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12/11/2019 |
Michael |
Franchini |
CAPITAL DISTRICT TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE |
ALBANY |
New York |
The New York State Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations (NYSAMPO) is a consortium of the Executive Directors of fourteen Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) in New York State... read more The New York State Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations (NYSAMPO) is a consortium of the Executive Directors of fourteen Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) in New York State who work together toward best practices and common goals. The Directors lead a diverse group of organizations that represent very large, urban regions like the New York City metropolitan area as well as small metropolitan regions such as Ithaca and Elmira. Regardless of size and complexity, the Directors understand the value of working together to help their organizations provide high quality transportation planning support to their member agencies and to the public throughout the State.
The NYSAMPO Directors have determined that the overall goals of the Transportation & Climate Initiative’s (TCI) low carbon transportation policy proposal are consistent with the strategic goals and planning programs of the NYSAMPO MPOs, as represented in their long-range regional transportation plans and the projects, programs and studies that are funded through their planning processes. The NYSAMPO Directors applaud New York State for its leadership in the effort to establish the TCI. NYSAMPO MPO staff has attended and participated in listening sessions throughout New York State and the Directors appreciate the opportunity to offer the following comment on the design of the proposed program.
Equity
As organizations which plan for the use of transportation funding authorized by Congress, MPOs must comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which prohibits discrimination based upon race, color, and national origin. The NYSAMPO MPOs are committed to ensuring traditionally underserved and underrepresented communities receive a fair share of the regional transportation system’s benefits and are not subject to undue burdens. MPOs maintain information and data related to the locations of protected populations within each metropolitan area in order to comply with Title VI and the Executive Order on Environmental Justice. MPOs consider transportation barriers and needs within these communities. The TCI’s community outreach and project planning related to the investment of cap-and-invest proceeds should be coordinated with the NYSAMPO MPOs to ensure consistency with their equity efforts related to Title VI.
Mobile Source Emissions
Reducing emissions from transportation is a common strategic theme in the NYSAMPO MPOs’ regional transportation plans. Additionally, several of the NYSAMPO MPOs must comply with requirements under the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 as they develop their plans and programs. More recently, federal transportation legislation establishes performance measures for on-road mobile source emissions, which require that emission reduction targets be established for the ozone precursors nitrogen oxides (NOX) and volatile organic compounds (VOC). Targets are also required for carbon monoxide (CO) and particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5).
Table 1. NYS On-Road Mobile Source Emissions Targets
Target Year VOC (KG) CO (KG) NOX (KG) PM10 (KG) PM10 (KG)
2020 22,979 437,781 58,591 9,312 3,920
2022 42,765 839,633 107,713 18,132 7,482
Proposed caps to emissions from gasoline, on-road diesel fuel, and potential biofuels, should meet or exceed these agreed upon targets to help states New York State meet its goals.
Investment of Proceeds
Transportation improvements proposed through the TCI should be coordinated with the NYSAMPO MPOs to achieve emission reductions and other policy goals within the long-range regional transportation plans. This coordination will maximize the efficiency and leverage investment in the transportation system which will ensure greater benefits to users. It is important that revenues generated by the initiative be used to advance active transportation, public transit, cleaner vehicles, and other activities that have large-scale positive impacts on environmental quality and public health through the reduction of GHG emissions. The NYSAMPO MPOs regularly use analytical and policy tools that assist in the prioritization of transportation projects for federal funding which could be modeled for determining how cap-and-invest proceeds are invested.
Complementary Policies
Coordination with the NYSAMPO MPOs will support the goals of the low carbon transportation system framework as each organization works within metropolitan areas of New York State to develop and implement complementary policies in long-range regional transportation plans. MPOs can supplement the work of TCI by assisting municipalities within the metropolitan areas with coordinating infrastructure planning and land use planning that supports reducing emissions. For more information on NYSAMPO please visit our website at https://www.nysmpos.org/ or contact Michael Franchini at (518)458-2161 with any questions. We look forward to working with TCI and NYS in planning for a low carbon future.
