TCI Regional Policy Design Stakeholder Submissions

Material submitted through the TCI Public Input form from April 2019-February 2021 is viewable here. View input submitted from March 1, 2021 forward here. All material submitted on this page informed the participating jurisdictions in the 2019-2020 TCI regional policy design process. Click on the column headings to sort the submissions.

Date	First	Last	Affiliation	City	State	Input	File
2/19/2020	Alleyn	Harned	Virginia Clean Cities at JMU	Harrisonburg	Virginia	TCI could be well served to consider climate implications of a range of currently utilized U.S. transportation fuels and fuel switch solutions, based on Department of Energy, Department of... read more TCI could be well served to consider climate implications of a range of currently utilized U.S. transportation fuels and fuel switch solutions, based on Department of Energy, Department of Transportation, EPA and California longstanding efforts to reduce transportation emissions and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation. In the absence of metrics, the solutions proposed or modeled may be high cost and low impact. If TCI would like help there are a range of technologies that could be considered that could reduce emissions far greater than 19% over a decade. With transportation carbon targeting solutions looking at bang-for-the-buck or taking a greenhouse gas reduction as a metric strategy, deeper cuts could be seen on a faster timescale. Public sources of information from California Low Carbon Fuel Standard is a good peer-state guide. The federal Renewable Fuel Standard is the other long evaluated public tool tracking real metrics. Consider goal of tracking and reducing transportation greenhouse gas emissions with a wider all hands on deck approach rather than limited strategies and see if a TCI model can seek larger benefit for the public good. Consider a policy that has a larger emissions reduction strategy in the region such as 25% and continual evaluation. TCI materials miss a lot of science of transportation emission studies and additional advisors could help the TCI team. Clean transportation investment options seem pretty limited and could use peer review from state clean transportation programs. In Virginia our clean fuel program at Virginia Clean Cities reduces 175,000,000 tons annually and TCI should revisit 2032 goals of 62 total possible million metric tons reduced in 25% scenario to see if this regulatory action could meet or far exceed current single state voluntary annual emission reductions programs - considering the baseline of clean fuel programs goals could be increased with full coordination with DOT and Energy agencies or checking back at assumptions.	-
2/20/2020	Alleyn	Harned	Virginia Clean Cities at JMU	Harrisonburg	Virginia	In a previous submission I had an error where I overstated the impact of the local transportation carbon reduction program in Virginia - 174 thousand tons of CO2e a year is saved in those... read more In a previous submission I had an error where I overstated the impact of the local transportation carbon reduction program in Virginia - 174 thousand tons of CO2e a year is saved in those voluntary efforts and not million. I regret the error.	-
2/22/2020	Barbara	Schelstrate	Virginia citizen	Arlington	Virginia	I am thrilled that my state is one of those supporting the Transportation and Climate Initiative. Let's ensure that Virginia is at the forefront of efforts to combat the worst effects of... read more I am thrilled that my state is one of those supporting the Transportation and Climate Initiative. Let's ensure that Virginia is at the forefront of efforts to combat the worst effects of climate change, and perhaps even to turn climate change around.	-
2/21/2020	Laura	Bang	Villanova University	Strafford	Pennsylvania	As someone who has always relied on public transportation, I have observed many different public transit systems in the states and cities in which I have resided. Of the TCI members, I have lived... read more As someone who has always relied on public transportation, I have observed many different public transit systems in the states and cities in which I have resided. Of the TCI members, I have lived in PA and MD (in the Washington, D.C. metro area), and visited many others. There is a huge difference in the ease of getting around via public transit in bigger cities vs. smaller cities and towns, but all systems can certainly benefit from upgrades. As someone who is also deeply concerned about climate change and the future of our planet, I am also eager to see more states take the initiative to reduce carbon pollution while investing in ways to make getting around better for everyone.	-
1/19/2020	Elaine	Schmerling	Village of Ardentown	Wilmington	Delaware	We need more and better public transportation, to reduce pollution and mitigate climate change. Also, our roads are too crowded already, as population is growing, we need more people to take... read more We need more and better public transportation, to reduce pollution and mitigate climate change. Also, our roads are too crowded already, as population is growing, we need more people to take public transportation - but it is not always convenient enough, we don't have enough of it.	-
10/14/2020	David	Sawhill	VidSaw Innovation, LLC	Philadelphia	Pennsylvania	It is so important to address climate change. Especially for our children. It is time to stop thinking only for ourselves and for only this present moment. It is truly incomprehensible to me how... read more It is so important to address climate change. Especially for our children. It is time to stop thinking only for ourselves and for only this present moment. It is truly incomprehensible to me how self serving political change has become. Enough said. Let's try something different. It might even be a surprise that provides a long term economic advantage.	-
