TCI Regional Policy Design Stakeholder Submissions

Clean Transportation Can Protect Our Environment and Grow Our Economy
HIGHLIGHTS
The Northeast has helped lead the nation
in reducing pollution from electricity.
Now the largest source of pollution in the
region comes from transportation. We
can create a better, cleaner transportation
system for Northeast residents through
investments in public transportation and
new technologies such as electric vehicles.
An important step forward would be for the
Northeast region to set an overall limit
on pollution from transportation through
a regional “cap-and-invest” program,
similar to the program the region
implemented for electricity-related
emissions. This program would begin to
hold oil companies accountable for their
emissions and provide funding for clean
mobility for Northeast residents.
Over the past decade, the Northeast region of the United States has helped lead
the country—and the world—in supporting and developing clean, renewable
sources of electricity. Taken together, the policies of Northeast states, from Maine
to Maryland, have generated billions of dollars in investment for solar, wind, and
efficiency. One driving force behind this investment is a regional initiative that
caps emissions from the electricity sector, charges power plants for the emissions
they generate, and invests the revenue from those fees into efficiency and clean
energy programs. This initiative has helped fundamentally change the region’s
electricity sector: we have achieved unprecedented penetration of renewables,
nearly eliminated the use of coal, and reduced overall electricity use at a time of
economic expansion.
The next big step for the region is to bring that same sense of commitment,
ingenuity, and purpose to clean transportation.
Transportation is the largest source of pollution in the Northeast region,
comprising more than 40 percent of total regional global warming emissions
(Georgetown Climate Center 2015). In addition to the health impacts associated
with rising temperatures, soot and ground-level ozone from the region’s cars
and trucks are responsible for more than 50,000 asthma attacks, 1,000 deaths,
and other pollution-related illnesses that incur approximately $27 billion in total
health care costs every year (Holmes-Gen and Barrett 2016). The health impacts
of transportation affect all of us, but especially vulnerable are children, the elderly,
the chronically ill, and people in low-income communities (who often live in or
near freight corridors).

This is without a doubt a regressive tax. Not only will poorer taxpayers bear the pain in the gas purchase, but every item purchased will also increase because of the added cost of transporting the item. The best way to fight environmental issues is to allow the free innovation of a free market. As long as there is a desire for change, there will be brilliant people finding the answers. The government should not be hurting the poorest taxpayers. Please don't do this!

This mandate will affect my business. this is how we make ends meets. In the past decade, we have seen gas sales drop drastically as car became more efficient and with the introduction of electric cars. we understand that this is part of the innovation in life. However, which we don't understand, is the Government trying to impose more restrictions and taxes on our industry as if it is waging a war against it. A free economy will always find the best way in the most effective manner on its own. once you start trying to force it one way or another it will cause more harm than good. Please don't pass this mandate and let the free economy do its thing.

1. Eliminate pick-up trucks from entering cities as a way to commute.
2. Strictly enforce "no idling" laws.
3. Car manufacturers need to be held accountable for product vehicles that significantly increase CO2 emissions and other particles. This is a moral issue.
4. Increase taxes on pick-up trucks and SUV's. Taxing EV's is the approach.
5. Decrease subsidies to fossil fuel companies - increase incentives for EVs
6. Eliminate tax breaks for the manufacture pick-up trucks and EVs.
7. Create parking hubs for commuters - created ZEV vehicles to provide transportation to the various locations in cities.

I support TCI because Connecticut’s transportation sector is the biggest single emitter of greenhouse gas emissions in the state at 38% of the total. This is a climate crisis, and we must immediately work to address the greatest challenge of our generation.

Connecticut needs to improve its transporation system. Rather than "more of the same", there should be emphasis on cleaner alternatives. Use of fossil fuels must plummet if we are to prevent the worst effects of global warming.

We need more charging stations if electric autos are ever to become mainstream. We need electric school buses and city buses to clean up the air our citizens breath every day and reduce noise in our communities. We need better rapid transit if we're ever going to reduce the traffic in bigger cities and help their centers thrive and prosper. It's especially important for our children's health now and as adults.

We should look at electrifying most or all rail lines. Again, it would mean cleaner air and quieter trains. Another big benefit is the electricity can come from green sources, as quickly as they can be brought online. Trains powered by electricity are the norm in Europe and Japan, and there were many here in the US about a century ago, for example in the northern Rockies. We made a poor choice when we switched to diesels, although it seemed to make economic sense at the time.

Thank you for your consideration.

We need TCI in CT! It will re-invest funds to help out rural communities as well as urban communities.