1/16/2020 |
Carolyn |
Steglich |
Slippery Rock University |
Harrisville |
Pennsylvania |
It is vital that our transportation policies reflect the reality of our world. The transportation sector is a major contributor to climate change and to air pollution. There have been many days... read more It is vital that our transportation policies reflect the reality of our world. The transportation sector is a major contributor to climate change and to air pollution. There have been many days in southwestern Pennsylvania in the past few weeks with air quality alerts, and vehicles are a significant contributor to that problem. We owe it to our residents in Pennsylvania to solve these problems by taking action on transportation infrastructure and on transportation policies. I, for instance, intend my next vehicle to be a plug-in electric car (I currently drive a hybrid). But, I do worry about the infrastructure that would make that choice easier. Charging stations are few and far between in Pennsylvania. Long distance travel is a problem! I have solar panels on my house, but the electric grid generally in Pennsylvania needs to move faster toward renewable sources and away from fossil fuel generation of electricity so that charging an electric vehicle truly is a environmentally better choice no matter where it is charged. And finally, we need to move away from fuel taxes as the major source of funds for the transportation sector. As electric vehicles become more common (and they will!), revenues from other sources will be needed to support our transportation system. Let's move forward with intention by planning for a new, clean transportation system in Pennsylvania. |
- |
1/16/2020 |
Pat |
Mensing |
Sisters of St. Joseph |
Plymouth Meeting |
Pennsylvania |
We must not delay in implementing clean energy wherever we can in order to save the planet while there is still time. We must not delay in implementing clean energy wherever we can in order to save the planet while there is still time. |
- |
2/24/2020 |
Frances |
Boyle |
Sisters of Mercy of the Americas |
Merion Station |
Pennsylvania |
In our Urban and Suburban centers there are too many cars and too much pollution. I taught high school students in Philadelphia who had to have their inhalers with them. I volunteer in an ER in... read more In our Urban and Suburban centers there are too many cars and too much pollution. I taught high school students in Philadelphia who had to have their inhalers with them. I volunteer in an ER in Norristown where patients of all ages have breathing difficulties and need breathing treatments. We need to continue to work on lowering smoking, but we also need to make public transportation affordable and convenient. Lowering the levels of CO2 in the air will make breathing easier for all and lower the number of rage-related incidents in traffic-jammed streets. The climate will be closer to the old normal. Seas will stop swallowing shores. We will have more time to relax and enjoy life. |
- |
10/30/2019 |
Sr Jackie |
Moreau |
Sister of Mercy Justice Network |
Portland |
Maine |
I am aware that much pollution comes from transport. We are a rural state with a coastline that will be impacted by sea level rise
Thank you for working together for the good of... read more I am aware that much pollution comes from transport. We are a rural state with a coastline that will be impacted by sea level rise
Thank you for working together for the good of people and wildlife.
We need to decrease car usage/ownership. Increase ride sharing.
Support electric vehicles in urban areas.
We need to increase population density in urban areas; have more small businesses in neighborhoods; have electric buses.
Can we work toward schedules that would allow more ride sharing or public transport?
|
- |
12/6/2019 |
Peter |
Yungbluth |
Sierra Club; Talbot County Democratic Forum |
Easton |
Maryland |
Our aim should be to have 3% of Maryland vehicles be electric (with the power to run them be 100% renewable) by the end of 2020, and grow that to 6% in 2021, etc., so that by 2050 we are 100% non-... read more Our aim should be to have 3% of Maryland vehicles be electric (with the power to run them be 100% renewable) by the end of 2020, and grow that to 6% in 2021, etc., so that by 2050 we are 100% non-fossil fuel vehicles. This transition will be voluntary but driven by putting a realistic price on the true social cost of burning carbon fuels. We cannot afford to wait for a last-minute awakening or technological breakthrough in the year 2049, we must advance now with what is currently available, trusting that this will spur the future necessary advances.
Therefore, I urge you to put in place sufficient incentives to get the 3% buy-in needed for next year. The cap-and-invest fee rate for 2020 should be gauged so that it provides the funding for this incentive. The 2021 fee should then be set to adequately fund the incentive needed to reach 6% clean vehicles by end of 2021, etc. We need to treat climate change like cancer (an implacable enemy) and not expect it to go away on its own.
This is not a pipe dream. We made our house energy-efficient, so our solar panels run the entire house (heat, AC, well, hot water, cooking) PLUS enough surplus electricity for 20,000 miles of driving in our electric car. AND we are saving money in the long run.
Two things discourage the average homeowner from taking this plunge: reluctance to go into short-term debt for promised long-term gain, and seeing the transition as too complex. Other than the scarcity of public EV charging (which is RAPIDLY improving), we found it a surprisingly comfortable transition. Please consider offering more than just financial incentive; streamlining and normalizing the process and offering guarantees/insurance will go a long way toward pulling in the crucial early adopters.
