11/5/2019 |
Eric |
DeGesero |
Fuel Merchants Association of New Jersey |
Cranford |
New Jersey |
|
TCI Draft Framework Comments.pdf |
11/5/2019 |
David |
Pringle |
Mr. |
Cranford |
New Jersey |
Especially in light of the clarion call by 11,258 scientists earlier today, Clean Water Action submits the attached comments urging TCI mandate reductions in climate and co-pollutant emissions in... read more Especially in light of the clarion call by 11,258 scientists earlier today, Clean Water Action submits the attached comments urging TCI mandate reductions in climate and co-pollutant emissions in all jurisdictional areas especially overly burdened environmental justice communities, meaningful fully inclusive public input at the decision-making table, and funding to follow policy with all proceeds dedicated to climate and co-pollutant emission reductions. |
Nov.15.19 TCI Comments.pdf |
2/28/2020 |
David |
Pringle |
Clean Water Action |
Cranford |
New Jersey |
Please see the attached for details. TCI must reduce emissions in line with IPCC targets, TCI must benefit EJ communities, and all TCI proceeds must go to those purposes! Please see the attached for details. TCI must reduce emissions in line with IPCC targets, TCI must benefit EJ communities, and all TCI proceeds must go to those purposes! |
Clean Water Action TCI Comments 2.28.20.pdf |
12/18/2019 |
Al |
Monday |
Independent |
Cranston |
Rhode Island |
The TCI TAX. Will be the straw that finally breaks the financial back Of many retirees in Rhode Island.
Thus increasing the mass exitus Of not only taxpaying people but tax paying... read more The TCI TAX. Will be the straw that finally breaks the financial back Of many retirees in Rhode Island.
Thus increasing the mass exitus Of not only taxpaying people but tax paying businesses.
Our legislature should not be bypassed, the people should have a say on any and all new taxes.
I do not support the TCI initiative. |
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12/20/2019 |
Mike |
Stenhouse |
RI Center for Freedom & Prosperity |
Cranston |
Rhode Island |
Our Center OPPOSES the TCI Gas Tax. In addition to the economic problems caused by raising fuel prices at the pump, the concept of states giving away their taxing authority to a group of un-... read more Our Center OPPOSES the TCI Gas Tax. In addition to the economic problems caused by raising fuel prices at the pump, the concept of states giving away their taxing authority to a group of un-elected ideologues at a 3rd party organization that is only interested in advancing a radical environmental agenda … is anathema to a true democracy! |
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12/23/2019 |
Sam |
Parente |
none |
Cranston |
Rhode Island |
More government control of the people must not continue. More government control of the people must not continue. |
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12/23/2019 |
Jason |
Case |
None |
Cranston |
Rhode Island |
STOP DESTROYING THE WORKING CLASS & BLUE COLLAR JOBS. These policies ride on the backs of those who can't afford it. You want to reduce carbon, sell one of your numerous homes/vacation... read more STOP DESTROYING THE WORKING CLASS & BLUE COLLAR JOBS. These policies ride on the backs of those who can't afford it. You want to reduce carbon, sell one of your numerous homes/vacation properties, stop flying private jets, live in a house that's under 2,000 sq ft, stop making 5 runs a day to Starbucks. The working people are tired of paying for your guilt. |
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1/5/2020 |
Sam |
Parente |
none |
Cranston |
Rhode Island |
|
- |
1/6/2020 |
Robert |
Troia |
rep |
Cranston |
Rhode Island |
this is a democratic move to hurt the people of our state as dems do in congress because they do not CARE ABOUT OUR COUNTRY. all dems should loose their positions and give the people of our state... read more this is a democratic move to hurt the people of our state as dems do in congress because they do not CARE ABOUT OUR COUNTRY. all dems should loose their positions and give the people of our state a break.!!!! |
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1/16/2020 |
Allen |
Price |
Rhode Island |
Cranston |
Rhode Island |
I live in Rhode Island and support for a strong emissions reduction program. I live in Rhode Island and support for a strong emissions reduction program. |
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2/3/2020 |
Patrick |
Salisbury |
None |
Cranston |
Rhode Island |
No more Taxes! This is another way to steal money off people with some lame excuse. This has to stop, no more taxes and laws that penalize the people. No more Taxes! This is another way to steal money off people with some lame excuse. This has to stop, no more taxes and laws that penalize the people. |
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2/9/2020 |
DAVID |
MITCHELL |
unaffiliated |
CRANSTON |
Rhode Island |