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CDTC_TCI_comments.pdf |
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2/18/2020 |
Susan |
Starkey |
Cape Cod Climate Change Collaborative |
Yarmouth Port |
Massachusetts |
Our Commonwealth can lead the way forward on Transportation, thanks to the plan Governor Baker would like to put into effect. If we can’t dramatically reduce the amount of pollution from our... read more Our Commonwealth can lead the way forward on Transportation, thanks to the plan Governor Baker would like to put into effect. If we can’t dramatically reduce the amount of pollution from our transportation industry, we will be in even worse shape regarding Climate Change. Please take the need to dramatically reduce CO2 levels seriously and use this initiative to get us to Net Zero in the Transportation Sector by 2030. Please prioritize our State’s “environmental justice” neighborhoods because with this issue, as usual, those contributing the least to the problem are impacted the most- in this case, we need public transportation that is clean and renewable. |
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2/21/2020 |
Barb |
Lambdin |
Cape Cod Climate Change Collaborative |
S. Dennis |
Massachusetts |
There is no single thing we can do to stop climate change, but if we do many things we can slow it. Please do anything, no- EVERYTHING, you can to slow the impending disasters. There is no single thing we can do to stop climate change, but if we do many things we can slow it. Please do anything, no- EVERYTHING, you can to slow the impending disasters. |
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2/12/2020 |
George |
Oleyer |
Cape & Islands Climate Emergency Initiative, 350 Cape Cod etc |
South Yarmouth |
Massachusetts |
Fantastic initiative but kindly bear in mind the timeline be efficient well within 10 years as much as possible given the cascade effect most scientists anticipate at that point. Fantastic initiative but kindly bear in mind the timeline be efficient well within 10 years as much as possible given the cascade effect most scientists anticipate at that point. |
Climate Emergency Declaration Resolution.pdf |
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11/2/2019 |
BRIAN |
ROBINSON |
Camden Energy Committee |
Camden |
Maine |
Maine’s largest source of climate pollution is our antiquated mid-20th centrury transportation system. It is inefficient and inadequately meets the needs of Maine people.
Maine people... read more Maine’s largest source of climate pollution is our antiquated mid-20th centrury transportation system. It is inefficient and inadequately meets the needs of Maine people.
Maine people deserve clean, modern, affordable transportation options that deliver economic, health, and climate benefits to local communities.
It makes sense for Maine to work with neighboring states through TCI’s bipartisan, proven policy model. |
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2/21/2020 |
Mary |
Hubbard |
Cambridge Health Alliance |
North Falmouth |
Massachusetts |
Clean mass transit is vital for the transition to a cleaner stable future. Right now fossil fuels contribute to catastrophic levels of planetary warming. Public health is likewise negatively... read more Clean mass transit is vital for the transition to a cleaner stable future. Right now fossil fuels contribute to catastrophic levels of planetary warming. Public health is likewise negatively impacted by waste from burning fossil fuels, disproportionately affecting lower income families with higher rates of lung and heart disease and cancers. We must begin the switch immediately. |
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12/10/2019 |
Benjamin |
Mandel |
CALSTART |
Brooklyn |
New York |
Following the release on October 1 of the Framework for a Draft Regional Policy Proposal, and ahead of the release of a multi-state draft memorandum of understanding (MOU) to advance the policy... read more Following the release on October 1 of the Framework for a Draft Regional Policy Proposal, and ahead of the release of a multi-state draft memorandum of understanding (MOU) to advance the policy design process, our coalition of vehicle manufacturers, fuel providers, and industry groups wishes to express our support for the development and implementation of a coordinated regional cap-and-invest program to hasten an equitable transition toward a cleaner transportation economy and healthier communities throughout the region. Please find our full comments on the Framework attached. |
TCI Policy Framework_Coalition Support Letter_December2019.pdf |
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2/29/2020 |
R |
Sahota |
California Air Resources Board |
Sacramento |
California |
Letter of Support, Chair Mary Nichols, California Air Resources Board Letter of Support, Chair Mary Nichols, California Air Resources Board |
TCI_Letter_of_Support_CARB-merged.pdf |
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2/28/2020 |
Gretchen |
Feeser |
Caledonia County |
Groton |
Vermont |
Two recent experiences that solidified my regard for public transportation:
In the Netherlands well maintained, clean public buses are valued above bicycles, pedestrians, and, most... read more Two recent experiences that solidified my regard for public transportation:
In the Netherlands well maintained, clean public buses are valued above bicycles, pedestrians, and, most importantly, cars, so much so that they control traffic lights by pressing a button on the dashboard! This system makes using buses desirable for their reliability, efficiency, economy, and climate sensitivity. Impressive!
