11/1/2019 |
Steve |
Patterson |
Southern States Cooperative |
Powhatan |
Virginia |
For almost 100 years, Richmond based Southern States Cooperative has been supplying Virginia farmers with multiple essential products they need to grow food and fiber for Americans – and fuel is... read more For almost 100 years, Richmond based Southern States Cooperative has been supplying Virginia farmers with multiple essential products they need to grow food and fiber for Americans – and fuel is one of the largest categories required to do so. Additionally, Southern States keeps thousands of Virginians warm each year by servicing them with propane and heating oil.
Southern States also employees over 1000 Virginians – and would like to go on record that we are strongly opposed to the "framework for a draft regional policy proposal" which seeks to expropriate the petroleum marketing industry. Over time, this plan proposes to move Virginia from simple rationing and new taxes to the ultimate prohibition of fossil fuels.
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SouthernStates Opposition to Transportation and Climate Initiative.docx |
11/3/2019 |
John |
Knight |
Southern Maine Community College |
Portland |
Maine |
It's exciting that Maine and other states are passing legislation to address pollution and climate change since there are stalls and roadblocks currently at the federal level. I am... read more It's exciting that Maine and other states are passing legislation to address pollution and climate change since there are stalls and roadblocks currently at the federal level. I am particularly interested in moving towards use of more electric cars and buses that could be powered by renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power. I'm happy that TCI is focusing on both reducing greenhouse gas emissions and helping with access to (public) transportation for underserved communities. |
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11/5/2019 |
Morgan |
Butler |
Southern Environmental Law Center |
Charlottesville |
Virginia |
Please see the attached comments from the Southern Environmental Law Center on the TCI Framework for a Draft Regional Policy Proposal. Thank you for your consideration of our comments. Please see the attached comments from the Southern Environmental Law Center on the TCI Framework for a Draft Regional Policy Proposal. Thank you for your consideration of our comments. |
2019-11-05 SELC comments on TCI Framework.pdf |
2/27/2020 |
Morgan |
Butler |
Southern Environmental Law Center |
Charlottesville |
Virginia |
Attached please find comments from the Southern Environmental Law Center on the Draft Memorandum of Understanding. Attached please find comments from the Southern Environmental Law Center on the Draft Memorandum of Understanding. |
SELC comments on TCI Draft MOU 2-27-20.pdf |
1/3/2020 |
Andrew |
Chalnick |
South Burlington Resident |
South Burlington |
Vermont |
Scientists are screaming at the top of their lungs that we are in a crisis.
A sample of recent headlines:
“Climate change: Oceans running out of oxygen as temperatures... read more Scientists are screaming at the top of their lungs that we are in a crisis.
A sample of recent headlines:
“Climate change: Oceans running out of oxygen as temperatures rise”
https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-50690995?fbclid=IwAR2Fl4Xz8w3zJXs_lN9Pk5RYzwRHZLAy6_s_E7Aqx6xjPIvrOEdkoaNTF70)
“U.N. chief warns of ‘point of no return’ on climate change”
https://www.politico.com/news/2019/12/01/climate-change-point-no-return-074610)
“In bleak report, U.N. says drastic action is only way to avoid worst effects of climate change”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2019/11/26/bleak-report-un-says-drastic-action-is-only-way-avoid-worst-impacts-climate-change/?fbclid=IwAR3uSyLx-bPcrIrc7CXYsJIiNkOATN6WV0LbqHhiegq0Z1Cjgzcg92B7waY)
“World Scientists’ Warning of a Climate Emergency”
https://academic.oup.com/bioscience/advance-article/doi/10.1093/biosci/biz088/5610806?fbclid=IwAR0VYvHA8g8GeRbrtbwsc7iqLIIeZAJxOO7Xrc8Gqe1Ahp-A7NveFHrT6Gg)
In the face of this, we must do everything possible to reduce fossil fuel use to avoid handing our children a dystopian future. Why must Vermont act when we are such a small state? Because climate change is a collective problem and collective problems can only be solved through collective action - if each small actor decides their contribution is not meaningful, no one will act.
Critical to the TCI is that it raises the price of fossil fuels for transportation - when things are more expensive people use less. There is no more efficient way to get people to use less fossil fuel and no more efficient way to transition the economy way from fossil fuels. This is the uniform conclusion of virtually every economist and every economic group, including the World Bank and the IMF. As the World Bank’s president said ”to our economists, who have been studying this for quite some time, there is an obvious consensus that putting a price on carbon pollution is by far the most powerful and efficient way to reduce emissions.”