Gas taxes place a regressive tax on the working poor. Climate initiatives should be through investment, not placing additional taxes on the working poor. Gas taxes place a regressive tax on the working poor. Climate initiatives should be through investment, not placing additional taxes on the working poor. |
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2/10/2020 |
Fred |
Morton |
REPUBLICAN |
CRANSTON |
Rhode Island |
There is enough taxes we pay now, don't need anymore, we don't need anymore. Period. Taxes this state gets now from us, we don't see where they are being used. If they go to the... read more There is enough taxes we pay now, don't need anymore, we don't need anymore. Period. Taxes this state gets now from us, we don't see where they are being used. If they go to the roads, forget it, the highways/road in this state are terrible. Also the money spent these round about was a total waste. They are a total screw up. |
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2/21/2020 |
Brian |
Wilder |
Climate Action Rhode Island |
Cranston |
Rhode Island |
Please help enact the regional Transportation and Climate Initiative!
It’s critical. Please help enact the regional Transportation and Climate Initiative!
It’s critical. |
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2/26/2020 |
Etta |
Albright |
Resident of Cambria County |
Cresson |
Pennsylvania |
As a believer that all must be done to curtail human activity induced global warming and climate change it only stands to reason to eliminate or reduce the contributing factors. While many of us... read more As a believer that all must be done to curtail human activity induced global warming and climate change it only stands to reason to eliminate or reduce the contributing factors. While many of us did not realize the consequences to the comforts, pleasures and conveniences afforded us through the fossil fuel industries, we now must own up to the harm by reducing and or eliminating greenhouse gases that we added to the atmosphere putting natural forces in chaos. Corporate priorities that have put profit over people has to be embraced along with any scientific approach for decreasing carbon emissions through cap and trade. Transitioning fossil fuel related jobs to sustainable jobs whatever they be has to be part of the plan. People's identity is largely in their jobs and that has to be respected. Steve Hvozdovich Pennsylvania campaign director for Clean Water Action was recognized addressing that component of transition in a recent newspaper article and I commend him for it. Dave Spiglemyer, President of the Marcellus Shale Coalition should be identified as a key player in the effort to address global warming and climate change with the understanding that failure in the industry to do its part results in responsibility for future damages. It is time for governing officials to plan using the best available science and tools to address the need to reduce the carbon emissions and come to communities directly involved to let the people know what the expectations are, who is to do what and how. This act could provide an opportunity for educating the public about the physics involved and how human activity exacerbated global warming and climate change. Along with this is the definite need for substituting gainful employment and or retraining options.
Many decades ago in the Lancaster, PA area, electric trucks were used to deliver milk. What happened? We understand the fossil fuel industry sabotaged efforts in electric vehicle production. Let's revisit that era. While I could go on and on about the need for sustainability, the best input I can offer is this: Before anything recommended is done does it match up to sustainability through stewardship? Given the belief that we are of Christian and God loving communities then it is without disagreement that we are mandated to be stewards of Creation. In the February edition of Rolling Stone magazine, Justin Nobel wrote an in depth article, titled America's Radioactive Secret. It reveals how the Marcelllus Shale Industrial Complex continues to destroy peoples lives due to their "catch me if you can" mentality regarding human and environmental health concerns. A war should be declared on climate change and global warming. Declaring war would awaken citizens to the seriousness of the situation and explain the need to consider rationing of energy until balance is restored by controlling human activity production of greenhouse gases. That you for the oportunity to support efforts toward cleaner healthier air. |
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11/5/2019 |
Christian |
Herb |
Connecticut Energy Marketers Association |
Cromwell |
Connecticut |
I am submitting comments for you to consider as a resident and taxpayer in Connecticut to express my concern about the potential that a cap and trade program will have on our customers, employees... read more I am submitting comments for you to consider as a resident and taxpayer in Connecticut to express my concern about the potential that a cap and trade program will have on our customers, employees, business and the environment.
