2/24/2020 |
Kristin |
Peterson |
engaged citizenry |
Watertown |
New York |
Electric bikes are the solution not electric cars: https://theweek.com/articles/895479/real-potential-electric-vehicle-revolution
Emissions of different transportationmodes: http://... read more Electric bikes are the solution not electric cars: https://theweek.com/articles/895479/real-potential-electric-vehicle-revolution
Emissions of different transportationmodes: http://hugeasscity.com/images/climate-CO2byMode-med.jpeg
We need real cities, not "Suburbs, but now electric": https://www.ibtimes.com/how-suburban-sprawl-killing-environment-1552536
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10/14/2020 |
Sarah |
Stewart |
Dr. |
Watertown |
Massachusetts |
My family and I are requesting a cap on carbon emissions of at least 25% by 2032, an increase in the minimum investment in overburdened and underserved communities (>35%), and investments be... read more My family and I are requesting a cap on carbon emissions of at least 25% by 2032, an increase in the minimum investment in overburdened and underserved communities (>35%), and investments be put towards active transportation like better sidewalks, bicycle infrastructure, and high quality public transit.
Thank you for your attention to our comments, The Stewart Family |
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11/2/2019 |
Margaret |
Downs-Gamble |
Waterville Public Schools |
Watervilee |
Maine |
I support the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) and the need for Maine to move away from outdated single-car and single-driver models of transportation. Our outdated transportation... read more I support the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) and the need for Maine to move away from outdated single-car and single-driver models of transportation. Our outdated transportation system is Maine’s largest source of climate pollution—and it doesn’t even meet the needs of Maine people. We deserve clean, modern, affordable transportation options that deliver economic, health, and climate benefits to local communities.
It makes sense for Maine to work with neighboring states through TCI’s bipartisan, proven policy model to design and implement modern mass transit systems throughout our state and throughout New England. Imagine what a bullet train moving the people of Maine to and from work (in Portland, Boston, etc.) might look like. We could be the model of the future for the United States and the world. |
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10/25/2019 |
Linda |
Woods |
none |
Waterville |
Maine |
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. I am... read more 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. I am surrounded by people who are food insecure. There is food available, but many have no transportation to get to food banks. We need more access to public transportation. |
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10/27/2019 |
Richard |
Thomas |
Maine General Medical Center |
Waterville |
Maine |
Please support Maine in developing low carbon transportation. Primarily, I believe we need increased passenger trains and all electric buses and cars. I fear that without rapid improvement in... read more Please support Maine in developing low carbon transportation. Primarily, I believe we need increased passenger trains and all electric buses and cars. I fear that without rapid improvement in this and many other areas, we will face a climate emergency within 10 or 20 years, and our children's lives will be terribly harmed. Nothing is more important than this. |
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10/28/2019 |
Diana |
Perkins |
Leroy Perkins |
Waterville |
Maine |
I oppose Governor Mills supporting the Transportation Climate Initiative as it is going to increase the price of gasoline and oil prices which in turn affects prices of transporting food and other... read more I oppose Governor Mills supporting the Transportation Climate Initiative as it is going to increase the price of gasoline and oil prices which in turn affects prices of transporting food and other goods. Mainers need tax relief and I am very disappointed in Governor Mills as she promised that taxes would not be increased yet she increased the state budget by $800 million. We need to take in consideration the number of senior citizens, low income citizens and families that are already strapped with tax burdens.
