10/25/2019 |
Christiaan |
Beeuwkes |
Citizens Climare Lobby |
Mercer |
Maine |
Electric vehicles offer many advantages:
*No polluting emissions of CO2 (and CO!), no oxides of Nitrogen, carbon soot or oily “blow-by.”
*Less maintenance: fewer moving parts... read more Electric vehicles offer many advantages:
*No polluting emissions of CO2 (and CO!), no oxides of Nitrogen, carbon soot or oily “blow-by.”
*Less maintenance: fewer moving parts, no oil changes or tune-ups
*Inherently quiet; no muffler necessary or catalytic converter
*Lower energy cost per mile
*Charging rates now faster than you can consume a sandwich or visit a restroom.
*Charging often can be integrated with the vagaries of solar and wind.
**I’ll repeat the greatest value: EVs can make a significant contribution to mitigating climate warming.
In short What’s not to like!
We trust you folks to make the decisions that will leave a livable world for your grandchildren.
Thank you.
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5/24/2019 |
James |
Whalen |
Citizens Climate Lobby |
Hudson |
Massachusetts |
My name is Jim Whalen and I live in Hudson, MA. I am an avid cross country skier so I KNOW that climate change is real. I also see violent weather all over the place and I read the science. We... read more My name is Jim Whalen and I live in Hudson, MA. I am an avid cross country skier so I KNOW that climate change is real. I also see violent weather all over the place and I read the science. We must do something and soon. So thank you for this initiative. Market or economic based solutions are needed. A tax on carbon simply makes sense. When gas was over $4 a gallon we all drove less and we looked for fuel efficient vehicles. No more. Gas is cheap and we drive more and huge pickups are popular once again. But let’s avoid the problems we saw in France and be cognizant of people who would suffer under a carbon tax. We should return some of the tax revenue to those who would need it. |
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5/24/2019 |
Lawrence |
Hott |
Citizens Climate Lobby |
Florence |
Massachusetts |
We need to find solutions to climate change fast. The best way to build bipartisan support for limiting the use of fossil fuels is carbon pricing and dividends legislation at the state and... read more We need to find solutions to climate change fast. The best way to build bipartisan support for limiting the use of fossil fuels is carbon pricing and dividends legislation at the state and federal level. I urge the governors to adopt this type of legislation as soon as possible. |
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5/24/2019 |
Jane |
Braaten |
Citizens Climate Lobby |
Hadley |
Massachusetts |
Please support transportation policy that 1) imposes a carbon price high enough to be effective at reducing carbon emissions and 2) is crafted to avoid imposing a burden on low and moderate income... read more Please support transportation policy that 1) imposes a carbon price high enough to be effective at reducing carbon emissions and 2) is crafted to avoid imposing a burden on low and moderate income people. |
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5/28/2019 |
Clifford |
Strawitch |
Citizens Climate Lobby |
Ellicott City |
Maryland |
My name is Cliff Strawitch and I live in Ellicott City, Maryland. Having witnessed firsthand the devastation caused to historic downtown Ellicott City by two catastrophic floods in less than two... read more My name is Cliff Strawitch and I live in Ellicott City, Maryland. Having witnessed firsthand the devastation caused to historic downtown Ellicott City by two catastrophic floods in less than two years, which science tells us was made worse by climate change, I am highly motivated to demand action to reduce greenhouse gasses. The recent IPCC and National Climate Assessment reports on climate change make the urgency of such action clear. Since fossil fuel combustion by transportation is now the largest source of greenhouse gasses, action to reduce this source is essential.
Based on my readings, I believe the best way to reduce this source of greenhouse gasses is a tax on fossil fuels used for transportation. This carbon tax on fossil fuel combustion received the endorsement in the Wall Street Journal on January 17 of 3554 economists including 27 Nobel laureates, 15 former chairs of the Council of Economic Advisors and 2 former Secretaries of the US Department of the Treasury. This approach has been demonstrated in British Columbia (BC), Canada since 2008 to both be effective and politically popular. Figure 1{1} shows just how effective it was at reducing refined petroleum fuel use and therefore greenhouse gas emissions in BC as compared to the rest of Canada.
