TCI Regional Policy Design Stakeholder Submissions

While I agree that we should start taking care of our planet, I can only see this policy hurting Maine people. I wouldn't mind working towards better policies but taxing the most used form of fuel amongst the working class people, does nothing but hinders their economic stance in Maine's economy, I would love to to see more progress made on going green but as a libertarian I don't see increasing taxes as being the answer, making these clean energy cars tax exemptions like solar panels would be a more effective way to win people over.

I’m writing today to recommend that Maine withdraw from this initiative. Citizens can reduce their carbon footprint by lifestyle changes. Taxing fuel will NOT lower fuel consumption it will only cause economic hardship for Mainers. Gov. mill's desire to stay in this program is political, not out of concern for the environment.
The state of Maine economy depends heavily on tourist dollars. If the fuel tax to visit our state is extraordinary, tourist will stay away, thus creating a devastating result to the economy.

While living with an asthmatic, and sometimes suffering from poor air quality myself, I think that everything we can do to improve the air quality in our region is important. Reducing air pollution from transportation vehicles is an important step, and focusing on public buses such as school buses which still typically use diesel engines which bellow clouds of pollution when running cold or not adjusted properly. Exposing children to these fumes is wrong even if it's saving us taxpayers some dollars in costs, it comes back to us in poor health later in life. We also have increasing congestion in our valley from poor planning focusing mostly on development, and freight trucking. The transportation sector could consider how better about health effects of having too many people in an area.

I'd like to see a future with less air pollution, more public transportation, zero or low emission vehicles and walkable / bicycleable communities.

Gov Mills, consider this statement as public record.
I am against the proposed.17 per gallon gas tax. The tax will cause undue hardship on Maine citizens. Residents have an obligation to drive to their jobs, medical appointments, etc. There is little opportunity for them to drive less which is the goal of this tax. Carbon emissions reduction is a life style change. Taxing citizens will not reduce carbon emissions.
I certainly hope this topic isn’t made into a political pawn.
Keep in mind the grassroots organization that is putting the proposed energy corridor on the November ballot. Another grassroots organization could gather enough anger to do the same with this gas tax.

I am against any initiative that will raise the cost of transportation fuel and heating fuel as that will be very harmful to rural residents of Maine!

Please do whatever is in your power to help us & future generations breathe easier & be healthy.
Thank you!

As transportation contributes the majority of carbon it is urgent that we transition to using electricity for motor vehicles, heating while ensuring no adverse impact on minorities and low income folks

I live in Bedford, Massachusetts. I am an engineer, a mother of two almost grown daughters, and a former Girl Scout leader. I am now someone who spends every spare moment trying to combat climate change for the sake of my children and all children, because I am horrified that we as a society are allowing devastation to become the norm when there are alternatives! I am very grateful for the bipartisanship of the TCI. Any TCI policy would need to price carbon emissions high enough to effectively reduce emissions according to the latest science. In order to not cause social upheaval with high prices, the policy would also need to
have a strong component of social equity and should not hurt rural or low/moderate income people. We don't want to have a yellow vest situation on our hands as they did in France! Our children need us to be as bold as possible as we build the just and peaceful world they deserve!

My name is Parvathi Susarla and I live in Bedford, MA. I request that the policy be priced high enough
To effectively reduce carbon emissions and have a strong social equity so that it does not hurt
Any low income families. I appreciate the bipartisan effort on this policy.