not thinking broad enough or long term enough. Much of economically struggling NY state, not to mention NE/Central East PA is within 2-3 hours of the NE Corridor, a super-region with the GDP roughly of Germany. Making connections to Philadelphia and NY via rail would have an enormous impact. A study was done a decade ago on connecting Binghamton to Scranton and to NYC with rail, and that has gone nowhere. 3) NYS needs to offer sustained funding for innovative mobility concepts already doing this work. |
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3/5/2020 |
Nuno |
Cabral |
Independent |
Peabody |
Massachusetts |
Imposing a gas tax to help fund the fledgling MBTA is foolhardy and detrimental to families and tax payers of the commonwealth. The MBTA has been mismanaged and underperforming for decades. To... read more Imposing a gas tax to help fund the fledgling MBTA is foolhardy and detrimental to families and tax payers of the commonwealth. The MBTA has been mismanaged and underperforming for decades. To think that a gas tax will fix this is foolish. Voters will remember the names that voted in favor. The ballot box will show how we feel, and you all will no longer represent the working, tax paying families of the Commonwealth. |
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1/9/2020 |
Brian |
Cacchiotti |
Salem State University |
Peabody |
Massachusetts |
I am 100% in favor of the proposal for TCI. Without bold and decisive action, we will get no change taking place, and the dire situation will get worse. I am 100% in favor of the proposal for TCI. Without bold and decisive action, we will get no change taking place, and the dire situation will get worse. |
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5/24/2019 |
Blake |
Cady |
Climate Action Brookline (CAB) |
Brookline |
Massachusetts |
Eventually, all transportation must be electrified. A carbon fee and dividend is the most useful method, at
present, to drive this process. Electric cars and busses can be subsidized in by... read more Eventually, all transportation must be electrified. A carbon fee and dividend is the most useful method, at
present, to drive this process. Electric cars and busses can be subsidized in by increased additional
gasoline tax with revenue used to reduce fare prices on trollies and busses to support public transportation
and decrease auto use, and assigning part of the carbon fee to reduce fares. |
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1/16/2020 |
Blake |
Cady MD |
Harvard Medical School |
Brookline |
Massachusetts |
40% of green-house gases now come from the transportation sector. We must get control of this by cooperative efforts, especially
multi-state plans, such as TCI. 40% of green-house gases now come from the transportation sector. We must get control of this by cooperative efforts, especially
multi-state plans, such as TCI. |
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2/28/2020 |
Peter |
Caesar |
Raise Up |
Newburyport |
Massachusetts |
Emphasize conservation replacement of fossil fuel use, adhere to Obama Era mileage standards, shift resources to public transit upgrades Emphasize conservation replacement of fossil fuel use, adhere to Obama Era mileage standards, shift resources to public transit upgrades |
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11/6/2019 |
Jeanne |
Cahill |
citizen |
Northborough |
Massachusetts |
I appreciate the stakeholder engagement process of the TCI. I attended the public workshop held at Roxbury Community College, Boston, on October 30. My concerns are:
1)complementary state... read more I appreciate the stakeholder engagement process of the TCI. I attended the public workshop held at Roxbury Community College, Boston, on October 30. My concerns are:
1)complementary state policies may be delayed or inhibited by the multistate TCI,
2) cap and invest alone will not change the consumption-culture driving habits,
3) evaluate promising or implemented greenhouse gas reduction programs, to vett pros/cons, to minimize unintended consequences and maximize effective reductions, payback, and public buy-in.
1) Massachusetts has pending legislation that puts a price on both transportation and heating fuels. H. 1726 bears consideration as a model that individual TCI states could adopt/adapt to fund green infrastructure and rebate equitably.
Massachusetts has fast-tracked gas pipeline infrastructure permitting even as leaking gas contributes 10% of state greenhouse gas emissions. The state's 2008 mandate to reduce GHG 80% below 1990 (25% by 2020) impels action toward a low to net-zero energy future. This lack of policy coordination and decision making needs focus, among different state and multistate entities.
Another complementary policy introduced in the state Senate is the Future Act S.1940, which pilots converting leaking gas infrastructure with a geothermal microgrid.
2) If producers profit more from low efficiency vehicles than non-luxury, high efficiency electric sedans, they push consumer choice to the former. Higher fuel prices then anger and derail public buy-in. The universally unpopular gas tax and ever-more popular large pickup truck are the result of how consumption is driven by producers. CAFE standards are needed for trucks.
3) continue the TCI stakeholder involvement and feedback process. Identify near and long-term win-wins for people and environment. Prioritize the least costly and healthiest alternatives - provide biking and walking trails everywhere!
Thank you! |
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1/16/2020 |
J |
Cahill |
citizen |
northboro |
Massachusetts |
The Transportation Climate Initiative is necessary but not sufficient policy to address the challenge of climate change mitigation.
All economic sectors must be represented to make real... read more The Transportation Climate Initiative is necessary but not sufficient policy to address the challenge of climate change mitigation.
All economic sectors must be represented to make real climate progress. Comprehensive carbon reduction measures are ready to implement in the next year-decade time frame. The political will must follow the public will to act on climate protection.
I am very concerned about the 2022 start, gradually phased implementation of TCI, and lagging outcome of consumer behavior change.
No time can be spared, with the climate bomb detonated in every part of the world. We can't escape the manifold and epic changes already baked into our physical, chemical and biological systems by excess carbon and greenhouse gas accumulation to date, much less buffer todays and tomorrows additional emissions.
At a minimum MA must adopt statewide comprehensive carbon pricing; targeted emission reductions to net zero asap; and no burning of carbon to supply "renewable" electricity. Even as MA and region negotiate a transportation agreement, all minds are simultaneously called to brainstorm and implement cross-sector emissions reduction.