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10/30/2019 |
Pamela |
Strong |
Retired Maine State Employee |
Waterville |
Maine |
With an average per capita income in Maine of slightly over $53K and 25% of its residents receiving Social Security...myself included) it occurs to me that most residents would not be able to... read more With an average per capita income in Maine of slightly over $53K and 25% of its residents receiving Social Security...myself included) it occurs to me that most residents would not be able to afford to buy a $55K vehicle, regardless of which fuel it uses! My income certainly would not allow me to buy one. Has this not occurred to anyone in the current administration? And, adding taxes onto already high gasoline prices would be punitive to those who are already financially struggling, just to enable those who CAN afford an expensive vehicle. This policy is like punishing someone who can only afford a used Chevy, in order to subsidize the driver of a Mercedes! |
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10/31/2019 |
John |
Griffeth |
Retired worker |
Waterville |
Maine |
GOVNOR MILLS please don't join this will be a travesty to Maine workers who use there vehicles to get to work. I believe you are going down the wrong path for Maine people! Again you... read more GOVNOR MILLS please don't join this will be a travesty to Maine workers who use there vehicles to get to work. I believe you are going down the wrong path for Maine people! Again you Democrats care less about maine people. Thank you. |
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11/5/2019 |
Tom |
Tietenberg |
Colby College |
Waterville |
Maine |
We know that reductions in emissions from the transportation sector are essential if we are to lower the threats posed by climate change. We also know that emissions reductions are considerably... read more We know that reductions in emissions from the transportation sector are essential if we are to lower the threats posed by climate change. We also know that emissions reductions are considerably cheaper than suffering the increases in damages that inaction brings. Further we know that the longer we wait to lower those emissions, the higher the cost will be. As someone who has studied these kinds of systems for my entire career I know of no more cost-effective and fairer approach than this type of system. I look forward to reading the comments of those who propose an alternative system capable of achieving achieve similar emissions reductions that can be demonstrated to be both fairer and more cost-effective than this proposal. |
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12/17/2019 |
Ansel |
Hazen |
Conservative |
Waterville |
Maine |
This initiative is pure liberal climate hoax poppycock. Mainers don't have, nor do we want, a huge public transport infrastructure that ships us around like cattle. Take your out of state... read more This initiative is pure liberal climate hoax poppycock. Mainers don't have, nor do we want, a huge public transport infrastructure that ships us around like cattle. Take your out of state ideology and GO AWAY. |
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1/16/2020 |
Dawn |
DiBlasi |
County Government |
Waterville |
Maine |
Clean Transportation Can Protect Our Environment and Grow Our Economy
HIGHLIGHTS
The Northeast has helped lead the nation
in reducing pollution from electricity.
Now... read more Clean Transportation Can Protect Our Environment and Grow Our Economy
HIGHLIGHTS
The Northeast has helped lead the nation
in reducing pollution from electricity.
Now the largest source of pollution in the
region comes from transportation. We
can create a better, cleaner transportation
system for Northeast residents through
investments in public transportation and
new technologies such as electric vehicles.
An important step forward would be for the
Northeast region to set an overall limit
on pollution from transportation through
a regional “cap-and-invest” program,
similar to the program the region
implemented for electricity-related
emissions. This program would begin to
hold oil companies accountable for their
emissions and provide funding for clean
mobility for Northeast residents.
Over the past decade, the Northeast region of the United States has helped lead
the country—and the world—in supporting and developing clean, renewable
sources of electricity. Taken together, the policies of Northeast states, from Maine
to Maryland, have generated billions of dollars in investment for solar, wind, and
efficiency. One driving force behind this investment is a regional initiative that
caps emissions from the electricity sector, charges power plants for the emissions
they generate, and invests the revenue from those fees into efficiency and clean
energy programs. This initiative has helped fundamentally change the region’s
electricity sector: we have achieved unprecedented penetration of renewables,
nearly eliminated the use of coal, and reduced overall electricity use at a time of
economic expansion.
The next big step for the region is to bring that same sense of commitment,
ingenuity, and purpose to clean transportation.