Thanks for listening. Peter Yungbluth |
- |
6/22/2020 |
Judith |
Hinch |
Sierra Club, League of Women Voters VA, |
Chesapeake |
Virginia |
Thank you Virginia for joining and working on this. The convergence of three revolutions will be important to encourage in the right direction- ride sharing/bike/car sharing; AVs and EVs. Shuttles... read more Thank you Virginia for joining and working on this. The convergence of three revolutions will be important to encourage in the right direction- ride sharing/bike/car sharing; AVs and EVs. Shuttles/multi-occupancy vehicles that are electric (with an electric grid that is low-carbon) but don't forget autonomous vehicles. Our transit company, Hampton Roads Transit, has trouble finding and keeping drivers, so is keeping an eye on AV technology, as are a lot of other heavy hitters, and the state of Michigan. Michigan is providing grant $ to address mobility and fund solutions (PlanetM.com). This plan will help small businesses with economic recovery post-covid and address the challenges of mobility in a more sustainable way. Grand Rapids has an autonomous vehicle initiative, with a shuttle fleet of AVs from a public-private partnership. Even the little city of Crozet VA I heard has an AV shuttle, made right here in this state. |
- |
2/25/2020 |
Jane |
Gibbons |
Sierra Club, Citizens Climate Lobby |
Sweden |
Maine |
Rural Maine is ill-served by public transportation. We have an all-electric car and need more widely spread charging stations. The roads are poorly constructed for bicycle use. There is little... read more Rural Maine is ill-served by public transportation. We have an all-electric car and need more widely spread charging stations. The roads are poorly constructed for bicycle use. There is little bus or train service to small towns from Portland or the Boston area and what is available is so limited that it does not coordinate with air schedules. Climate change is our world's number one problem. We need to address the issues now! |
- |
2/21/2020 |
Joe |
Tonini |
Sierra Club volunteer |
Mineola |
New York |
I am a grandfather of five and am terrified that they will have a diminished future because of our lack of action today to minimize the negative impact of climate change.
The... read more I am a grandfather of five and am terrified that they will have a diminished future because of our lack of action today to minimize the negative impact of climate change.
The Transportation and Climate Initiative is a step in the right direction. Inaction is not a responsible option. Planting one trillion trees and investing in R &D for carbon capture are totally inadequate to meeting the extent of our climate emergency.
The “patient” is life on earth as we know it, and the patient needs emergency surgery, not bandaids.
Thank you |
- |
5/29/2019 |
Karl |
Kemnitzer |
Sierra Club Vermont chapter |
Hartland |
Vermont |
You are doing good work on the modeling, thanks! I have misgivings about one particular section- 8% growth in VMT per decade, and would ask you to review that part better. The citation ("... read more You are doing good work on the modeling, thanks! I have misgivings about one particular section- 8% growth in VMT per decade, and would ask you to review that part better. The citation ("state predictions") was pretty vague. Most reading I've seen report that VMT needs to decrease, via walk/bike/bus/rail or density, and surely some TCI returns will be spent on making this happen (much like your concerns for state EV incentives and ZEV mandates being a feed back loop affecting fleet makeup). You should probably include a mechanism for higher share prices to offset lower VMT to maintain level funding for state programs. |
- |
2/10/2020 |
Sara |
Schultz |
Sierra Club Niagara Group |
Williamsville |
New York |
It is imperative, in order to reduce GHGs 40% by 2030, that we transition to EVs and BEBs as well as expand light rail and improve our public transportation systems. New car buyers need to be... read more It is imperative, in order to reduce GHGs 40% by 2030, that we transition to EVs and BEBs as well as expand light rail and improve our public transportation systems. New car buyers need to be incentivized to buy electric. We need to continue the NY State rebates as well as pass legislation to have the first $30K of the EV purchase be tax free. We need to move more quickly on the infrastructure of fast chargers along all of our highways. This would encourage those who still have range anxiety that q quick charge is available everywhere across the state. Expanding light rail in NYs larger cities will take many cars off the road, reduce commute time and bring economic development along it's corridors. We need to provide more grants for our transit authorities to transition to BEBs as well as our school systems. This is an environmental justice issue as well as a way to improve our air quality. Since the transportation sector generates up to 40% of all GHGs in NY State with over 60% coming from light passenger vehicles improving accessibility and reliability in our public transit systems is of utmost importance in the equation. Buffalo residents without cars have long waiting periods between buses, sometimes dangerous stops due to snow pile up and not enough routes for outer city jobs. These are all ways to improve transportation while addressing goals to reduce GHGs. |
- |
11/2/2019 |
Kenyon |
Karl |
Sierra Club NH Transportation Action Team |
Saco |
Maine |
Full Disclosure: I am a rail and transit advocate for the Sierra Club - and also a member of the New England Electric Railway Historical Society (aka Seashore Trolley Museum).
As an... read more Full Disclosure: I am a rail and transit advocate for the Sierra Club - and also a member of the New England Electric Railway Historical Society (aka Seashore Trolley Museum).
As an active member of the Seashore Trolley Museum, my volunteer work constantly reminds me of the long forgotten role of light electric railways in the history of both Maine and New Hampshire. But equally important is that our museum also has examples of the high speed interurbans that i was ale to ride out of Chicago in my youth, and even numerous cars from other parts of the Midwest that i was never able to ride.
