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2/28/2020 |
Douglas |
Funke |
Citizens for Regional Transit |
Buffalo, New York |
New York |
Given the large proportion of greenhouse gases (GHG) generated from the transportation sector (40%) (Reference 1, page 17, Reference 2, page 1) and the slow projected growth of electric vehicles (... read more Given the large proportion of greenhouse gases (GHG) generated from the transportation sector (40%) (Reference 1, page 17, Reference 2, page 1) and the slow projected growth of electric vehicles (EV) within total light duty vehicle (LDV) on-the-road population increasing to only 10% by 2025 and to 25% by 2030 (Reference 2, page 3), it is important to transition people from cars to public transit where the pollution per passenger mile is a small fraction of that from driving. The daily congestion and gridlock experienced on New York’s highways and the acres of environmentally damaging parking they demand, further illustrates the importance of moving to public transit.
Disincentives for driving and incentives for using energy efficient public transit are needed to achieve the shift to transit. Investments to improve public transportation infrastructure will be critical for: (1) attracting car commuters to transit; and (2) handling increased ridership on transit as more people leave their cars at home. Transit incentives and investments will be critical for meeting CLCPA GHG reduction goals.
We therefore ask that the Cap & Invest program of New York State’s Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) be structured in a way that discourages driving (especially in urban areas) and uses the Cap & Invest revenues along with NYS general budget funds, to make public transportation a viable alternative to driving. Much needs to be done. Both capital investments for expanding high capacity transit (e.g., Buffalo’s hydro-powered light rail) and making improvements to urban transit operations (e.g., increasing the frequency of buses) are needed. Improvements to public transportation are a precondition for meeting the carbon reduction goals of the NYS Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA).
Further, since science tells us that we have a very short window to act if we are to mitigate the effects of climate change, it is imperative that we move quickly to reduce GHG emissions. Since the transportation sector is the biggest source of the problem, it needs to be prioritized immediately!
The Transportation Sector is Key. Transportation is the largest GHG contributing sector, at 40%, compared to just 20% for the residential sector, the next largest (Reference 1, page 17). Since we need to further reduce GHG emissions another 16% by 2025 to meet Erie County goals for meeting Paris Climate Accord goals and another 32% by 2030 to meet the NYS CLCPA goals, reductions in the transportation sector will be critical.
“It’s the cars, stupid”. Within the transportation sector, light duty vehicles, including taxis and car share vehicles, contribute the largest portion, 60%, of GHG with public transit contributing the lowest, 3% (Reference 2, page 1 and 2). Clearly, the path to meeting the NYS GHG reduction goals must include substantially reducing vehicle miles traveled by car. This is most efficiently done by converting people from mostly car-based travel in urban areas to public transit, where per passenger mile GHG emissions are much lower than for light duty vehicles, especially when we move to electric-powered transit like Buffalo’s largely hydro-powered light rail and considering the NFTA’s commitment to convert to electric buses. Given the slow fleet replacement time for LDVs and the time urgency of reducing GHG generation, transition to electrically powered travel can be accomplished faster with transit.
Clean public transit will need to play a larger role for urban commutes and mobility. Since energy per passenger mile is much lower on transit, this will also reduce the electric load on the grid and minimize the need to use carbon-based sources.
High capacity transit is needed to handle increased ridership. High capacity transit like light rail will be needed to handle the increased ridership as people choose to leave their cars at home. A typical 4-car light rail train can move 560 people every 10 minutes in each direction of service. This removes between 140 and 560 cars from the roads (every 10 minutes). Since light rail uses dedicated rights-of-way, they move at 50 MPH between stops, much faster than cars on city streets or congested highways. Buses, by contrast can carry 70 people every 10 minutes. But because buses share lanes with cars and make frequent stops to pick up passengers, they move relatively few people compared to light rail. And their slow speed makes them unable to attract large numbers of choice riders. Bus rapid transit (BRT) solutions provide a middle ground using larger articulated buses carrying 100 people per bus on mostly dedicated lanes. This competes more strongly against car-based travel, moving faster than traffic but slower than light rail.
