TCI Regional Policy Design Stakeholder Submissions

I'm not an expert on transportation, but I am an environmental scientist, and I am seriously concerned about the world's sluggishness in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. I would like to say that I wholeheartedly support the TCI goal of moving to low-carbon transport! I will preferentially vote for leaders who move forward on this issue

It is critical that we drastically reduce pollution from transportation as they are the largest source of global warming emissions both regionally and nationally. I request that Rhode Island formally join the plan to reduce emissions. I further request that the plan include a strong component of equity through prioritizing clean investments in areas overburdened by pollution and/or for those who don't have access. I further request that both flexibility and sustainability get prioritized so that technological advancements be implemented in such a method that aging doesn't lead to avoidable pollution but instead to recycling solutions and/or additional technological implementations. I am grateful for the "can do" attitude and the bipartisan nature of this project.

Anything that can be done to reduce emissions and improve our public transportation system especially in the rural part of the state will contribute to the health of the planet and our children.

Thank you to the Initiative for working towards a clean transportation future. It is most urgently needed!
Please also consider the following suggestions:
- Electrification of school bus fleets. Cities and school districts, including in colder climate areas, are demonstrating that this is economically viable. Financial incentives and/or creative financing options are needed for school districts as this will affect the health of not only future but current students
- instead of cap-and-trade, please consider Fee-and-Dividend systems like the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividen Act (Initiative supported by Citizens’ Climate Lobby), that would take care of the worries of low/ fixed income regional residents about raised prices
- with all due respect, even the most modern diesel is still not clean. Neither diesel nor natural gas should be part of any long term plan for transportation
- more public transportation along our main traffic axis. Daily commutes to/ from/ between larger cities need to become mostly public, more affordable and more convenient than individual traffic

Please keep working on this Initiative, keep integrating as much public input and scientific data as possible, publicize all findings, and urge regional legislations to implement asap! Thank you.

We can cut poverty and pollution at the same time. We urge you to move forward with a regional program that prioritizes the needs of communities overburdened with pollution and underserved in mobility options.

Public transit in this country, a key in dealing with climate change, has been neglected far too long. As compared with other industrialized countries, our transit infrastructure is inconvenient, overcrowded, largely obsolete and often dank and dirty. It's a disgrace and leads people to drive far more than they should need to - which in turn results both to excessive carbon emissions and personal stress. A plan like the one here envisioned is a good remedial starting place. When fleshed out, it could potentially transform our living standard much for the better.

Transportation is the number one source of climate pollution in the United States. In order to cut emissions, and to slow the impact of global warming, we need to reimagine the way that we transport people and goods.

The states of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and the city of Washington, D.C., are working on a groundbreaking policy to modernize the transportation sector under the Transportation and Climate Initiative.

We need a 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
• Sustainable and equitable housing near transit and electric bus fleets in urban communities

I fully support this and I urge TCI to aggressively promote and adopt innovative initiatives. I live in a suburb of Boston, where traffic is terrible and public transit is, too! For the most part, unless we work in downtown Boston or Worcester, we are forced to drive. We need alternatives that allow growth and economic vitality with minimal additional pollution.

Reducing pollution from our transportation systems as quickly as possible is essential for a livable climate in years to come. The TCI would offer Maine an effective way to pursue this goal in concert with other states.

I am opposed to this increase in gas tax. I am a one income family of five and this will not help people like me in obtaining a newer lower carbon vehicle. Although the amount of tax may seem small it has large impacts to families like mine. This will also not curb the amount of travel I will be doing as I work six days a week and can’t afford time off to even travel in state.