TCI must not lull our regional authorities into complacency. In each jurisdiction we must act in concert with TCI planning, boldly and ambitiously, without delay. The time is past to dither. Legislation to bond this cost, rather than make direct investment in real time, is absurd and unconscienable. Blackrock financial just committed their trillions to sustainable investment; so must public investment be redirected. Business as usual cedes to business with future welfare included in the calculus.
We lead as individuals, communities, businesses and government. No waiting time exists. All exertion to reduce this highest risk to all, this existential threat to life in this geologic epoch, is belated. The house is on fire. Each day brings a new sense of emergency, in all parts of this imperiled life support system. We're in the ICU and heading into hospice.
TCI and climate protection needs to care for the vulnerable. An estimated billion animals died in Australia, over these past months of unprecedented change amidst a politically reckless, reeking, wreckage of landscape, habitat, and civilization. No corporate energy monetary profits can be justified, nor can their assets afford to redeem or compensate for THIS LOSS ALONE, the massive scale of wildfire extinction and destruction. The shame is what could have happened, what our kids future might have been, had leaders listened to scientists rather than campaign financier propagandists, since 1988. Stop politically blockading and braking clean energy progress.
The Massachusetts Joint TUE committee heard H.2810 Act to Promote Green Infrastructure and Reduce Carbon Emissions on Tuesday 1/14/20. This is the gold standard for equitable carbon pricing for TCI to follow. It addressed buildings carbon emissions, not just transportation. We need to move on both sectors, as we accelerate non-carbon emitting electricity generation, and decelerate conventional energy production, transmission, and market monopolization.
Please act on all aspects of greenhouse gas mitigation, before all is lost, here and everywhere.
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1/11/2020 |
David |
Cahoon |
Mr. |
Wells |
Maine |
I do not support this new gas tax. It will in no way make a difference in the carbon foot print. All it will do is hurt the middle class working people of the State of Maine. All it will do is... read more I do not support this new gas tax. It will in no way make a difference in the carbon foot print. All it will do is hurt the middle class working people of the State of Maine. All it will do is drive the prices of other goods up higher than they already are. Maine is in the top 10 in the nation of states with the highest taxes. Is Janet shooting to be number 1??? |
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10/29/2019 |
Susan |
Caiazza |
Retired teacher |
Liverpool |
New York |
I am concerned about the cost of this initiative and would like to know the expected cost increase to a gallon of gasoline I am concerned about the cost of this initiative and would like to know the expected cost increase to a gallon of gasoline |
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10/31/2019 |
Roger |
Caiazza |
Retired |
Liverpool |
New York |
The attached comments specifically address the proposal to use a cap-and-invest approach. I propose that instead of funding the programs from auction proceeds as suggested in the framework that... read more The attached comments specifically address the proposal to use a cap-and-invest approach. I propose that instead of funding the programs from auction proceeds as suggested in the framework that the funding come from a tax and that all proceeds be invested as planned in the cap-and-invest approach. There are too many differences between historical market trading programs that successfully reduced emissions and what is proposed for the TCI to expect that the proposed program will work as well. In addition, there are advantages to a tax which can be summed up as simpler is better. |
Transportation Climate Initiative Draft Framework Cap and Invest Caiazza Comments.pdf |
11/5/2019 |
Roger |
Caiazza |
Retired |
Liverpool |
New York |
My attached comments address multiple concerns. I believe that costs must be addressed before any jurisdiction can decide whether to join the TCI. Contrary to the statements saying that there... read more My attached comments address multiple concerns. I believe that costs must be addressed before any jurisdiction can decide whether to join the TCI. Contrary to the statements saying that there has been “extensive” public input to this process I show that the only segment of the public that is even aware of this process has some sort of vested interest in transportation and climate planning. I addressed each of the components of the framework and finally discuss some implementation issues based on my extensive background in cap and trade programs. |
Transportation Climate Initiative Draft Framework Caiazza Comments.pdf |
2/21/2020 |
Roger |
Caiazza |
Retired |
Liverpool |
New York |
Comments attached Comments attached |
Caiazza TCI comments February 2020.pdf |
9/23/2020 |
Roger |
Caiazza |
Retired |
Liverpool |
New York |
I took the time to prepare this comment because I don’t want this program to repeat the implementation problems associated with the Acid Rain Program’s emissions monitoring system. I was involved... read more I took the time to prepare this comment because I don’t want this program to repeat the implementation problems associated with the Acid Rain Program’s emissions monitoring system. I was involved in the EPA reporting from the start of that program and would not wish that experience on anyone. My advice is to keep the requirements as simple as possible and minimize the total level of effort needed to submit and track emissions.
I would be willing to discuss this topic with appropriate staff if there are questions or comments.
Thank you.
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Caiazza TCI Technical Comment September 2020.pdf |
9/29/2020 |
Roger |
Caiazza |
Retired |
Liverpool |
New York |
General comments on the TCI General comments on the TCI |
Caiazza TCI Comment September 30 2020.pdf |
1/16/2020 |
Joan |
Caiazzo |
American citizen |
Fresh Meadows |
New York |
We need clean air and reduced emissions. Do what’s right for the health of the American people. We need clean air and reduced emissions. Do what’s right for the health of the American people. |
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10/25/2019 |
Silvio |
Calabi |
N/A |
Camden |
Maine |
I have been urging our local government agencies—especially the police dept. and school system—to seek VW 'Dieselgate' reparations money to at least begin testing battery-electric... read more I have been urging our local government agencies—especially the police dept. and school system—to seek VW 'Dieselgate' reparations money to at least begin testing battery-electric vehicles. I'd like to see climate/energy legislation that mandates a gradual changeover in municipal and state vehicles to electric power. |
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