Figure 1: reduction is fuel use in BC as compared to the rest of Canada. The vertical line at 2008 marks the introduction of the fuel tax.
All the revenues generated by this tax were returned to the people as a reduction in other taxes. After some initial resistance, the tax became popular due to this tax reduction feature. Starting at $10 per ton of carbon dioxide, the tax rose $5 per year until 2012, and has remained at $30 per ton ever since.{1} The tax had no statistically significant impact on GDP, a testament to its ability to shield business and consumers. British Columbia’s GDP growth was on par with the rest of Canada from 2008-2011, actually performing slightly better than the rest of Canada by 0.1 percent. In addition, numerous studies, for example the REMI study{2} , show that this approach benefits the majority of families, including the most financially vulnerable, since they will receive more from this carbon dividend than they pay for increased fuel costs.
In his recent book{3}, Professor Gilbert Metcalf of Tufts University points out that a Cap and Trade approach often suffers from political and economic forces that tend to drive the value of a carbon permit for a ton of CO¬2 down to values that are simply too low to be effective at reducing greenhouse gas emissions as is the case with the current European Emission Trading System{3}. In addition, the price volatility caused by these same forces makes planning very difficult for corporations needing to purchase such permits. A carbon tax suffers from neither of these problems and is therefore in my opinion the best way to address greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector.
References
1. “Analyzing British Columbia’s Carbon Tax: by Wharton Public Policy Initiative, October 30, 2016, https://publicpolicy.wharton.upenn.edu/live/news/1520-analyzing-british-columbias-carbon-tax
2. The Economic, Climate, Fiscal, Power, and Demographic Impact of a National Fee-and-Dividend Carbon Tax”, Regional Economic Modeling Inc., June 9, 2014, https://citizensclimatelobby.org/remi-report/
3. “Paying for Pollution: Why a Carbon Tax is Good for America”, Gilbert E. Metcalf, Oxford University Press, 2019 |
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5/28/2019 |
Sean |
Dague |
Citizens Climate Lobby |
Poughkeepsie |
New York |
In order to have a meaningful impact on switching the transport sector to lower carbon options, we need a meaningful high price on carbon. This would create both consumer economic incentives, and... read more In order to have a meaningful impact on switching the transport sector to lower carbon options, we need a meaningful high price on carbon. This would create both consumer economic incentives, and spur private sector investment to make low and zero carbon options more available.
We must also ensure that policy doesn't overly burden lower income families. A system where carbon fees are recycled as household dividends is one approach to ensure social equity of the program. |
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5/28/2019 |
David |
Clark |
Citizens Climate Lobby |
Owings |
Maryland |
The Citizens Climate Lobby is a nonpartisan nonprofit volunteer advocacy group with over 500 grassroots chapters. CCL supports the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act, H.R. 763, a market-... read more The Citizens Climate Lobby is a nonpartisan nonprofit volunteer advocacy group with over 500 grassroots chapters. CCL supports the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act, H.R. 763, a market-based solution to climate change that encourages emissions reductions while helping the economy.
Please see:
https://citizensclimatelobby.org/energy-innovation-and-carbon-dividend-act/
for more information and how you can help.