12/1/2019	Stan	Roberts	Victim	Westminster	Massachusetts	The audacity of these swindlers in government. Instead of doing the job that they were elected to find innovative new ways to disguise ways around what we have already voted against. ... The audacity of these swindlers in government. Instead of doing the job that they were elected to find innovative new ways to disguise ways around what we have already voted against.	-
2/29/2020	Douglas	Stuart	Veterans For Peace, Eliot Church of Newton, United Church of Christ	Newton	Massachusetts	This initiative is a constructive, cooperative enterprise engaging a mutual concern for our environment. A positive effort in facing up to our responsibility for our planet's, our... read more This initiative is a constructive, cooperative enterprise engaging a mutual concern for our environment. A positive effort in facing up to our responsibility for our planet's, our children's and grandchildren's future.	-
12/1/2019	Irving	Priest	Veteran taxpayer	Killeen	Texas	I left MA when I realized the bloated hackerama would never repeal the income tax to what we the people voted it back down to. If Tall Devil, I mean Charlie wants to slide this into his budget to... read more I left MA when I realized the bloated hackerama would never repeal the income tax to what we the people voted it back down to. If Tall Devil, I mean Charlie wants to slide this into his budget to keep feeding his friends in the unions I think we should immediately votw for the only vehicles allowed to take home from ANY state map, I mean job, should be all electric vehicles. No more cruisers being driven home at 90 MPH because the statues are “on duty” 24/7 like they “have been” in the past. No more Tahoe for Charlie to be catered around in - he wants a free ride he can drive his own little electric spec to see how much fun they are to drive around Boston - and make sure it’s a stripped down model without any extras so he can finally drive like the rest of us. Might teach him to take that amazing MBTA he has worked such wonders on.	-
1/2/2020	Daniel	Marion	Very Concerned Citizen	Cumberland	Rhode Island	TCI is a complete sham and is nothing more than another excuse to take more money from the tax payers and control their lives. If you truly want to affect the climate in a positive way spend your... read more TCI is a complete sham and is nothing more than another excuse to take more money from the tax payers and control their lives. If you truly want to affect the climate in a positive way spend your time getting China, and India to reduce their toxic output and leave the US alone. There is no freaking way the people in New England will be ok garbage.	-
11/12/2019	David	Mulholland	Vermonter	Westminster West	Vermont	While the purpose and aims are commendable, when it comes to charging money for polluting -- even as offsets -- we make the ability to pollute a sought after prize for those who can afford to... read more While the purpose and aims are commendable, when it comes to charging money for polluting -- even as offsets -- we make the ability to pollute a sought after prize for those who can afford to pollute. We should all work to reduce carbon emissions. Here are implicit problems with such approaches: 1) Will we provide the poorest individuals with "gas-guzzlers" new, efficient, high mpg cars for free or as low a cost as the vehicles they can inherit from relatives or find on street corners in poorer neighborhoods? Why shift the blame to them? 2) Will you run mass transit on rural back roads where many New Englanders actually live? I would love to use public transit and find myself needing to drive beyond my intended destination to access any. I am not alone in this. 3) How will there be fair and equitable distribution of opportunities for change on a personal level in all ways that reduce a carbon footprint? Massive TCI plans cannot replace individual effort or become a "feel good" surrogate on a social level.	-
1/28/2020	Melody	Stone	Vermonter	Dummerston	Vermont	Governor Phil Scott please do all you can to support Vermont through this climate crisis we are in by backing your fellow Vermonters by signing off on TCI. Think of our child and our children’s... read more Governor Phil Scott please do all you can to support Vermont through this climate crisis we are in by backing your fellow Vermonters by signing off on TCI. Think of our child and our children’s children. Be the man to make a difference.	-
2/25/2020	James	Burde	Vermonter	Jericho	Vermont	I am writing to encourage Gov. Scott to join TCI today. Whether or not Vermont joins TCI, we will pay. TCI will require fossil fuel depot operators to purchase an allocation for the... read more I am writing to encourage Gov. Scott to join TCI today. Whether or not Vermont joins TCI, we will pay. TCI will require fossil fuel depot operators to purchase an allocation for the amount of pollution their products cause. As the Deputy Secretary of the Agency of Natural Resources explained, Vermont imports 100% of its gasoline and diesel from fuel depots located in other states. While depot operators could absorb these costs out of their profits, it is anticipated that they will pass most, if not all, of their obligation expenses onto downstream distributors. If, as seems likely, some of the states Vermont imports fossil fuels from join TCI then Vermont distributors will be burdened with TCI’s compliance costs and they, in turn, will pass those costs onto consumers whether or not Vermont joins the compact. If Vermont joins TCI, the State will receive more revenue for investments than Vermonters contribute to the program. As currently contemplated, the proceeds from depots buying allowances will be distributed to TCI states based on the volume of transit fuels sold within each jurisdiction. This design works in Vermont’s favor since, as Scott Administration officials estimated at the recent public meetings, 20-25% of the gasoline and on-road diesel sales in Vermont are sold to out-of-state travelers. That means that for every dollar Vermonters contribute, the State will receive as much as $1.25-$1.33 for 21st Century transportation investments. Taken together, these points make joining TCI a no-brainer, and refusal to join a disservice to Vermont’s economy. Vermonters will pay either way, but if we’re in we’ll receive back more than we put in.	-