The whole pint of this submission is to remind the TCI initiative that the more populated rural and exurban areas of New England had public transportation options before the 1950's when automobile ownership became commonplace. And even into the 1970's, both the conventional railroads and intercity bus lines provided an equally lng forgotten transportation service to rural communities.
As a member of the Sierra Club, our focus must be on finding ways to sharply reduce carbon emissions from the transportation sector, which means in great part finding various means to sharpy reduce the number of private automobiles that are used almost daily for commuting to work and similar purposes. |
- |
1/16/2020 |
Susan |
Mullins |
Sierra Club member, 350.org |
Bloomfield |
New Jersey |
I cannot think of a more important issue than taking every path to lower emissions in our very "at risk" State of NJ! Please do whatever is possible to see this is done in the... read more I cannot think of a more important issue than taking every path to lower emissions in our very "at risk" State of NJ! Please do whatever is possible to see this is done in the transportation sector of this extremely populated state. |
- |
2/27/2020 |
Susan |
Mullins |
Sierra Club member, 350.org |
Bloomfield |
New Jersey |
As a coastal state with water on 3 sides, it behooves us to change the character and emissions standards of our transportation system. We absolutely need more mass transit and more EVs to do our... read more As a coastal state with water on 3 sides, it behooves us to change the character and emissions standards of our transportation system. We absolutely need more mass transit and more EVs to do our part in keeping down the rising sea levels. The Bergen Record had an article this last summer that put a possible more than 26 Super Storm Sandys by 2100. Investment now, by comparison, looks cheap. |
- |
1/17/2020 |
Anthony |
Daniele |
sierra club member |
Pittsford |
New York |
I would love to see high speed rail included in any plan to reduce emissions. I am pleased to see the northeast states working to blunt the effects of climate change. If need be, additional tax... read more I would love to see high speed rail included in any plan to reduce emissions. I am pleased to see the northeast states working to blunt the effects of climate change. If need be, additional tax revenue. |
- |
2/28/2020 |
Raymond |
Van Houtte |
Sierra Club member |
Annapolis |
Maryland |
Please support a firm and time boxed commitment to adopt a regional transportation policy that achieves a minimum 40 percent reduction in transportation sector climate pollution by 2030, to keep... read more Please support a firm and time boxed commitment to adopt a regional transportation policy that achieves a minimum 40 percent reduction in transportation sector climate pollution by 2030, to keep us on track to meet the climate goals updated by the General Assembly in 2016.
Ensure we mandate that investment and policy decisions be made based on pollution reduction and equity goals, as well as robust engagement opportunities from the public‒particularly those most overburdened by transportation pollution and undeserved by our current transportation system. |
- |
2/28/2020 |
Richard |
Karel |
Sierra Club member |
Baltimore |
Maryland |
This initiative is critical if we are to make a real attempt to reduce greenhouse gases and air pollution from cars,
buses, and trucks and push the implementation of clean, modern,... read more This initiative is critical if we are to make a real attempt to reduce greenhouse gases and air pollution from cars,
buses, and trucks and push the implementation of clean, modern, multimodal forms of transportation. This partnership
could be based on the Regional Greenhouse Initiative which sets up a declining cap on the amount of carbon dioxide power plants
can emit. That program has helped cut regional emissions almost in half and has involved an investment of more than $600 million--
mainly for clean energy.
|
- |
2/28/2020 |
Eric |
McKenzie |
Sierra Club Maryland Chapter |
Greenbelt, MD |
Maryland |
I am writing simply to say that I strongly support the Transportation and Climate Initiative because I believe it is an effective and necessary means of reducing carbon emissions and the... read more I am writing simply to say that I strongly support the Transportation and Climate Initiative because I believe it is an effective and necessary means of reducing carbon emissions and the consequent global warming. |
- |
11/5/2019 |
Samantha |
Dynowski |
Sierra Club Connecticut |
Hartford |
Connecticut |
Thank you for the opportunity to provide written comments from stakeholders in Connecticut. Thank you for the opportunity to provide written comments from stakeholders in Connecticut. |
CT Stakeholder Response - TCI Draft Regional Policy Proposal.pdf |
2/27/2020 |
Samantha |
Dynowski |
Sierra Club Connecticut |
Hartford |
Connecticut |
On behalf of Connecticut stakeholders, please find attached letter in strong support of the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) as a regional approach to reducing pollution from the... read more On behalf of Connecticut stakeholders, please find attached letter in strong support of the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) as a regional approach to reducing pollution from the transportation sector.
|
TCI Draft MOU CT Stakeholder Response 2.27.20.pdf |
5/14/2019 |
Mark |
Kresowik |
Sierra Club |
Washington |
District of Columbia |
Thank you, please find attached comments from 39 environmental, health, scientific, transportation, social service, and business organizations committed to advancing modern, clean, accessible, and... read more Thank you, please find attached comments from 39 environmental, health, scientific, transportation, social service, and business organizations committed to advancing modern, clean, accessible, and low-carbon transportation in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic on the first workshop held on April 30th. |
Advocate Group Comments on 4_30 TCI Workshop.pdf |