“Most impressive is the work of Citizens’ Climate Lobby…If you want to join the fight to save the planet, to save creation for your grandchildren, there is no more effective step you could take than becoming an active member of this group.” ~ Dr. James Hansen, Climate Scientist, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center |
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5/29/2019 |
Judy |
Davis |
Citizens Climate Lobby |
Craftsbury Common |
Vermont |
Transportation and heating represent the bulk of Vermont’s carbon emissions. To reduce our use of fossil fuels most economists say we need a steadily rising carbon emissions fee (with revenue... read more Transportation and heating represent the bulk of Vermont’s carbon emissions. To reduce our use of fossil fuels most economists say we need a steadily rising carbon emissions fee (with revenue returned to households). Technology exists now that will allow us to electrify almost all our energy use, including transportation, heating, farming and industry. Most of Vermont”s electricity is already created from wind, water, and solar (and a little bit of cow power). A price signal plus additional incentives will encourage people to make a quick transition to an all-electric, all-renewables world. |
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5/29/2019 |
Clifford |
Strawitch |
Citizens Climate Lobby |
Ellicott City |
Maryland |
I attach the PDF file of my response since it failed to upload yesterday (5/28) after many attempts. Please attach this to my response from yesterday. Thanks. I attach the PDF file of my response since it failed to upload yesterday (5/28) after many attempts. Please attach this to my response from yesterday. Thanks. |
Cliff Strawitch Response.pdf |
6/1/2019 |
Pat |
Rogers |
Citizens Climate Lobby |
RIverside |
Connecticut |
Putting a price on carbon has been the main suggestion of many leading economists as a means of reducing carbon emissions. The price should be high enough to have the desired effect of curbing... read more Putting a price on carbon has been the main suggestion of many leading economists as a means of reducing carbon emissions. The price should be high enough to have the desired effect of curbing carbon emissions. In addition, the price should be increased over time in order to encourage people to move to renewable energy sources. The bi-partisan nature of this initiative illustrates that this is a universal problem that affects us all throughout the world and we must all work together to resolve this crisis. |
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6/16/2019 |
JoAnn |
Flaum |
Citizens Climate Lobby |
Westport |
Connecticut |
I applaud the members of TCI for working together to price carbon on transportation. I believe that global warming is the most important problem to address right now, affecting, as it does, the... read more I applaud the members of TCI for working together to price carbon on transportation. I believe that global warming is the most important problem to address right now, affecting, as it does, the continued existence of our planet and humans' ability to remain on it.
The price you put on carbon must be high enough to reduce emissions successfully, but it must include subsidies for low-income people and those in rural areas so that the burden of the higher fuel cost is equitably shared.
We need this carbon pricing to happen. Please do all you can to make it so. Thank you. |
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1/31/2020 |
JoAnn |
Flaum |
Citizens Climate Lobby |
Westport |
Connecticut |
I am happy to see a plan to reduce greenhouse gases created by transportation in the Northeast. Placing a price on carbon, whether through a cap-and-trade or a direct fee, is the best way to... read more I am happy to see a plan to reduce greenhouse gases created by transportation in the Northeast. Placing a price on carbon, whether through a cap-and-trade or a direct fee, is the best way to encourage consumers to switch to cleaner transportation, and suppliers to sell cleaner fuels.
This is a climate crisis. We have act NOW to lessen the damage that will be done to our planet. Yes, gas prices will likely go up. But that's what's required to prevent catastrophe. Having multiple contiguous states involved will lessen the ill effects of price rises. And those hardest hit by price rises should receive payment to offset their hardship.
I was dismayed to read that some governors have already decided not to participate in this plan. I implore them to reconsider. The future of the planet depends on all of us. |
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2/25/2020 |
Kenneth |
Copp |
Citizens Climate Lobby |
Thorndike |
Maine |
We all are aware of the science of human-caused climate change and the climate crisis that is now upon us. Given the urgency of the hour, we need to make a war-time effort to stop the prolific... read more We all are aware of the science of human-caused climate change and the climate crisis that is now upon us. Given the urgency of the hour, we need to make a war-time effort to stop the prolific production of greenhouse gases and CO2 emissions. The fact that our transportation sector is one of the leading causes of this dangerous phenomenon clearly shows us that the reduction of CO2 and PM 2.5 particulates from all forms of internal combustion engine-driven vehicles is vital. The switch of all our public transportation vehicles, be they buses or trucks must be rapidly transformed into all-electric motor propulsion. And we don't have time to wait another 10-20 years! It needs to start now!