2/25/2020	Maeve	Power	Vermonter	Burlington	Vermont	It is so crucial that Vermont joins TCI to reduce carbon emissions from our most polluting sector in a fair and equitable way. It is so crucial that Vermont joins TCI to reduce carbon emissions from our most polluting sector in a fair and equitable way.	-
2/25/2020	Josiah	Klingler	Vermonter	Williamstown	Vermont	Vermont really needs to do more to reduce emissions. A carbon tax would be great. Vermont really needs to do more to reduce emissions. A carbon tax would be great.	-
2/25/2020	Paul	Burns	Vermonter	Montpelier	Vermont	I believe that Vermont should join the Transportation and Climate Initiative. Joining TCI is not the only thing we need to do now to address the climate crisis, but it is one important step we... read more I believe that Vermont should join the Transportation and Climate Initiative. Joining TCI is not the only thing we need to do now to address the climate crisis, but it is one important step we must take. And it will not only bring climate and economic benefits to our state; it will improve our transportation system and reduce air pollution as well.	-
1/24/2020	Donna	Smyers	Vermont, New England, the US, and the planet Earth	Adamant	Vermont	I am a very concerned citizen who believes that the governor's and legislators' resistance to increasing the cost of carbon is very short sighted. The only thing that reliably changes... read more I am a very concerned citizen who believes that the governor's and legislators' resistance to increasing the cost of carbon is very short sighted. The only thing that reliably changes people's behavior in this country is financial incentive. It is actually a very capitalistic and Republican manner of achieving results without the government deciding how it gets done. TCI does not go far enough to cut carbon quickly, but it is a very important step that can be taken without major economic upheaval. We have endured gas price increases much more drastic than TCI would cause during prior gas shortages or panics. We paid up to $4/gallon not that long ago. When we did, people bought smaller cars and carpooled and used public transit or stayed home more. They had to. That is a price that we should pay now, and use the funds generated to help people who can least afford the price increases to change their mode of transportation and decrease their heating fuel needs. Upgrading vehicles and weatherization for those least able to pay will give them long term economic benefits from the price increases and help VT and the world achieve the needed decrease in fossil fuel use. If we do not pay the small price now, the cost in disaster mitigation will dwarf the cost of TCI. Even though we are a small portion of worldwide CO2 emissions, Vermont must do its part. Every single portion counts. If we do not do it, everyone may not do it. We all must pay a price for the excesses of the last century or pay a much bigger price later. Delaying aggressive action is like obtaining an extremely high interest loan--it will come due and we will pay for it. Please approve joining into the Transportation Climate Initiative now. Thank you, Donna Smyers	-
2/19/2020	Deborah	Martin	Vermont Voter	Norwich	Vermont	Dear Governor Scott, Our nation has neglected climate change to the point of imminent crisis proportions. Our "brave little state" and every one of us needs to step up and change... read more Dear Governor Scott, Our nation has neglected climate change to the point of imminent crisis proportions. Our "brave little state" and every one of us needs to step up and change the things we can. The TCI addresses 40% of our emissions and is a perfect place for you to start. Please, please, please do not follow Sununu's and trump's anti-environmental examples. Do not be just another spineless, Republican lackey. Vermont and Vermonters are counting on you. Sincerely, Deborah Martin Norwich, Vermont	-
2/26/2020	Lissa	Schneckenburger	Vermont tax payer	Brattleboro	Vermont	Please please please join the TCI program, our economy and the health of our state depends on these important funds! Please please please join the TCI program, our economy and the health of our state depends on these important funds!	-
2/25/2020	Laurene	Cochran	Vermont state resident	Guilford	Vermont	Governor Scott should join the Transportation and Climate Initiative. Vermonters will end up paying whether or not we join the program, and there's a good chance if the state does join that... read more Governor Scott should join the Transportation and Climate Initiative. Vermonters will end up paying whether or not we join the program, and there's a good chance if the state does join that we will end up receiving back more for investment than we put into it. The governor could use the proceeds from it to help low income Vermonters. We're in the midst of a climate emergency. We need to do everything we can to reduce carbon pollution, and the TCI will lead to a 25% reduction in transportation emissions by 2032 - not enough but certainly a step in the right direction.	-

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