Investments in public transit are needed. But today’s transit systems are inadequate to handle the number of people who now commute by car. This makes it imperative that we invest in improving our transit infrastructure. We need to deploy and extend Buffalo’s light rail transit system and purchase additional buses, preferable electric buses that can use carbon-neutral sources. Improvements in our public transit infrastructure will also be critical for attracting people to public transit. The need is great because we have neglected to maintain and upgrade our transit systems for many decades. Buffalo’s light rail system is mostly powered (60%) by green hydropower and needs to play a larger role in transportation solutions in Buffalo-Niagara. But it needs to be expanded to serve the larger region as originally planned.
Buffalo’s light rail system provides the foundation. In Buffalo, we already have a light rail system worth over $1 billion (in today’s dollars) along with publicly owned and available rights-of-way that can be repurposed for very cost-effective expansion. In addition to the planned light rail extension to UB’s Amherst campus, rights-of-way through Buffalo’s Eastside to Larkinville, the Buffalo Niagara International Airport and Southtowns are available and should be the next investment. We need to leverage this resource to provide a viable network of light rail connectivity, beginning with the Amherst extension and ultimately including extensions to the Eastside/Airport and Southtowns.
The Cap and Trade mechanism needs to be structured to discourage driving and provide funding for transit. The ability to meet NYS’s commitment to GHG reductions will require investments in public transit along with incentives for mode shifting. Further, viable and sustainable funding mechanisms for transit operations will need to be put in place. The extent to which these funding mechanisms also reduce the attractiveness of car-based travel, which is causing the problem, will make the shift to green transit-based solutions achievable. For example, congestion pricing / tolling along city expressways entering cities like Buffalo’s Kensington Expressway should be considered as part of the cap and invest mechanism in addition to directly taxing carbon-based fuels.
References:
1. “Erie County Commits to Paris: How Erie Can Meet US Target Reductions for Greenhouse Gas Emissions”, Erie County Executive Mark Polencarz. Jan 2018.
2. “Transforming Transportation in New York: Roadmaps to a Transportation Climate Target for 2035”, Synapse Energy Economics prepared for the Sierra Club. September 2019.
3. “New York to Approve One of the World’s Most Ambitious Climate Plans.” Jesse McKinley and Brad Plumber. NY Times. June 18, 2019.
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12/1/2019 |
Raymond |
Phillips |
Citizens for Truth |
SUDBURY |
Massachusetts |
It is another ill-defined, pie-in-the-sky political boondoggle. It’s all about handing over more money to a bloated bureaucracy and generating more hack jobs. You are not fooling anybody. It is another ill-defined, pie-in-the-sky political boondoggle. It’s all about handing over more money to a bloated bureaucracy and generating more hack jobs. You are not fooling anybody. |
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5/24/2019 |
Jennifer |
Kleindienst |
Citizens' Climate Lobby |
Middletown |
Connecticut |
My name is Jennifer Kleindienst, a resident of Middletown, CT, a community activist, and volunteer with Citizens' Climate Lobby. I believe that climate change is the most important issue of... read more My name is Jennifer Kleindienst, a resident of Middletown, CT, a community activist, and volunteer with Citizens' Climate Lobby. I believe that climate change is the most important issue of our planet, country, and region, and that we must do all we can to reduce its effects and mitigate its impacts. As transportation accounts for the largest portion of greenhouse gas emissions nationally and locally, developing a strong transportation and climate initiative is essential.
When developing this policy, I make two strong requests to improve effectiveness and equity:
1. The price on carbon must be high enough to effectively reduce emissions according to the latest available scientific projections.
2. The policy must include a strong component of social equity so that it does not disproportionately negatively impact rural residents or low/moderate income people.
I am grateful that this process is bipartisan - this is essential to making the initiative have lasting effectiveness.