We have the technology and funds to do so. The cost to not do so and delay will be far more than if we act now. There are studies abroad that clearly show this. We also need to stop the production and sale of all internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles and heavily tax those still on the road. Gas subsidies to the big oil corporations need to end as well. If this were done, we would see a mass shift to electric vehicles by the populace in general, and car manufacturers would either convert to all electric-powered vehicles or cease to exist.
We're talking about the future of human life on this planet, let alone all the non-human species. This is serious, and if we really love our children, and our own well being, but especially the children and grandchildren in our lives, we will take this seriously and be willing to do what it takes to make the change. The sacrifices we are willing to make now will pay large dividens in the near future! |
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2/28/2020 |
Mary |
Porcino |
Citizens Climate Lobby |
Amherst |
Massachusetts |
Here are my concerns about TCI:
1. Please consider investing TCI funds in clean energy, energy efficiency, and more robust public transportation. This would expand career opportunities, and... read more Here are my concerns about TCI:
1. Please consider investing TCI funds in clean energy, energy efficiency, and more robust public transportation. This would expand career opportunities, and better public transportation would make jobs more accessible. Lastly, clean transportation will improve the health of our region and lower our related healthcare costs by reducing air pollution from fossil fuel vehicles.
2. Please ensure that low and moderate income residents do not bear the financial burden, by distributing TCI funds to cover added energy expenses in a manner that corresponds with the timing of higher costs. Also provide TCI funding to rural residents to cover the added gasoline costs incurred from longer driving distances and from extremely limited public transportation options (e.g. Franklin County, MA, has no evening and weekend buses).
3. Please allocate TCI funds to public transportation, municipal energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, EV charging stations in rural areas and urban areas with rental properties, rebates for electric vehicles, including used EVs, and higher EV rebates for low-income residents, to make EVs more accessible to residents of all income levels.
4.Please consider Targeting TCI funding for the development of community solar for moderate and low income residents.
Thank you for your consideration and serious work on this critical issue of climate change in our region.
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2/28/2020 |
Mary |
Porcino |
Citizens Climate Lobby |
Amherst |
Massachusetts |
Here are my concerns about TCI:
1. Please consider investing TCI funds in clean energy, energy efficiency, and more robust public transportation. This would expand career opportunities, and... read more Here are my concerns about TCI:
1. Please consider investing TCI funds in clean energy, energy efficiency, and more robust public transportation. This would expand career opportunities, and better public transportation would make jobs more accessible. Lastly, clean transportation will improve the health of our region and lower our related healthcare costs by reducing air pollution from fossil fuel vehicles.
2. Please ensure that low and moderate income residents do not bear the financial burden, by distributing TCI funds to cover added energy expenses in a manner that corresponds with the timing of higher costs. Also provide TCI funding to rural residents to cover the added gasoline costs incurred from longer driving distances and from extremely limited public transportation options (e.g. Franklin County, MA, has no evening and weekend buses).
3. Please allocate TCI funds to public transportation, municipal energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, EV charging stations in rural areas and urban areas with rental properties, rebates for electric vehicles, including used EVs, and higher EV rebates for low-income residents, to make EVs more accessible to residents of all income levels.
4.Please consider Targeting TCI funding for the development of community solar for moderate and low income residents.
Thank you for your consideration and serious work on this critical issue of climate change in our region.
