1/8/2020 |
John |
Troiano |
Citizen |
Bristol |
Rhode Island |
Please don’t raise the gas tax!!! Please don’t raise the gas tax!!! |
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1/9/2020 |
Peter and |
Hewett |
U.S. Navy |
bristol |
Rhode Island |
I strongly oppose implementation of the TCI. It is legislation thru regulation. I have no interest or desire to have my taxes or cost of operating my automobile determine or controlled by regional... read more I strongly oppose implementation of the TCI. It is legislation thru regulation. I have no interest or desire to have my taxes or cost of operating my automobile determine or controlled by regional bureaucrats. Any initiative that will result in increasing fuel costs to taxpayers ought to be undertaken directly by local and state elected officials who are ultimately accountable to the voters. Legislators who delegate to regulators or agency bureaucrats do so only to duck personal accountability and assure themselves (in their minds) of plausible deniability when it comes to assessing blame. |
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1/16/2020 |
Rochard |
Evans |
Dr. |
Bristol |
New Hampshire |
We must act now and do everything we can to stop our planet from heating up. We must act now and do everything we can to stop our planet from heating up. |
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2/7/2020 |
Charlotte |
McGray |
self |
Bristol |
Vermont |
https://www.zermatt.ch/en/arrival/Autofrei-GEX-MTT/Zermatt-is-car-free
Zermatt Switzerland has been car free for ages. It is a good plan and could be implemented in Burlington for a... read more https://www.zermatt.ch/en/arrival/Autofrei-GEX-MTT/Zermatt-is-car-free
Zermatt Switzerland has been car free for ages. It is a good plan and could be implemented in Burlington for a good start. See link.
Deliveries are made with electric trucks and traffic is not allowed into the city that is not electric. |
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2/24/2020 |
Kathleen Galligan |
Riess |
Concerned citizen |
Bristol |
Maine |
We drive a hybrid car, have recently installed solar panels on our home to reduce fossil fuel use. We are advocates of switching to alternative and renewable energies worldwide. We would support... read more We drive a hybrid car, have recently installed solar panels on our home to reduce fossil fuel use. We are advocates of switching to alternative and renewable energies worldwide. We would support TCI’s plans for increasing and encouraging introduction of electric vehicles, public transportation networks (again with an electric fleet), enticements for individuals to switch away from gas fueled cars to hybrids and electric. Maine could be an environmentally progressive leader in many ways. We could show other US states positive results from significant reduction of emissions. Right now federal legislation is hopeless while we have such an ignorant and destructive person in charge, so relying state by state seems a viable way to enact protective laws. |
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2/26/2020 |
Richard |
Richard |
Vermont Interfaith Power and Light, Bristol Energy Committee |
Bristol |
Vermont |
My name is Richard Butz, I’m a member of the Bristol, Vermont, Energy Committee, a Board member of Vermont Interfaith Power and Light (VTIPL), a Board member of Addison County River Watch... read more My name is Richard Butz, I’m a member of the Bristol, Vermont, Energy Committee, a Board member of Vermont Interfaith Power and Light (VTIPL), a Board member of Addison County River Watch Collaborative (ACRWC), a father and grandfather. I’m writing in strong support for Vermont’s participation in the Transportation Climate Initiative.
As a college professor (now retired as an assistant professor of engineering technology), I lectured on building and transportation systems and have been staying up on the environmental and technological aspects of those systems. To me the evidence is clear, while we’re in trouble regarding greenhouse gas emissions, the technology exists, right now, to address them. What’s missing are the will and financial resources. TCI will facilitate change in attitudes and provide funding to encourage sustainable practices while protecting low income vermonters through rebates and incentives. It will result in clean, good paying jobs as we make the necessary transitions.
As a member of the Bristol Energy Committee, I work to plan and implement ways our citizens can achieve the mobility they need, whether it involves frequent and convenient public transportation or finding ways to afford more efficient and affordable personal vehicles. We’ve already benefitted from weatherization programs that have been funded through monies received as a result of the two million dollars Vermont receives each year as part of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. Our Button-up and Window Dressers initiatives are local examples. TCI will function in a similar way to RGGI.
As a person of faith, a progressive church member and a Board member of Vermont Interfaith Power and Light, I advocate for TCI because it is a significant step in reducing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, critical to protecting Creation, something people of faith understand and are called to do. Last Thursday more than fifty members of VTIPL spent the day at the State House in Montpelier, meeting with our legislators to lobby for the first bill of the Global Climate Solutions Act. Imagine our joy when it passed the House with a large majority.