Transportation is the largest source of pollution in the Northeast region,
comprising more than 40 percent of total regional global warming emissions
(Georgetown Climate Center 2015). In addition to the health impacts associated
with rising temperatures, soot and ground-level ozone from the region’s cars
and trucks are responsible for more than 50,000 asthma attacks, 1,000 deaths,
and other pollution-related illnesses that incur approximately $27 billion in total
health care costs every year (Holmes-Gen and Barrett 2016). The health impacts
of transportation affect all of us, but especially vulnerable are children, the elderly,
the chronically ill, and people in low-income communities (who often live in or
near freight corridors). |
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2/1/2020 |
Carl |
Wardwell |
Independent |
Waterville |
Maine |
I am a small business owner and operate a delivery business in the waterville area. the tci policy as it is now is the worst plan to reduce emmissions which from what i read is the "intent... read more I am a small business owner and operate a delivery business in the waterville area. the tci policy as it is now is the worst plan to reduce emmissions which from what i read is the "intent" of the tci proposal. taxing fuel further will increase operating costs for all transportation services by increasing their anual fuel costs by approximately 7.5% seems like a small ammount for a good cause until you look at it further take my small business to start in a year i will purchase just over 850 gallons of gasoline this is running a 30 mpg vehicle at optimal fuel consumption. which equates to just $144.50 more in fuel costs. i have still maintained the same carbon emissions the same can be said for oter companies as well lets look at a trucking and freight company, an 18 wheeler gets roughly 5.3 mpg runs 3,000 miles per week and annually will consume 29,434 gallons of fuel. which means every operating 18 wheeler will be taxed an additional $5,003.78 and has not altered its carbon emissions not to mention the operating cost which will be passed along to the consumer. now i would say it makes more since to adopt something like the california emissions laws. it would be better to impose a fee for failing an emissions test rather than paying more for doing your job and paying another tax for fuel. these fees can fund projects on atmospheric carbon scrubbing projects which will clean the already poluted air and at the same time will do more than encourage drivers to lower emissions, new cars sold will already meet or exceede these emissions requirements and older vehicles can either be brought up to code at the owners expense or end up with fines for failing the emissions test. trucking companies, cab companies, public transport, mail couriers and so many others will be forced to do 3 things! 1 look into overhauling its logistics to deliver more efficiently 2 bring all operating vehicles up to code for emissions and 3 pay for not meeting emissions testing. and these emissions tests and fines can be anual with vehicle inspections and a part of d.o.t highway checks imposing a fee for every mile driven after the initial fine is issued until an emissions test is passed will also encourage these high emission vehicles to be parked and cease operation until they meet code. bottom line taxing the fuel needed to run your business or to commute to work or deliver essential goods across the united states is a terrible idea! i understand a road tax it pays for infrastructure repairs and upkeep and new roadways bridges etc. but saying no matter how low your emissions are you get to pay the same ammount as everyone else is crazy! we have all seen diesel pickup trucks take off from a stop and "rolling coal" because its fun, how is it fair they pay $0.17 while im sitting here in a ford focus. another outcome could be the forced purchase of ev's which simply changes the source of this pollution and new england does not have an effective infrastructure for ev charging or even repair. please reconsider the proposal and target offenders with fees rather than all purchases of road fuel, and use these fees to fund existing atmosphere pollution elimination projects. thank you! |
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2/24/2020 |
Gale |
Davison |
Ms. |
Waterville |
Maine |
We need to be changing our fossil fuel based transportation systems as soon as possible rather than later. The earth's weather systems are already showing dramatic and harmful consequences to... read more We need to be changing our fossil fuel based transportation systems as soon as possible rather than later. The earth's weather systems are already showing dramatic and harmful consequences to our economic health through destruction of valuable assets and food security. Public transportation alternatives would substantially reduce the need for expensive electric automobiles and considerably reduce the use of carbon based gasoline to reach public transportation hubs. The sooner we transition to carbon less transportation alternatives and invest in public transportation the more attractive we will become to younger generations looking to settle in sustainable areas of our country. |
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2/26/2020 |
Richard |
Thomas |
Maine Gen. Medical Center |
Waterville |
Maine |
I am inspired by TCI's policy model, because I believe that without such powerful and proactive steps, my grandchildren's lives will be horribly affected by climate change. I think... read more I am inspired by TCI's policy model, because I believe that without such powerful and proactive steps, my grandchildren's lives will be horribly affected by climate change. I think that TCI is an example of government at its best, so thank you from the bottom of my heart. Richard Thomas, Ph.D.