However, key to an equitable and durable policy is to use at least some of the revenue to help the working people and the poor, especially in Vermont’s rural areas. This can be done through a targeted carbon dividend to those least able to afford increased fuel prices.
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2/28/2020 |
Marcy |
Murray |
South Burlington Energy Committee |
South Burlington |
Vermont |
As a city energy committee volunteer and concerned citizen, I urge Vermont leaders to join the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) instead of falling victim to short-term thinking.... read more As a city energy committee volunteer and concerned citizen, I urge Vermont leaders to join the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) instead of falling victim to short-term thinking. Regarding the latter, I respect those who fear any initiative that could potentially increase the daily expenses of people who are already finding it hard to make ends meet. However, if we don’t fervently harness the state government to explore opportunities--such as TCI--to address the climate crisis, people with fewer resources will be the primary victims of the resulting economic, health and safety-related suffering over the medium- to long-term timeframe.
Joining TCI will enable Vermont officials to continue to help design the program in a way that can potentially minimize the short-term effects on people with low incomes by, for example, making sure that the subsequent investments made possible by the logic-based carbon-related revenue are sound.
TCI is the single most important climate policy that Vermont can support in 2020 to help address Vermont’s largest source of climate pollution, i.e., transportation-related emissions. In addition to building upon the success of RGGI (Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative), which was joined by Republican Governor Douglas, the collaborative TCI effort would align with Governor Scott's previously stated desire of not having Vermont act alone on climate issues.
Given that Vermont’s current climate-crisis-related plans, though positive, aren’t significant enough to address the scope of the climate problem, it is crucial that Vermont participate in the next phase of TCI and work collaboratively to harness the power inherent in this regional effort.
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2/6/2020 |
Glen |
Somes |
Somes Environmental Associates |
Millersville |
Maryland |
Attempting to limit fuel sales will have a disproportionate impact on poor to low income working families and retirees on fixed inncomes. They are the ones living paycheck to paycheck with barely... read more Attempting to limit fuel sales will have a disproportionate impact on poor to low income working families and retirees on fixed inncomes. They are the ones living paycheck to paycheck with barely enough money to pay their bills. There will be very little environmental benefit from the proposed actions as India and China are building coal fired power plants throughout east Asia at a pace that will wipe out any reduction in carbon emissions resulting from the reduction in fuel consumption. Thus, this proposed program is nothing more than a "feel good" initiative that will do irreparable harm to good hard working Americans for temporary benefit at best. |
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2/18/2020 |
Lois |
Stevens |
Sodexo |
Norwich |
Connecticut |
We need better public transportation in order to get the older unsafe cars off the road .Affordable public transportation would allow those who can only afford the older junk cars to have a... read more We need better public transportation in order to get the older unsafe cars off the road .Affordable public transportation would allow those who can only afford the older junk cars to have a choice in how to get to work ,thus relieving the congestion on the roads and save lives because the older cars are less safe and cause more pollution. |
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2/24/2020 |
Carrie |
Richards |
Socialist |
Manchester |
Connecticut |
Please do not include road widening projects in the transportation bill. The focus should be on public transit and making towns more walkable and bike-able. We need to take real and meaningful... read more Please do not include road widening projects in the transportation bill. The focus should be on public transit and making towns more walkable and bike-able. We need to take real and meaningful steps to combat the climate crisis and putting more cars on the road is not a means to that end. Thank you for all your hard work on this and other issues. |
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12/21/2019 |
Allan |
Pressey |
Snowbird |
Frostproof |
Florida |
Mainers can't afford it read more Mainers can't afford it |
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12/1/2019 |
warren |
nickerson |
SMG |
cotuit |
Massachusetts |
This is outrageous. Only Ma. house of representatives can legislate a tax. Calling what is a tax is a fee, that is phony baloney. The people of Ma made clear a few years ago, WE DO NOT WANT A GAS... read more This is outrageous. Only Ma. house of representatives can legislate a tax. Calling what is a tax is a fee, that is phony baloney. The people of Ma made clear a few years ago, WE DO NOT WANT A GAS TAX. Stop trying to pick our pockets with your over the top fear mongering re: global warming/climate change. We've had climate change for thousands of years and you're trying to destroy our economy and especially hurt the poor with your stupid policies. warren nickerson |
Untitled.pdf |
2/26/2020 |
John |
Knight |
SMCC |
Portland |
Maine |