I live in a rural, isolated setting and would need transportation home after an outpatient procedure, for example. Since here in the USA we lack deserved regard for pervasive public transportation, nothing exists to accommodate my needs let alone any national sentiment that invites and supports all economic classes to see the vitality of public transportation as an obviously convenient, obviously responsible, and obviously ecologically sound commodity. I personally have cancelled or missed medical needs and job related demands. Let's invest already!
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12/20/2019 |
Paul |
MacDONALD |
Bwsc |
Roslindale |
Massachusetts |
I don't believe in the TCI, its another scam to steal the taxpayers money .I AM AGAINST THIS!!! read more I don't believe in the TCI, its another scam to steal the taxpayers money .I AM AGAINST THIS!!! |
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10/24/2019 |
Muhammad |
Ishtiaq |
Businessman |
Silver spring |
Maryland |
It is very important to reduce emission. Government should work with large corporations to find ways and innovate new technology within the existing products. But govt. must not negatively effect... read more It is very important to reduce emission. Government should work with large corporations to find ways and innovate new technology within the existing products. But govt. must not negatively effect the small & medium size businesses by cutting down the gas consumption.
Thanks |
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10/25/2019 |
Kenneth |
Copp |
Businessman |
Thorndike |
Maine |
Since we know that 54% of carbon emission in Maine come from the transportation sector alone, this is reason enough to take immediate action to replace all combustion engine vehicles, both... read more Since we know that 54% of carbon emission in Maine come from the transportation sector alone, this is reason enough to take immediate action to replace all combustion engine vehicles, both commercial and private with clean and far more efficient all-electric versions as well as to build out the charging infrastructure to allow for seamless transportation that minimizes the transition from the convenience of time that we have enjoyed with the proliferation of fueling stations for internal combustion engines for so many years. We CAN do this! Without it, it will not be very convincing or compelling to the general populace for the rapid transformation of our means of transportation to a cleaner and brighter future. |
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2/24/2020 |
Sarah |
Brown |
Business owner, parent, Maine resident |
Kittery |
Maine |
Maine must support clean transportation to combat climate change and make it easier and cheaper to get around. We can not continue to allow the entrenched fossil fuel industry to literally drive... read more Maine must support clean transportation to combat climate change and make it easier and cheaper to get around. We can not continue to allow the entrenched fossil fuel industry to literally drive us over a cliff that means more pollution, more carbon emissions and missed economic development opportunities. Our family of five fully supports the multi-state Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI)!
Pollution from old cars and trucks is our largest source of pollution, and as a rural state we have our fair share of transportation problems. Mainers deserve solutions that get us safely to work, to stores and appointments, and to our favorite outdoor places—solutions that are affordable, reliable, and reduce air pollution. The technology and know-how exists to get us there; the only thing stopping us is deaf politicians that continue to protect industry over citizens.