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3/6/2020 |
Margaret |
Haight |
Citizens Climate Lobby |
Hardwick |
Massachusetts |
We need this initiative. Rapid implementation and aggressive goals are critical, given that we have already delayed too long on reducing emissions at scale. Any fee/tax included needs to... read more We need this initiative. Rapid implementation and aggressive goals are critical, given that we have already delayed too long on reducing emissions at scale. Any fee/tax included needs to safeguard the impact on lower income households. Some type of dividend should be part of the equation. The challenge is to get agreement on a plan in short order, and that indicates an agreement with local discretion paired with strong accountability for results. The agreement should also include strong pressure for carbon pricing at the national level. |
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5/27/2019 |
MJ |
Sorrentino |
Citizens Climate Lobby Rhode Island |
Providence |
Rhode Island |
Thank you for working on this important issue of reducing carbon dioxide equivalent and other pollution from the transportation section. I hope that the policy will have a pollution price high... read more Thank you for working on this important issue of reducing carbon dioxide equivalent and other pollution from the transportation section. I hope that the policy will have a pollution price high enough to effectively reduce the emissions needed according to the latest science --- that is, 50% reduction by 2030 and net zero by 2050.
Please ensure that this policy has a strong component of social equity and doesn't hurt rural or low/moderate income people and those same populations have equal access to transport and EVs as anyone else.
I am appreciative that this can be a model for the rest of the country if done correctly. Moreover, it can show bipartisan support for strong action on climate pollutants and can usher the changes in the transportation sector that is so urgently needed. For further information on what states can do, please visit
Legal Pathways to Deep Decarbonization by Michael Gerrard and John Dernbach, editors:
https://biotech.law.lsu.edu/blog/deep_decarb_summary_booklet_online.pdf
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2/27/2020 |
Annie |
ayes |
Citizens Climate Lobby, Climate Reality, Sunrise |
West Wareham |
Massachusetts |
Having recently seen The Human Element, I am even more aware of the chemicals our atmosphere is infused with at our hands. Little kids are breathing through face masks made to look like elephant... read more Having recently seen The Human Element, I am even more aware of the chemicals our atmosphere is infused with at our hands. Little kids are breathing through face masks made to look like elephant faces multiple times a day at home and in school to stay alive. They explain that it feels like drowning when their damaged lungs fail to deliver adequate oxygen due to the pollution from the convenience of using fossil fuels. Our definition of fossil fuel necessity has been smothered by the scientific data that shows how we are destroying our life support systems. Shame on us for complaining that we don't like an additional gas tax. Our first responsibility is to life. We have lost our way as we minimize its fragility and our necessary stewardship. All around us we see the consequences accrue and the death of species; plants, animals and loved ones. My concern is that this legislation is as vetted and as extreme in its effectiveness as is humanly possible. I believe the team assembled and the sponsors behind this initiative are taking their moral role as shapers of our children's futures seriously. I thank you. Sign. Enact. Better our futures. |
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2/24/2020 |
Jeffrey |
Gardner |
Citizens for Environmental Safety |
Scranton |
Pennsylvania |
At CES, we see real potential in this project. However there are a few things I believe we need to be very cautious about. Electric vehicles are featured prominently in the website and preliminary... read more At CES, we see real potential in this project. However there are a few things I believe we need to be very cautious about. Electric vehicles are featured prominently in the website and preliminary discussions, and we need to be clear that electric cars are a last resort, the second to worst option only better than regular cars. Public transport, and building safe, dense, and equitable cities around it, and biking and walking as well, need to be our focus. The lithium and cobalt and other materials needed to make these EVs are hugely damaging to the environment, and are primarily obtained through brutal slave labor in central Africa. And building 1 electric bus only requires 4 times more of these materials but carries 50 times more people. Same goes for energy-an electric or a electric-powered train carries many times more people a given distance per kWh. Right now, most power is coal and natural gas, and while it's slowly cleaning up, it's nowhere near fast enough to make electric cars a good idea, especially when more cars mean even more energy needed, so even more renewables would be needed to achieve the same emissions levels. Getting people out of cars solves emissions here and now, and more effectively. It is also equitable, because a huge part of society can barely afford regular cars, or cannot at all, and have to depend desperately on public transit systems that have been destroyed. They can't afford electric cars either, even more so-don't let them be left behind.
