TCI Regional Policy Design Stakeholder Submissions

Look at CA and their gas prices. The average today is a little over $4/gal. Here in ME, it's around $2.50/gal. We are a poor state in comparison with an elderly, retired population on fixed incomes. Implementing policies that simply increase our energy costs is just wrong.

Please do not follow thru with this. Maine people often have to drive long distances to get to work, and we are barely surviving now. Paying more for gas means less money for groceries

Yes, please do develop low carbon emission transportation systems for the state of Maine. Not only does our transportation system contribute to climate degradation in our state, but it is also set up to exclude the most vulnerable citizens: the poor, the elderly, the disabled and the sick. Elders are isolated and access to healthcare is limited for anyone without a car or truck. Depending on outside contractors, such as Uber and Lyft, will exacerbate the carbon emissions problem and do little to address the needs of more remote citizens. Even in a little city like Waterville, where I live, the population is hardly big enough to make cabbing a viable occupation. Everybody loses in the current system. I wholeheartedly endorse accessible, low carbon, affordable transportation systems in Maine. It will serve businesses and individuals alike, and it's the right thing to do. The future is moving away from fossil fuels. Let's not get any more behind the curve than we already are.

Citizens of Maine are not interested in your tax and control policies which will raise our costs of living and damage our economy. I urge those leaders in the state of Maine to not participate in this initiative that will do nothing but harm us!

This new proposed gas tax or 'fee' will have a significant cost impact to the people of Maine without a reasonable return. This life-long (so far) Mainer recommends no to this regressive tax.

I FIND THIS A TERRIBLE IDEA AND I WOULD LIKE ALL LEGISLATORS TO STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS HORRIBLE LEGISLATION. IF YOU WANT TO RAISE THE GAS TAX THEN HAVE THE LEGISLATURE VOTE ON IT IN PUBLIC SO ALL CITIZENS KNOW WHO VOTED TO RAISE THE GAS TAX.

First of all, I want to thank Governor Lamont for his part in this initiative. His leadership is so important to achieving a significant reduction in greenhouse gases in our region. With transportation in the state contributing nearly 40% of these climate endangering emissions, we need to make a commitment to regional planning. Greenhouse gases and air pollution do not take much notice of political boundaries. We need to make our cities more livable, especially for those low income residents who don't have the luxury of moving out to the suburbs to escape polluted air and often have to rely on spotty and inadequate public transportation services to get to work and take care of ordinary chores. Electric vehicles are becoming more common, but we need to increase their use by both the public and by state government, and we need to make sure the infrastructure is there to encourage their adoption by putting charging stations in convenient locations at libraries and government parking areas and ensuring that renters and condo owners also have access to them. We should encourage ev sharing ventures in communities where owning a car is prohibitive. We should shoot high, adopt an ambitious goal with across the board examination of every aspect of transportation to make significant progress. Such progress will not only cut our greenhouse gas emissions but bring improvements in the health of our cities' residents.

I just had hand surgery so I cannot write a long letter but I am deeply concerned about pollution both in our air and our waterways and would like the following to be in both improved and considered for all new initiatives

reducing pollution from transportation is a key component to reducing New Jersey's emissions

public transit investments that could be made with TCI proceeds would be valuable

leaders please choose the aggressive greenhouse gas reduction target that the most recent climate science tells us we need
I urge that the policy prioritizes clean investments in areas overburdened by pollution and/or for those who don’t have access to transportation choices

As a Gaithersburg resident who is extremely concerned about the climate crisis, I commend my home state of Maryland and all of the TCI states for making plans to create a badly needed low-carbon transportation plan. I strongly urge you to follow these guiding principles:

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

Thank you for your commitment to reducing carbon emissions related to transportation. Our lives are in your hands--the American people expect and urgently need your plans to successfully design and implement a policy that will help avoid the coming climate catastrophe before it's too late to prevent millions of deaths caused by global warming.