This is the perfect opportunity to upgrade transportation options on the east coast while also reducing emissions. As a teacher at a community college in Maine where many students have to commute... read more This is the perfect opportunity to upgrade transportation options on the east coast while also reducing emissions. As a teacher at a community college in Maine where many students have to commute, I see that more public transport is needed. Improving these systems can help students' mobility while addressing climate change at the same time. |
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12/23/2019 |
Mark |
Tetreault |
Smart People |
Providence |
Rhode Island |
Apparently the politicians need a new means to fund the general fund since the 911 funds have been exposed. Apparently the politicians need a new means to fund the general fund since the 911 funds have been exposed. |
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12/14/2019 |
Melanie |
LaRocca |
Small Paws Dog Daycare & Resort |
North Reading |
Massachusetts |
The TCI tax needs to go before the legislature for a vote. If Governor Baker by passes the system and just imposes a gasoline tax, he is acting as an autocrat. Please save Massachusetts from... read more The TCI tax needs to go before the legislature for a vote. If Governor Baker by passes the system and just imposes a gasoline tax, he is acting as an autocrat. Please save Massachusetts from turning into a Trump-style form of government. Stop the TCI from this undemocratic taxation. |
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10/25/2019 |
Sarah |
Brown |
small business owner in Maine |
Kittery |
Maine |
The TCI is very important for this state. Maine should use TCI as an opportunity to invest in local transportation solutions that help Maine people get to where they need to go in an affordable... read more The TCI is very important for this state. Maine should use TCI as an opportunity to invest in local transportation solutions that help Maine people get to where they need to go in an affordable way that’s good for our environment. Mainers deserve creative new choices and new investments to meet our transportation needs; the one thing we know is that pouring pollution into the atmosphere and sending our hard-earned money out of state for the oil that causes that pollution are NOT the way forward. Maine needs an ambitious plan to reduce climate-changing transportation pollution,. Working together with neighboring states makes sense.
The economic benefits could be profound. Maine can see significant economic, health, and environmental benefits by transitioning to cleaner and more efficient transportation options through adoption of TCI. We must address climate change now with workable solutions. TCI is one of them!
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11/3/2019 |
David |
Iveeson |
Small Business Owner |
Dexter |
Maine |
Any state or federal mandated permitting fee's or government interference in commerce would negatively impaft my small business, through increased petroleum costs for my shop vehicle and an... read more Any state or federal mandated permitting fee's or government interference in commerce would negatively impaft my small business, through increased petroleum costs for my shop vehicle and an increase in shipping costs passed on to my business from UPS, FedEx and USPS. Please remove yourself from national politics Gov Mills, you are the governor of Maine, not a regional consortium. |
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11/5/2019 |
Shafqat |
Sahi |
small business owner |
Elicott City |
Maryland |
I am deeply and gravely concerned over this petition. By limiting the amount people will drive you are affecting an entire industry and workforce on the available cars to work on after the... read more I am deeply and gravely concerned over this petition. By limiting the amount people will drive you are affecting an entire industry and workforce on the available cars to work on after the industry has already sustained raising workforce costs. We as an industry cannot sustain being attacked on both angles by our own government who is supposed to help foster small business instead of kill it. I voted for a Republican Governor in my state to help protect me from these issues. |
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11/16/2019 |
Chantal |
Hall |
Small business owner |
Brockton |
Massachusetts |
Massachusetts has been raising taxes with impunity and without any accountability every year. Your crippling taxes and restrictive policies do nothing to help reduce carbon emissions. This isn’t... read more Massachusetts has been raising taxes with impunity and without any accountability every year. Your crippling taxes and restrictive policies do nothing to help reduce carbon emissions. This isn’t fair to the working people of Massachusetts or the businesses that give them jobs. If you want to reduce carbon emissions work on improving the commuter rails and other public transportation. How many tax raises were supposed to do that? Please stop extorting taxes. You are killing jobs! |
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2/24/2020 |
charles |
goedken |
Small Business |
Harrisburg |
Pennsylvania |
Support sustainability regarding the environment and support equality economically. Support sustainability regarding the environment and support equality economically. |
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1/16/2020 |
Nathaniel |
Gould |
Slocum Dickson Medical Group |
New Hartford |
New York |
Climate change is in my opinion the number one threat to mankind in the next few centuries. We need to get off fossil fuels, and quickly. Clean public transportation with high speed rail,... read more Climate change is in my opinion the number one threat to mankind in the next few centuries. We need to get off fossil fuels, and quickly. Clean public transportation with high speed rail, electric buses, and electric vehicles for the more rural areas is the answer. |
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