TCI will bring significant economic, environmental, and health benefits to Maine, providing hundreds of millions of dollars for local communities in economic growth and health benefits. The TCI keeps investment in our state and revitalizes our transportation sector which in turn will improve business and the tourism economy. TCI is just what we need right now. When federal leadership is non-existent we must lead locally and regionally. Please support, fund and encourage TCI. |
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10/28/2019 |
douglas |
whitmoyer |
business owner |
TURBOTVILLE |
Pennsylvania |
as a owner of new emission truck that has already cost me 25000.00 dollar in repairs in the first 65000 miles the regulation is just going to increase my cost that i will pass along to the end... read more as a owner of new emission truck that has already cost me 25000.00 dollar in repairs in the first 65000 miles the regulation is just going to increase my cost that i will pass along to the end user of my product . |
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1/30/2020 |
Jim |
Durda |
Business owner |
ASHAWAY |
Rhode Island |
This proposed initiative if enacted will place a burden on my business of which we rely on gas and diesel to do our work. We need to go to people's homes and businesses to do our work.The... read more This proposed initiative if enacted will place a burden on my business of which we rely on gas and diesel to do our work. We need to go to people's homes and businesses to do our work.The cost of doing business in Rhode Island is already an issue for business and this will add to it. We would be forced to raise our rates to cover the added expense and that will put our service out of reach to most people and we will not be able to hire and might have to downsize. |
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2/11/2020 |
Michael |
Gould |
Business owner |
Middleboro |
Massachusetts |
I wish all stupid the south shore and need a large vehicle to get tools and equipment to job sites. I don't work hear a commuter rail. I can't bring ladders and tool in the train. Please... read more I wish all stupid the south shore and need a large vehicle to get tools and equipment to job sites. I don't work hear a commuter rail. I can't bring ladders and tool in the train. Please didn't
Don't increase the gas tax. Make out easier to build net zero homes |
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1/23/2020 |
Sherman |
Homan |
Business |
Wayland |
Massachusetts |
The TCI is just another tax, added to the ridiculous tax burden that we are already under. It won't help carbon emissions or clean air, it will just make life more difficult for working... read more The TCI is just another tax, added to the ridiculous tax burden that we are already under. It won't help carbon emissions or clean air, it will just make life more difficult for working people. It is time for a good 10% cut across the the state goverment. |
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2/4/2020 |
Sophia |
Donforth |
Burlington, VT resident |
Burlington |
Vermont |
My family has only one car (a hybrid) and uses it relatively infrequently as we can walk, bike or bus most places in town. We would get rid of our vehicle altogether if it were possible to get... read more My family has only one car (a hybrid) and uses it relatively infrequently as we can walk, bike or bus most places in town. We would get rid of our vehicle altogether if it were possible to get bus or train service to various places in roughly 5 hrs driving distance (Portland, ME or Western Mass, for example). Currently our only public transit options depart Burlington at 3am (Greyhound) or 4pm (Megabus), both of which are disruptive to travel plans with small children. Our inability to get to and from other cities within Vermont (except by the commuter buses, which run so infrequently that they are not useful for errand running or partial day outings) is another factor. I would love to see the region develop a more robust public transit system between towns, preferably at hours that are convenient not just for those working a 9-5 job, but to accomodate tourists and traveling families. |
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2/26/2020 |
Mark |
Benton |
Burlington 350 node member |
Lincoln |
Vermont |
In keeping with other long-term initiatives like “Ready for 100% by 2030”, we must keep the pressure on by making sure each and every one of these new initiatives towards a renewable future sees... read more In keeping with other long-term initiatives like “Ready for 100% by 2030”, we must keep the pressure on by making sure each and every one of these new initiatives towards a renewable future sees the light of day. |
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2/13/2020 |
Mike |
Clarcq |
Burgundy Basin |
Fairport |
New York |
As a small business owner, I think that TCI is a great idea. In my community, we've seen increasing storms in the past few years that have harmed my business. We've had to cancel many of... read more As a small business owner, I think that TCI is a great idea. In my community, we've seen increasing storms in the past few years that have harmed my business. We've had to cancel many of our events due to these storms, and because our building is older, its been really hard to keep up with building updates.
I care a lot about the environment, and I think that joining TCI would be a great move to help us mitigate some of the worst effects. As someone who lives in an area where we have to drive everywhere, I think it would be great to have the funds from TCI to reinvest in electric vehicle infrastructure. At the moment, I can't really afford an electric car, but with subsidies from TCI this could be possible. Even if this increasing gas prices in the short term, I'm okay with paying for those if in the long term we are not only saving money on vehicle costs, but are also saving our community's environment.
I think TCI is really needed right now, and I fully support this initiative. |
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