I know that transportation contributes 43% of Vermont’s greenhouse gas emissions, and if we are to make any progress in this regard we are going to have to invest in cleaner public transportation modes, particularly in rural locations where driving is a significant factor. As a long-term Prius owner I know how much less gasoline an efficient vehicle uses and its impact on my budget, something that needs to be made available to low income vermonters, and the funding from TCI would assist in that regard.
As a grandfather I fear for our kid’s future. The Fourth National Climate Assessment and the IPCC reports among countless others, make it clear that we have very little time to act. We know from our own experience that we are already experiencing erratic and destructive weather patterns, emergence of tick and mosquito born diseases that we never saw before, and we run the risk of losing our maple trees, having shorter ski seasons, degrading our beautiful streams, rivers and lakes, and the tourism that these resources support. In short, our way of life and the Vermont Brand may be lost. We can’t let that happen.
To be clear, I urge Vermont to join TCI! |
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2/27/2020 |
Warren |
Riess |
Independent voter |
Bristol |
Maine |
I haven't had time to check out everyone's comments, but I have a suggestion for our states. We should have some now and many in the future electric car and truck charging stations at... read more I haven't had time to check out everyone's comments, but I have a suggestion for our states. We should have some now and many in the future electric car and truck charging stations at every state service center along the highways. If they are in front of the restaurant (etc.) buildings, maybe covered by EV paneled roofs, they would have at least five benefits:
• help those of us who live in the state to travel with electric cars and trucks,
• encourage people with plug in cars to travel to our states,
• encourage others who see the charging stations to consider electric vehicles,
• of course help offset some of the intense pollution caused by fossil fuel vehicles,
• and encourage people to stop and have a rest or meal for a half hour or more as their vehicle charges.
All of these reasons would help all of us directly and indirectly. |
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2/27/2020 |
David |
Harris |
Harris Comfort |
Bristol |
Pennsylvania |
Let the market place take a natural course. It is unfair to penalize the use of one product to subsidize another. Also electric and natural or propane vehicles are not paying a tax. Let the market place take a natural course. It is unfair to penalize the use of one product to subsidize another. Also electric and natural or propane vehicles are not paying a tax. |
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2/12/2020 |
Taliesin |
Beriau |
None |
Broad brook |
Connecticut |
Increase subsidies for clean energy through taxes targeting industries and behaviors contributing to climate change (higher gas tax, coal, etc). Increase subsidies for clean energy through taxes targeting industries and behaviors contributing to climate change (higher gas tax, coal, etc). |
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11/16/2019 |
Chantal |
Hall |
Small business owner |
Brockton |
Massachusetts |
Massachusetts has been raising taxes with impunity and without any accountability every year. Your crippling taxes and restrictive policies do nothing to help reduce carbon emissions. This isn’t... read more Massachusetts has been raising taxes with impunity and without any accountability every year. Your crippling taxes and restrictive policies do nothing to help reduce carbon emissions. This isn’t fair to the working people of Massachusetts or the businesses that give them jobs. If you want to reduce carbon emissions work on improving the commuter rails and other public transportation. How many tax raises were supposed to do that? Please stop extorting taxes. You are killing jobs! |
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12/1/2019 |
Jerry |
Loiselle |
Private Citizen |
Brockton |
Massachusetts |
This is nothing more than another gas tax. Mass voters already VOTED AGAINST IT! Find the money elsewhere. Here are a few suggestions on where to find additional funding for this initiative. Less... read more This is nothing more than another gas tax. Mass voters already VOTED AGAINST IT! Find the money elsewhere. Here are a few suggestions on where to find additional funding for this initiative. Less waste, less hack hiring, rescind legislative pay raises, lower bloated state salaries, reduce spending on benefits to undocumented aliens, and reduce spending on all welfare recipients. How about reducing the amount of traffic on the roads now. How about instituting a work from home initiative. Starting with the state legislature. Just think there would be a few hundred less cars on the road. Reduce the Per-Diem travel pay that they are so quick to get reimbursed for. The taxpayers of Massachusetts can no longer afford additional taxes, fees, or whatever clever term that is used for exactly what this is. |
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1/16/2020 |
Gabriel |
Voiles |
Union of Concerned Scientists |
Bronx |
New York |
It is vitally important to reduce pollution from transportation, which is our largest source of global warming emissions (regionally and nationally).
I request that New York state... read more It is vitally important to reduce pollution from transportation, which is our largest source of global warming emissions (regionally and nationally).