The plan seems to be geared toward converting millions of gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs).
While EVs may be an apparently attractive way to lower emissions, we urge that greater consideration needs to be given to a number of factors that will have an impact on jobs, the economy, property values, electric reliability, emissions and family-owned businesses.
Please consider the following points and recommendations so that they can be incorporated into the final draft of the TCI:
•TCI needs to be very cautious about advantaging regulated electric monopolies that already benefit from antitrust protection and a guaranteed rate of return. According to the website Utility Dive (https://www.utilitydive.com/news/california-new-england-will-significantly-miss-2050-carbon-targets-at-curr/564726/), "Just to meet this load that comes from electrifying transportation and buildings, you have to add an electricity sector that's equal to the current electricity sector" – which is a huge gift to utility investors. Are utilities doing such a great job that they deserve these government handouts (Eversource is rated below California’s PG&E in 2019 by the American Customer Satisfaction Index)? Our business cannot compete with utilities coddled and protected by government unless, we get equivalent protection and subsidies to create a level, competitive playing field.
•With the goal of putting million’s EVs on the road, TCI should have ISO New England and the other grid operators fully evaluate the impact that this would have on the electric grid. An article published by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) indicates that one EV can consume as much electricity as a home does. And as noted, we need to double power generation to meet the state’s carbon goals, an unlikely feat that will result only in supply shortages. The unintended consequence of the government heedlessly jumping onto the EV bandwagon will be rolling blackouts, with power loss to critical infrastructure such as schools, businesses, emergency responders, hospitals and nursing homes.
•The ISO’s should add to their evaluation the impact of state policies promoting electric heat pumps on the electric grid, which could require an additional 17 million MWH of power annually. TCI must understand the impact that their program has on other initiatives also looking to utilize more electricity. TCI is not operating in isolation and has the responsibility not to operate in the dark either, and ensure that electric reliability is not compromised.
•Although EVs are considered a low- or zero-emission vehicles, they are only as clean as the electricity that charges them. Connecticut is heavily reliant on natural gas to generate electricity and becoming more dependent on it as nuclear generation in the region is retired. Natural gas (methane) is more than seventy times as potent a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide, and combusting natural gas also emits carbon dioxide. According to the Department of Energy, an EV produces 4,362 lbs of CO2e per year (https://afdc.energy.gov/vehicles/electric_emissions.html)– that’s almost two tons – hardly emissions-free, and that doesn’t even consider the CO2 resulting from their manufacture. TCI needs to fully understand the lifecycle impact of EVs and the source of the fuel that electricity is being generated from before EVs are designated as “clean”. It is intellectually and environmentally dishonest to claim that electricity is clean when ISO New England today (10/29/19) reports that just 8% of electric generation is renewable and 53% is generated with natural gas. Methane’s impact on climate change is an inconvenient truth. A recent study commissioned by the Connecticut Chapter of the Sierra Club (https://issuu.com/ctsierraclub/docs/hartford__ct_mobile_methane_leak_su) found that in Hartford, CT alone, gas pipelines leak approximately 43,000 cubic feet per day, or 313 metric tons per year. That is equivalent spilling and not cleaning up 320 gallons of diesel per day (or 117,000 gallons per year). Just because you can’t see natural gas leaks, it doesn’t mean that they are not there and that they are not doing environmental damage. According to Gale Ridge, PhD, a scientist and researcher on the Sierra Club study, “In a one month period, we found about 700 leaks in Hartford. Over a one-year period covering the same area, PURA reported 139 leaks. Even recognizing that some of the leaks we found are known to PURA, that’s about a 5-fold difference. We believe that CNG may be missing a large percentage of its leaks.”
