TCI Regional Policy Design Stakeholder Submissions

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.

This is potentially ANOTHER TAX on the WORKING members and their families. Mismanagement of our
transportation departments does NOT warrant another tax on the WORKING (!) public. Find $$ elsewhere !

I am extremely interested in the passage of this transportation/climate initiative both for global and personal reasons. There should be no room in a civilized society for air and water to be anything less than pristine, both from a health perspective, and from a quality of life perspective. The fact that transportation pollution disproportionately affects inner-city neighborhoods is just one of many reasons. None of us are untouched by pollution and its effects. The science is clear that man made causes of climate change need to be reversed before they create a permanently non-reversible situation that is untenable. From a personal perspective, my spouse has no options but to drive in heavy stop-and-go traffic two times each day. There are no public means of transportation to travel north and south on Route 128, nor many other routes as well. This directly affects our quality of life, and productive or enjoyable personal time. It also heavily adds to the region's pollution and the effect on the ozone layer.

I appreciate that Governor Baker is in favor of this initiative, and I hope it is the first of many such initiatives to come that will turn back the hands of time to before the productive, but detrimental, industrial age.

The TCI should direct revenue toward the goal of providing free public transportation throughout the region. At minimum, this would involve fare-free bus service and commuter train service across the region. An initial study should be performed to determine the revenue required to meet this goal, and the overall cost savings in terms of a comprehensive assessment that includes reduction in fossil fuel use, accidents and deaths, and other undesirable effects of the existing transportation system.

I am writing to encourage Gov. Scott to join TCI today.

Whether or not Vermont joins TCI, we will pay. TCI will require fossil fuel depot operators to purchase an allocation for the amount of pollution their products cause. As the Deputy Secretary of the Agency of Natural Resources explained, Vermont imports 100% of its gasoline and diesel from fuel depots located in other states. While depot operators could absorb these costs out of their profits, it is anticipated that they will pass most, if not all, of their obligation expenses onto downstream distributors. If, as seems likely, some of the states Vermont imports fossil fuels from join TCI then Vermont distributors will be burdened with TCI’s compliance costs and they, in turn, will pass those costs onto consumers whether or not Vermont joins the compact.

If Vermont joins TCI, the State will receive more revenue for investments than Vermonters contribute to the program. As currently contemplated, the proceeds from depots buying allowances will be distributed to TCI states based on the volume of transit fuels sold within each jurisdiction. This design works in Vermont’s favor since, as Scott Administration officials estimated at the recent public meetings, 20-25% of the gasoline and on-road diesel sales in Vermont are sold to out-of-state travelers. That means that for every dollar Vermonters contribute, the State will receive as much as $1.25-$1.33 for 21st Century transportation investments.

Taken together, these points make joining TCI a no-brainer, and refusal to join a disservice to Vermont’s economy. Vermonters will pay either way, but if we’re in we’ll receive back more than we put in.

We are in support of all efforts to reduce carbon emissions and feel that any action taken in that direction is a step towards collectively caring for our planet.