Thank you for welcoming public comment and I look forward to seeing the finalized strong policy. |
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5/24/2019 |
Sarah |
Weck |
Citizens' Climate Lobby |
West Chesterfield |
New Hampshire |
My name is Sarah and I am a volunteer with Citizens' Climate Lobby. I live in West Chesterfield, New Hampshire and support a price on carbon. Climate change is the biggest threat humankind... read more My name is Sarah and I am a volunteer with Citizens' Climate Lobby. I live in West Chesterfield, New Hampshire and support a price on carbon. Climate change is the biggest threat humankind has ever faced and it requires us to take swift action. As stated in the 2018 I.P.C.C. report, the world has fewer than twelve years in which to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at least 45% below 2017 levels.
According to over three thousand five hundred of the world's leading economists, putting a price on carbon is the most effective way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The price should be high enough to, at a minimum, reach the goals outlined in the I.P.C.C. report. The implementation should not harm those in lower income brackets.
I support TCI and am appreciative that it is bipartisan in nature. The changing climate does not discriminate. It affects all of us regardless of political affiliation, race, gender, age, income, ethnicity, nationality or species. We all benefit from a stable climate and we will all suffer as our climate becomes less stable.
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5/26/2019 |
Patricia |
Clark |
citizens' Climate Lobby |
Kennebunk |
Maine |
It is imperative that all people of this world do their share to mitigate climate change. Those of us in the developed world have done the most to destroy the world's climate so it is our... read more It is imperative that all people of this world do their share to mitigate climate change. Those of us in the developed world have done the most to destroy the world's climate so it is our responsibility to rectify this issue. I would impose a carbon tax through higher gasoline taxes, and taxes on emissions. In order to not unduly affect the poor, there should be an unearned income credit. Those who earn more should pay the tax.
In rural states, the tax on gasoline could be imposed in the more highly populated areas of the state. |
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5/28/2019 |
Julia |
Plumb |
Citizens' Climate Lobby |
Belfast |
Maine |
Hello,
As a supporter of Citizens' Climate Lobby, I am thrilled to hear about this bipartisan effort to limit emissions by way of a carbon pricing scheme. As a woman in my... read more Hello,
As a supporter of Citizens' Climate Lobby, I am thrilled to hear about this bipartisan effort to limit emissions by way of a carbon pricing scheme. As a woman in my thirties, the climate crisis has a huge impact on my life. We are already feeling the effects of climate change in my coastal town, effects that are nothing in comparison with the effects of the sea-level rise we are already locked into thanks to current and past emissions. Climate change's impact on my local environment, on global food production, and world conflict and security issues, among other areas, stand to profoundly effect the rest of my life.
I encourage you to set carbon prices in line with what current science shows would effectively reduce emissions: setting initial rates high enough, increasing the rate over time, and building in a clause to increase prices at a faster rate if emissions reduction targets are not met.
The environmental and economic impacts of climate change already affect lower-income people disproportionately, particularly considering lower-income people consume at a lessor rate, generating fewer emissions. Please build in protections that will enable poorer households to stay afloat and themselves transition to lower-carbon ways of living.
Thank you for your work.
Julia Plumb |
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2/21/2020 |
R Bruce |
Cooper |
Citizens' Climate Lobby |
Cranberry Twp |
Pennsylvania |
Transportation is the largest source of air pollution in the region, and we need to build a modern, clean, safe, and accessible transportation system for the 21st century. The more we limit... read more Transportation is the largest source of air pollution in the region, and we need to build a modern, clean, safe, and accessible transportation system for the 21st century. The more we limit pollution from motor fuels, the more jobs we create, the more the economy grows, the healthier our air becomes, and the more lives we save. Pennsylvania should join TCI to fund better transportation infrastructure, reduce traffic, and make my community a cleaner, safer place to live. |
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2/25/2020 |
Peter |
Dugas |
Citizens' Climate Lobby |
Portland |
Maine |
Maine needs an ambitious plan to reduce climate-changing transportation pollution. Working together with neighboring states to give Maine hundreds of millions of dollars it can invest here at home... read more Maine needs an ambitious plan to reduce climate-changing transportation pollution. Working together with neighboring states to give Maine hundreds of millions of dollars it can invest here at home just makes sense. |
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2/20/2020 |
Linda |
Lancaster |
Citizens' Climate Lobby - South Shore & Cape Chapter |
Plymouth |
Massachusetts |
Dear Governor Baker:
I applaud your initiative to take aggressive action to reduce transportation emissions. Scientists say that we do in the next 10 years will make the difference between... read more Dear Governor Baker:
I applaud your initiative to take aggressive action to reduce transportation emissions. Scientists say that we do in the next 10 years will make the difference between a liveable and an unimaginably bad climate. There is great urgency to bring down emissions, because we've waited so long to get serious about tackling the problem. This isn't a reason to give up, it's a call to get more aggressive.
