TCI Regional Policy Design Stakeholder Submissions

I am a former wind energy engineer. I am very concerned that we reduce carbon emissions as soon and as fast as possible.
1. Do a carbon tax or fee or cap and invest. Do NOT propose a cap and trade program!
2. Collected fees must be returned to citizens - to ensure strong public support
3. Make sure the dividends are structured to make sure low income communities are not unduly burdened by the transition to a green economy
4. Make sure that the tax or cap is adjusted each year to reduce emissions to zero by 2050
5. Provide rigorous independent studies to document the expected efficacy and possible down sides of the proposed plan

We have no time to lose! Any proposal must meet these requirements as it needs to be publicly acceptable and effectively reduce emissions!

This is taxation without representation! Massachusetts voted down an automatic gas tax a few years ago and we don't want one now. Our legislators need to be accountable for tax increases.

Public transportation is a leading cause of carbon emissions. A concerted effort by many States to develop modes of transportation that rely on clean technology would be a major step towards reducing such pollution. In addition, it would provide an opportunity to plan public transportation that serves more communities from lower socio-economic groups. Governor Lamont should be commended for his support of this initiative.

It is critical that Massachusetts addresses its climate emissions! Transportation emissions are 40% of the state’s overall climate emissions. Thus, it is important that we tackle them and I am glad there is an effort to do this. Whatever we do, though, has to be effective and based on science, has to be equitable and must require an honest assessment of the challenges ahead.

Honesty
Starting with honest assessments, the current proposals are described as cutting transportation emissions by 25%. A quick look at supporting TCI analysis documents shows that the state’s business-as-usual transportation emissions are expected to drop 19% over a decade. But this is actually the rosiest possibility. It might only be 6%. On top a very optimistic expectation of business-as-usual transportation emissions, if the TCI process reduces emissions an additional 6%, then, we would get 25% reductions. But states are being asked if they want to reduce emissions 6%, 3% or only 1% over business-as-usual transportation emissions. So, 25% reductions over a decade is based on totally rosy numbers (business-as-usual reductions of 19% and the states all choose bold(?) action to get an additional 6% reductions. Actually, the results might, with equal probability, only be 7% reductions over a decade, or less!

How can have an honest conversation in the state about TCI if TCI proponents are providing misleading information about emissions reductions? Information must be transparent and honest. In this era of misinformation and given the seriousness of the effects of climate change, we cannot afford to be less than honest with ourselves about the potential results of different efforts to address climate change.

Effectiveness
The TCI process must provide policy options that address science-based requirements for climate mitigation which limits global warming to 1.5C over pre-industrial levels. That will require emissions reductions around the globe and in Massachusetts on the order of 40% of current emissions levels per decade. The TCI process is only considering efforts to reduce transportation climate emissions by 1%, 3% or 6% over business-as-usual emissions reductions, over a decade. And we have no assurance at all that business-as-usual emissions reductions will be significant. This is totally unacceptable! We need much steeper emissions reductions than those TCI is considering!

Equity
The TCI process must assure that policy options that address transportation needs in each state are equitable in the sense that they address the impacts policies on low-income communities, environmental justice communities and other disproportionately affects groups. Policies must address equity regarding access to public transportation, cost-effectiveness of public transportation, traffic congestion and its effects, the reduction of transportation climate emissions and related health impacts, impacts on access to new jobs, access to greener transportation options, and access to greener automobile technologies.

We need to be honest about the magnitude of the problem, the effort needed to solve it and the impact that our policies are having. That TCI has created a consortium of states trying to act in concert to address climate emissions from transportation is laudable. Now it needs to step up to the challenge and design effective and equitable policies to address it.

The time has passed to do something and take credit for it. It is time to stand up for our children and do what is needed.

I do not believe TCI is good for Maine or its Citizens . The cost is to high and most of us cannot afford it . Stay out of Maine.

Please do this. A sustainable future is the most important thing to me, nothing else matters for my 1 yr old son.

Higher taxes will burden the people of Maine. Jobs here in Maine are not with out transportation for a great many miles. Please think of the people of Maine.

Voters already voted down gas tax. Why do this when you will impact poorer people who have no choice on how to get to work.

People who listen to Howie Carr know what TCI really is. The people of Massachusetts are fed up with a tax for everything. Our government is for the people, not for special interests. The politicians should be treated like ordinary citizens. They should also have the same health care that is offered to non politicians. We are watching and listening ready to be informed of the devious ways government tries to sneak legislation through. God bless Howie Carr and Donald Trump! No more gas tax! Why don't you tax all the Western Union money being sent over to foreign countries by illegals working under the table if you want more money to squander?