I request that New York state formally join the plan to reduce emissions.
I demand that the policy has a strong component of equity by prioritizing clean investments in areas overburdened by pollution and/or for those who don't have access. |
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2/22/2020 |
Liz |
D. |
Concerned Citizen |
Bronx |
New York |
We need to take action to turn this climate emergency around now. I hope that it takes place responsibly and that we purchase batteries for electric vehicles from companies who purchase minerals... read more We need to take action to turn this climate emergency around now. I hope that it takes place responsibly and that we purchase batteries for electric vehicles from companies who purchase minerals such lithium via fair trade so that countries such as Bolivia and the continent of Africa do not get exploited in the process. |
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1/16/2020 |
ROBERT |
KOCH |
SARAH LAWRENCE COLLEGE |
Bronxville |
New York |
IN VERY STRONG SUPPORT OF THE TRANSPORTATION AND CLIMATE INITIATIVE. IN VERY STRONG SUPPORT OF THE TRANSPORTATION AND CLIMATE INITIATIVE. |
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1/16/2020 |
Jacqueline |
Birnbaum |
concerned resident |
Bronxville |
New York |
I am very concerned about reducing pollution from transportation, which is our largest source of global warming emissions. I request that New York State formally join the plan to reduce emissions... read more I am very concerned about reducing pollution from transportation, which is our largest source of global warming emissions. I request that New York State formally join the plan to reduce emissions and demand that the policy has a strong component of equity by prioritizing clean investments in areas overburdened by pollution and/or for those who don't have access.
I appreciate the bipartisan nature of this project, moving us forward while the federal government takes us backward. |
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1/16/2020 |
Francisco |
Velez |
Concerned Resident |
Bronxville |
New York |
Our transportation system is stuck in the dark ages. Traffic congestion from millions of cars and trucks are polluting our lungs and planet more than ever before. But as we enter this new decade,... read more Our transportation system is stuck in the dark ages. Traffic congestion from millions of cars and trucks are polluting our lungs and planet more than ever before. But as we enter this new decade, we have an opportunity modernize how we get from point A to point B. Request that your state formally join the plan to reduce emissions. We need a policy that has a strong component of equity by prioritizing clean investments in areas overburdened by pollution and/or for those who don't have access.
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1/26/2020 |
Theresa |
Murphy |
Ms. |
Bronxville |
New York |
Many countries with less resources than the USA are able to clean up their act; hence, so can the USA.
I have four young grandchildren. I want to to have clean lungs and live a long life... Many countries with less resources than the USA are able to clean up their act; hence, so can the USA.
I have four young grandchildren. I want to to have clean lungs and live a long life. |
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1/16/2020 |
Brenda |
Norris |
concerned citizen |
Brookhaven |
Pennsylvania |
We need more options in public transportation if we are going to make progress in cutting automobile emissions. This means traditional buses and trains, but also safe walking and biking paths... read more We need more options in public transportation if we are going to make progress in cutting automobile emissions. This means traditional buses and trains, but also safe walking and biking paths which connect residential ares to commercial areas. My research shows that it is VITAL for us to take drastic action to preserve our environment, and I hope you will be a leader in making this happen. Thank you! |
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1/16/2020 |
Frank |
John |
homeowner |
Brooklin |
Maine |
One of the principal missions of the federal government is to provide for the safety and security of US citizens. Conventional thinking is that the biggest threat is always from the "outside... read more One of the principal missions of the federal government is to provide for the safety and security of US citizens. Conventional thinking is that the biggest threat is always from the "outside", hence the disproportionate amount of spending on the military. By now it should be pretty obvious that the largest threat to our way-of-life is climate change/disruption; in fact, this has been recognized by the Pentagon as far back as 10 years ago.
We need to divert money from military spending to repair and upgrade energy and transportation infrastructure in this country. This is typically seen as an "expense" but in reality it is an investment in the future. |
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2/21/2020 |
Jane |
Whitney |
Maine resident |
Brooklin |
Maine |
Maine is referred to as “the tailpipe of the nation” for the high levels of air pollution blown across our state by the westerly winds, and the concurrent high levels of juvenile asthma. ... read more Maine is referred to as “the tailpipe of the nation” for the high levels of air pollution blown across our state by the westerly winds, and the concurrent high levels of juvenile asthma.
We urge you to move forward with a regional program that prioritizes the needs of communities overburdened with pollution and underserved in mobility options.
Thank you. |
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