We must build modern, fast, affordable public transportation to and from Boston from semi-rural areas like Plymouth in order to get people out of cars. I used to live in Newton and work in Cambridge. A year or two before I retired, we moved to Plymouth in search of affordable retirement housing. Commuting from Plymouth to Cambridge was a nightmare, 2 hours each way when travel to the Kingston train station is included. I found the commuter rail an overall pleasant if costly experience. Including parking and MBTA to Cambridge, it was about $29/day. How many workers can afford $145/week for commuting? No wonder the parking lot never filled up. We need more trains and cheaper fares, and you'll see train ridership spike up to capacity.
I also strongly support dedicated bus lanes on route 3 for the Plymouth & Brockton bus company. How about electric buses? Adding buses requires a lot less capital than enhancing rail lines -- though we need to do both. The bus is another attractive way to get to Boston from the Cape and South Shore, but buses clogged in route 3 traffic degrade the experience. If you drive alone, there isn't any of the thrill of the open road you see in car commercials. Commuters would gladly ditch cars if they could have fast, affordable buses that get them to a South Station that has fast, reliable service to Boston locations. It is absurd to expect the MBTA to fix existing problems and make capital improvements while being saddled with the debt of the Big Dig. The MBTA should be subsidized by the state to make it better. Long term, maybe the MBTA is unsustainable, but it's the way I got around in Boston the 6 years I lived there without a car.
We also need to encourage EV vehicles, with more charging stations and better incentives. The $7500 fed tax credit is gone for the most popular EV cars - this sends absolutely the wrong message. EV vehicles could be allowed to use the fast bus lanes.
I know the south shore best, but such transport improvements are needed in the entire state. Fast train from Boston to Worcester? Outstanding! Congestion pricing on the Pike? Yes!
So I support TCI and more. Thank you for showing leadership.
Sincerely, Linda Lancaster
South Shore & Cape Chapter, Citizens' Climate Lobby |
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2/27/2020 |
Linda |
Lancaster |
Citizens' Climate Lobby - South Shore & Cape Chapter |
PLYMOUTH |
Massachusetts |
I strongly support the TCI transportation initiative. A significant percent of Massachusetts' carbon emissions comes from vehicles, and state law requires that we reduce emissions. TCI will... read more I strongly support the TCI transportation initiative. A significant percent of Massachusetts' carbon emissions comes from vehicles, and state law requires that we reduce emissions. TCI will generate revenue for investment in transportation infrastructure, including public transportation, electrifying buses, building charging stations for electric cars, and incenting citizens to drive less and buy more fuel efficient vehicles. This bill is a significant step forward in bringing down emissions, which are destroying climate and damaging public health. Please vote favorably on this bill. |
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3/5/2020 |
Stan |
Franzeen |
Citizens' Climate Lobby, Salem Allliance for the Environment (SAFE) |
Salem |
Massachusetts |
Dear Governor Baker:
As a senior citizen on a fixed income, I am writing in support of the Transportation Climate Initiative currently under review.
Before I retired... read more Dear Governor Baker:
As a senior citizen on a fixed income, I am writing in support of the Transportation Climate Initiative currently under review.
Before I retired, I worked in transportation demand management, both as the executive director of a TMA, and as the commuter services contractor for Pfizer. In the latter role, I helped facilitate the implementation of an MBTA pass program to accompany the transition of Pfizer's Cambridge work force from Alewife to Kendall Square.