•Connecticut motorists are already paying the highest gasoline taxes in New England and the 11th highest tax in America. Connecticut also has the highest diesel tax in New England and the 9th highest tax in America. Any proposal that increases the cost of fuel in our state will disproportionally harm low-income motorists and businesses when compared to states that do not participate in TCI. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council "Low-income, households of color, multifamily and renting households spend a much larger percentage of their income on energy bills than the average family." An across-the-board energy tax is therefore "regressive," i.e. "African-American and Latino households and renters in multifamily buildings who pay a disproportionate amount of their income for energy" will be greater impacted by such a tax than average- or high-income earners. Moreover, low-income families will have less means to change their energy use to lower-taxed fuels, which are prohibitively expensive to convert to. TCI needs to consider the impact of their program on low- and fixed-income families who will not be able convert to EV’s.
•Presumably, the purpose of TCI is to change consumption behavior in Connecticut and the region. But we’ve seen huge variations in energy commodity prices that haven’t affected consumption. EIA, for example, shows that gasoline consumption in Connecticut in 2015 was the same as in 2011, despite prices being more than $1/gallon less. Energy consumption is inelastic. Even if TCI is successful in increasing cost of fuel, the data clearly demonstrate that people will be paying higher prices for fuel and not curb consumption. Further inflation will result as the price of every product sold in Connecticut increases as merchants and manufacturers increase prices to account for TCI. Either that, or people will vote with their feet and leave the state or region.
Finally, even if TCI resulted in changes in consumption behavior in Connecticut, such changes will have no impact on climate change. As reported in U.S. News & World Report, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Assessment Report claims that even if the U.S. as a whole stopped emitting all carbon dioxide emissions immediately, the ultimate impact on projected global temperature rise would be a reduction of only about 0.08°C by the year 2050. China and India will dominate global carbon emissions for the next century, and there’s little the U.S., let alone Connecticut can do, to affect this. A Princeton University study likewise predicted that even if all countries stopped emitting CO2 entirely, the Earth would continue to gradually warm, before cooling off.
I ask that TCI take all of these issues into consideration before they decide to move forward. |
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2/25/2020 |
Sue |
VanDerzee |
Mrs. |
Cromwell |
Connecticut |
It is a great first step in cooperation and recognizing the importance of reducing carbon emissions. It is a great first step in cooperation and recognizing the importance of reducing carbon emissions. |
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10/14/2020 |
Etta |
Albright |
Citizen |
Crresson |
Pennsylvania |
Evidence of global warming and its destructive consequences is well documented and factual. Knowledge and understandng of greenhouse gases accumulating rapidly in the atmosphere during periods... read more Evidence of global warming and its destructive consequences is well documented and factual. Knowledge and understandng of greenhouse gases accumulating rapidly in the atmosphere during periods following the industrial revolution is also documented fact. Applying the data collected with sound reasoning a cause and effect showing increase in global temperatures provided the basis for the cascading effects and conclusions that human activity exacerbated global warming. The cascading effects of global warming are seen in the increase in destructive forces of winds, floods, droughts, electrical storms, disruption of ocean life food chains, fires etc. The increasing frequency, intensity, duration of weather has incurred one catastrophic situation after another. We must do all we can to curtail emissions of greenhouse gases. I understand electric trucks were used to deliver milk in Lancaster County in the 1940s. We can and must curtail use of green house gas emitting fossil fuel. |
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2/28/2020 |
Mary Anne |
Nulty |
National Association of Social Workers |
Culpeper |
Virginia |
I am 100% in favor of adopting such a policy. I am 100% in favor of adopting such a policy. |
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10/14/2019 |
John |
Fitzgerald |
white male senior |
CUMBERLAND |
Maine |
|
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