TCI Regional Policy Design Stakeholder Submissions

Every 50-100 years, infrastructures need repair and revision. In this case, it is to adjust to problems caused by the negative by-products of the existing infrastructure. This means innovation, new jobs that supplant old ones, and enthusiasm for a brighter future. With government and industry both showing the foresight to support a cleaner approach to nature, success is inevitable. However, calcified pride in established norms is the diplomatic way of summarizing why neither institution moves with the enlightened urgency another civilization could display. But - even if forced by luck into improved regional policy design - the ideas and technology are already out there and on the way. Wit, humility, and positive attitude can inspire both holistic, eco-friendly traffic hubs and the lives of the people driving those trucks, buses, and cars.

Please support TCI for environmental, social and economic benefit of Vermonters, the land and beyond.

We must encourage more shared transportation rides, more walking and more consciousness of conservation and priority use of fuels. More carrots for doing the right thing.

We must reduce greenhouse gas emissions as quickly and as much as possible. This should have happened a long time ago. At this point in time, we are facing a climate emergency.

I agree with the Transpiration Climate Initiative in concept, but not with the timing of it. Vermont is one of the most environmentally clean states already and will struggle to meet the goals set by this plan. I include the following comments:
I. In Rural Vermont, this tax (that you say is not a tax) is discriminatory and will place an undue burden upon most lower and middle class citizens who are already working two jobs to make ends meet and pay their taxes. This initiative will drive more businesses and people out of Vermont.
II. Even with the incentive that Governor Scott has added to his budget to enable Vermonters to purchase an electric or hybrid vehicle, most Vermonters will not be able to afford to get out of their current car payment (usually a car with 150K miles on it that they are working another job to pay for) and purchase a new, electric vehicle. Also, there are no used electric or hybrid vehicles on the market now.
III. There is not an adequate mass transportation system available to enable people to get to Rutland to work an off shift. Even if there were, if someone was required to work an additional shift to provide additional funding support for their family, the current system doesn’t operate after 8:00 PM.
IV. Now that NH has dropped out of the regional initiative and NY has not committed to it, when the price of gasoline and diesel goes up because of TCI, Vermonters will simply go to those states to buy their fuels. You are naive to think that you will be able to force people to comply with your initiative. You probably haven’t noticed that fuel stations in the states along the Vermont border have been adding more gasoline pumps in anticipation of this CARBON TAX!
V. I understand that there is a plan for Vermont to sell carbon credits for businesses who don’t comply with this initiative. I also understand that the forests of our state which sequester the carbon will be used to calculate this carbon off-set. 89% of Vermont forest land is privately owned. You can’t sell carbon credits from trees that you don’t own. I own 250 acres of timber land. I asked the question last night; “Will the state pay me for my trees and the carbon they sequester” and was told that I didn’t own enough to be considered. I was also told that maybe if I joined with adjacent property owners to combine our acreage, that maybe the initiative would provide some offset to me. This seizure of property rights in unconstitutional and will not be allowed.

In 35 years we will run out of fossil fuel and we will have developed the technology to be mobile and competitive in a new world economy. Why do we have to comply with an unreasonable, futuristic standard now? We have already cut emissions and found alternative methods of going to meeting through advances of the internet. Workers are now able to telecommute to work and stay at home, work and care for their young children in the process.
Why don’t we develop a plan for phasing out the internal combustion engine over the next 10 years and let technology advance along the way so that when we get to the point of no fossil fuel, we can have everyone on board with the new plan? We can do this for the next 10 years as technology advance and our forests continue to sequester carbon from the other pollution sources in the world.

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

I have few question that maybe you or someone from CLF might be able to help me.
1. How would current and future Climate changes affect all people living with Dementia and Alzheimer and other disease o9f the brain?
2. How would anyone be able to help these individuals cope with Climate changes in the future around Air Pollutions, COVID-19 mortality and Communities of Color?

As a woman of color, I know women of color are the most likely to get Dementia and or Alzheimer before our white counterparts.

I would like to know if anyone can tell me if the warning signs are different with all of the diseases that we are now facing?

Looking forward to hear from you or anyone who was on the webcast about this upcoming health problems.