I am keenly aware of the role of transportation (vis-a-vis greenhouse gas emissions) in the climate crisis and am excited to see TCI come to fruition.
Hopefully, there is enough political will across the board to approve TCI and start planning as soon as possible.
Thank you. |
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5/25/2019 |
Sam |
Saltonstall |
Citizens’ Climate Lobby |
Brunswick |
Maine |
I appreciate this effort and it’s bipartisan nature. I am concerned about climate change, but also concerned that any new policy to drive down emissions be carefully crafted. In Maine, emissions... read more I appreciate this effort and it’s bipartisan nature. I am concerned about climate change, but also concerned that any new policy to drive down emissions be carefully crafted. In Maine, emissions from transportation constitute our largest source of climate change causing pollution. We are largely a rural state, and many of our citizens are not well off. Yet a culture here has evolved where driving large heavy vehicles such as pickup trucks and SUVs is common practice. I believe one measure with potential is to incentivize the purchase of smaller and lighter vehicles without penalizing those who drive larger and heavier ones. If a carbon fee on fuels used for transportation is instituted, it will be important to avoid the kind of backlash we have seen in France. The fee must be large enough to cause a change in consumer habits, but should not be punitive to those who feel they must have a big vehicle. Consumer freedom of choice should prevail, but with attractive savings accruing to those who downsize. Some sort of break for low income people might be one way of achieving emissions reductions without causing a major backlash. |
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5/27/2019 |
Adelheid |
Koepfer |
Citizens’ Climate Lobby |
Wallingford |
Connecticut |
I am writing today to express my support for a strong carbon pricing policy in the transportation sector.
As a mother of three, I am very concerned if we can turn around and take action on... read more I am writing today to express my support for a strong carbon pricing policy in the transportation sector.
As a mother of three, I am very concerned if we can turn around and take action on climate change in time to avert the worst effects on our kids and grandkids. Having lived in Europe for a long time, I follow their efforts to reign in green house gas emissions closely, and I am glad that in the US, states and cities are finally getting on board and taking regional initiatives of their own.
I am thrilled to hear that the Transportation Climate Initiative is developing a policy that would put a price on carbon for our transportation sector. I am grateful and very optimistic for this policy, as it is a bipartisan endeavor.
In order for the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern states to achieve our necessary climate goal, pricing Carbon is a genial first step. The policy needs to
- put a price on carbon high enough to effectively decrease emissions (new technology enables higher efficiency, less consumption, but only if the old way gets more inconvenient or too expensive), and this price needs to be based on the latest science.
- Furthermore, the new policy needs to make sure that rural or low income populations are not hurt disproportionately.
The Citizens’ Climate Lobby has been working in a similar carbon pricing nation wide for years now. Please inquire how their model (clear, transparent pricing over 10 years, with the dividend distributed to all Americans equally) can inspire the new policy to be adopted by the TCI.
Thank you for taking my comments,
Adelheid Koepfer
35 Whiffle Tree Road
Wallingford, CT 06492 |
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2/21/2020 |
David |
Kornreich |
citiznen |
Syracuse |
New York |
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... read more 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
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2/27/2020 |
Ben |
Zaitchik |
City of Baltimore Sustainability Commission |
Baltimore |
Maryland |
On behalf of the City of Baltimore Sustainability Commission: we applaud the MOU emphasis on equity in implementation of TCI policies, and would like to emphasize the elevated transportation... read more On behalf of the City of Baltimore Sustainability Commission: we applaud the MOU emphasis on equity in implementation of TCI policies, and would like to emphasize the elevated transportation pollution burden felt by urban populations, on account of the concentration of transport in their residential and work areas. For this reason, we propose that the exiting paragraph:
"BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Signatory Jurisdictions will work with communities to ensure that the benefits of a cap-and-invest program flow equitably to communities that are underserved by clean transportation alternatives, disproportionately bear the costs of the current transportation system, or suffer disproportionate impacts of vehicular pollution and climate change;"
be edited to include a final phrase: "including urban populations burdened by vehicular pollution from non-resident commuters and from commercial and industrial vehicles."