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10/14/2020 |
Stephan |
Armstrong |
CHEROKEE LINES INC |
Watsontown |
Pennsylvania |
I want a cap on carbon emissions of at least 99% by 2032 and an an increase in the minimum investment in overburdened and underserved communities (>99%). I request that investments be put... read more I want a cap on carbon emissions of at least 99% by 2032 and an an increase in the minimum investment in overburdened and underserved communities (>99%). I request that investments be put towards active transportation like better sidewalks, bicycle infrastructure, and high quality public transit.
Economic and public health modeling to analyze how emissions reductions and investments in low-carbon transportation infrastructure will benefit people, businesses, and communities, particularly communities already bearing disproportionate impacts from pollution and lack of access to economic opportunities. |
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1/16/2020 |
Carole |
Plumb |
Citizen |
Wayland |
Massachusetts |
I support policies that show short and long term planning for curbing the both the greenhouse gas levels rising and increased transportation/traffic woes due to use of fossil fuels. A scientist by... read more I support policies that show short and long term planning for curbing the both the greenhouse gas levels rising and increased transportation/traffic woes due to use of fossil fuels. A scientist by training I understand hard limits and the damage resulting from a spiraling negative feedback loop. If repairs are not going to be made by regulatory fiat, and a market solution is more palatable to get the job done-then build the system to make it happen. Short term thinking is what got humanity here in the first place- choosing comfort, convenience and cheap over building century stable systems which require effort. Humans are not evolved to be good at long term planning. Like safety protocols LT planning requires training and reinforcement.
What feels like small actions by individuals aggregate into horde of people which has big impacts. I place "the everything is fine as long as I get mine" and "why worry, it hasn't happened before" crowd into the category of homeowners who refuse to budge for hurricane evacuations until its too late, panic and jam the roads, or need to be asked to write their social security numbers on their arms so the bodies can be identified after the storm surge.
Commenters outraged at paying any taxes should work harder at getting your government to stop blowing billions of dollars on needless wars and hundreds of millions on Trumps golf outings. Try and remember taxes should pay for bridges that stay up, usable transportation and the social infrastructure of civilized society. Good government does not come for free. Ignorance, bad data and ideas repeatedly proven wrong that won't stay dead, well, those are free but still manage to end up costing everyone.
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1/23/2020 |
Sherman |
Homan |
Business |
Wayland |
Massachusetts |
The TCI is just another tax, added to the ridiculous tax burden that we are already under. It won't help carbon emissions or clean air, it will just make life more difficult for working... read more The TCI is just another tax, added to the ridiculous tax burden that we are already under. It won't help carbon emissions or clean air, it will just make life more difficult for working people. It is time for a good 10% cut across the the state goverment. |
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2/12/2020 |
mike |
Kanarek |
Mobile Game Doctor, Wildlife Rehabilitators' Association of Ma |
Wayland |
Massachusetts |
Watching other states falter on TPI has been a huge disappointment. Massachusetts can lead the way, and I've never been more proud of my elected officials in this state for sticking by it. To... read more Watching other states falter on TPI has been a huge disappointment. Massachusetts can lead the way, and I've never been more proud of my elected officials in this state for sticking by it. To my state representative (rep. Gentile) and senator Rausch - thank you for doing what you can. Thank you for looking past the short term economics of the situation and doing what's right. We're proud to be here. |
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2/28/2020 |
Carole |
Plumb |
citizen |
Wayland |
Massachusetts |
I support the TCI both to attempt to brake humanities collision course with climate upheaval and to reduce congestion with sensible transportation options. I support the TCI both to attempt to brake humanities collision course with climate upheaval and to reduce congestion with sensible transportation options. |
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2/28/2020 |
David |
Fitzpatrick |
Voting citizen |
Wayland |
Massachusetts |
Climate change is a pressing issue being ignored at the Federal level. It is critical that state, communities, corporations, and individuals take action. Climate change is a pressing issue being ignored at the Federal level. It is critical that state, communities, corporations, and individuals take action. |
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