The whole reason the US, and other similar nations like Canada and Australia, have such high transportation emissions, is because we decided over the last 50 years to allow cars to take over total control. Rip down our cities for highways and parking lots, and cut public transit. That's why Europe's emissions are so low compared to ours, because they didn't do it nearly as extensively as we did. Now is our time to work this backwards, repair the damage that we did, not pass the buck and double down on the very things that caused our problems in the first place, and hope that electricity emissions decrease fast enough to account for us not choosing to do what is right, and help us avoid disaster.
Jet fuel definitely needs to be taxed, and so does electric car charging. And we need mileage based taxation to replace gas taxes because otherwise electric cars are getting even more subsidies.
We recommend the following programs to try to achieve these goals, whether through legislation and/or using funding to pay for these things:
-End exclusionary single family and large lot residential zoning and embrace transit oriented development (maybe provide funding for urban planning fees and/or incentives to municipalities who do)-minimum of 10 dwelling units per acre
-Ratchet up funding for city and regional transit authorities, both for electric buses and light rail, and for increased service frequency
-More funding to state-funded Amtrak service for more frequent service, and for restoring canceled rail lines and increasing speeds. Maybe more amtrak buses too, or funding for bus services like Trailways, to improve service
-Money for development assistance in Midsize Rust Belt cities like Scranton, Buffalo, Cleveland, Utica, Binghamton, Springfield, Baltimore, where the suburbanization has killed city housing value so badly that infill development is impossible to finance
-Money for new bike lanes and trails, and subsidies for electric assist bicycles
Thank you |
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11/11/2019 |
Douglas |
Funke |
Citizens for Regional Transit |
Amherst |
New York |
Achieving the objectives of the TCI demands better public transit. Period. Noting that the stated objectives of New York's TCI plan are to "reduce emissions, boost the economy, improve... read more Achieving the objectives of the TCI demands better public transit. Period. Noting that the stated objectives of New York's TCI plan are to "reduce emissions, boost the economy, improve public health, and achieve fair and equitable outcomes for underserved communities," Citizens for Regional Transit implores our public servants to use the revenues derived from the proposed Cap & Invest initiative to invest in expanding mass transit in a region as densely populated as Western New York. The transportation sector is the largest contributor of carbon emmisions, and sixty percent of our transportation-generated carbon emissions come from light vehicles (cars), while only 3-4% come from buses. Thus, while the electrification of buses is welcome, we are not going to make much progress reducing our carbon footprint if vehicle miles traveled in cars is not dramatically reduced---which, in turn, cannot happen unless motorists are provided with viable transit alternatives to commuting by car. Given the relatively small proportion of carbon emissions from buses, this holds true whether or not buses are electrified. We need to improve the transit alternative to reduce VMT in order to reduce carbon emissions. Even the electrification of cars does nothing to reduce congestion, eliminate the demand for more and more environment-damaging parking, and puts more demand on the electrical grid that will have to rely more heavily on carbon-based sources.
Expanding public transportation for all not only stands to reduce carbon emissions from transportation, but simultaneously improves mobility options and equitable access for seniors, the disabled, and low-income communities. It also spurs economic growth by attracting transit-oriented development and delivering employees and customers to businesses. Numerous studies also show benefits to public health when access to public transportation promotes walkable and bikeable communities while reducing air pollution. In short, expanding mass transit would support all of New York's TCI investment goals.
Citizens for Regional Transit advocates for a comprehensive multimodal mobility system, but especially promotes expansion of our zero-emissions light rail rapid transit, which runs on clean hydroelectric power from Niagara Falls. Buffalo's Metro Rail was originally designed to serve the entire region via a 46-mile network of lines on publicly-owned but disused railroad rights-of-way. Expansion is still possible to the north, east, and south of our downtown, collecting passengers at Park-and-Ride lots and whisking them above ground to centers of employment, education, culture and commerce faster than they could hope to drive; and does this with zero carbon emissions. We hope to see legacy railroad infrastructure adapted to 21st century needs, both for commuter and intercity travel.
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