More broadly, we urge an emphasis on coordination between State-level authorities and city governments on TCI implementation as this process moves forward.
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11/5/2019 |
Cynthia |
Espinosa |
City of Holyoke |
Holyoke |
Massachusetts |
Just saw on the Boston herald that based on this program/plan, Governor of MA will increase the green tax. https://www.bostonherald.com/2019/11/01/green-gas-tax-bid-could-push-prices-close-to-5-a-... read more Just saw on the Boston herald that based on this program/plan, Governor of MA will increase the green tax. https://www.bostonherald.com/2019/11/01/green-gas-tax-bid-could-push-prices-close-to-5-a-gallon/
Also, can you make the form anonymous so that people who may not have an address or affiliation can submit their input/feedback? Equity is a big part of it and right now, this does not feel like it can reach those who are uncomfortable with such form or may not have an email. |
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2/13/2020 |
Ryan |
O’Malley |
City of Malden |
Malden |
Massachusetts |
My name is Ryan O’Malley and I represent Ward 4 on the Malden City Council. I believe it is important to reduce pollution from transportation because it greatly impacts the health outcomes of... read more My name is Ryan O’Malley and I represent Ward 4 on the Malden City Council. I believe it is important to reduce pollution from transportation because it greatly impacts the health outcomes of residents who live near transportation corridors like highways. Malden is entirely an Environmental Justice community and we are also surrounded by highways which produce greenhouse gases and particulates which make our air quality poor. These negative health outcomes disproportionally impacts communities of color, the working class, and the poor.
I would like to thank Governor Baker and his administration for the leadership and drive to join the program. Massachusetts always has and must continue to be a leader for environmental advocacy. I urge the Governor and his dedicated team to select the most aggressive greenhouse gas reduction target because bold and decisive action now will pay off dividends in the future.
The Commonwealth should prioritize investments in Environmental Justice communities like Malden and areas that are not currently served by public transit. Bus trap is transit is also a great and cost effective way to bring public transit to underserved areas. A local example of a low hanging fruit would be to extend the bus rapid transit program on Broadway in Everett up the rest of Broadway to Malden, Melrose, and Saugus. This project would completely transform commuting on the North Shore by providing a direct connection to North Station. The opportunity to utilize Encore casino mitigation funds should make this a top priority for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Sincerely,
Ryan O’Malley
City Councillor
City of Malden
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12/16/2019 |
Anne |
Watson |
City of Montpelier |
Montpelier |
Vermont |
I am strongly in favor this initiative. Most of Vermont's carbon emissions are from the transportation sector and there needs to be an investment to help us make the transition. This type of... read more I am strongly in favor this initiative. Most of Vermont's carbon emissions are from the transportation sector and there needs to be an investment to help us make the transition. This type of cap-and-invest program has been hugely successful elsewhere in North America, and I hope we can take this step in the Northeast. The data shows that places with a cap-and-invest program can have their economies grow while their carbon emissions decline. I'm grateful for the work of all those involved. |
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2/28/2020 |
Jen |
Roberton |
City of New York |
New York |
New York |
The City of New York offers the attached comments in response to the Transportation and Climate Initiative’s (“TCI”) December 17, 2019 request for public input on its draft Memorandum of... read more The City of New York offers the attached comments in response to the Transportation and Climate Initiative’s (“TCI”) December 17, 2019 request for public input on its draft Memorandum of Understanding (“draft MOU”) and initial projections of the potential economic and health benefits of a regional cap and invest program. |
TCI_Comment_Letter_NYC_Signed_2.28.2020.pdf |
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2/4/2020 |
Jennifer |
Steel |
City of Newton, Town of Wayland |
Newton |
Massachusetts |
I am not an expert, but from what I have heard from the experts about TCI, TCI represents a good and appropriately aggressive step in the right direction (one of many steps needed). We must strive... read more I am not an expert, but from what I have heard from the experts about TCI, TCI represents a good and appropriately aggressive step in the right direction (one of many steps needed). We must strive to have our economy reflect and support our ecology. Thank you. |
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