TCI Regional Policy Design Stakeholder Submissions

There should be no "back door" gas tax. The public has overwhelmingly defeated gas taxes in the past. If and when there are legitimate attempts by the state government to reduce waste and inefficiency then and only then should they pursue such a tax. I expect that passing this will result in another tax payer referendum and repeal of the tax.

Please consider the value of drawing down carbon by building soil health in the discussion about how to allocate funds to be received from TCI. This also can contribute to improved water quality, climate resilience, and food production. Compensating farmers and other land managers for building soil carbon and water storage is one important part of Vermont's climate objectives. The Payment for Ecosystem Services Working Group is currently working on ways to measure ecosystem services provided by farmers and land managers, and identify sources of funding to reward them for this work. Perhaps TCI could provide part of the revenue needed to compensate farmers for drawing down carbon.

Another readily measurable way to reduce our GHG emissions is to encourage substitution of biological methods such as compost application and cover cropping for use of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers. Support for farmers to replace synthetic nitrogen with compost to provide crop nutrients will serve to sequester carbon in addition to reducing nitrous oxide emissions. Nitrogen synthesis currently consumes vast quantities of natural gas in an energy intensive process. As a bonus, implementation of the solid waste recycling requirement would be supported by market incentives for community based compost production--a win-win for both environment and farm economy.

Thank you for considering these suggestions, submitted on behalf of the Vermont Healthy Soils Coalition - www.vermonthealthysoilscoalition.org

How we get around is important and transportation is the largest source of air pollution in the region. We need to build a modern, clean, safe, and accessible transportation system for the 21st century. The more we limit pollution from motor fuels, the more jobs we create, the more the economy grows, the healthier our air becomes, the quieter our communities become and the more lives we save. Maryland should join TCI to fund better transportation infrastructure, reduce traffic, and make my community a cleaner, safer place to live. We need to transfer to all electric cars and buses as soon as possible, build a monorail to Frederick that ties into the existing subway, and make public transportation free to all people, with a priority on low income households.
Public Health: It is clear that air pollution from cars, trucks, and buses have become a huge detriment to my community’s health. Air pollution has been linked to a variety of health problems, including asthma, heart disease, and lung cancer, and the more ambitious TCI is, the more our community stands to benefit from a cleaner transportation system. I urge my Governor to join TCI and push it to be as ambitious as possible, for the sake of my community’s health and livelihood. Having lived near the Dickerson Power Plant and Incinerator for many years, I can attest to the effects of particulates in aggravating my allergies and causing endless respiratory problems.

As a person living in a rural area, I think that TCI is extremely important. When states join TCI, they have the opportunity to invest in rural communities where transportation options are limited. Joining TCI would allow Maryland to ensure that rural communities aren’t left behind in the green transition and stuck behind the wheel of costly, inefficient vehicles. Governor Hogan should push for an ambitious TCI program so that rural communities like mine get the solutions they need, including adequate sidewalks in small town so people can walk safely to the train station, post office and stores.

I live in a rural area with limited pubic transportation therefore I think that TCI is extremely important. I would like to drive less and take public transportation more. When states join TCI, they have the opportunity to invest in rural communities where transportation options are limited. Joining TCI would allow Maryland to ensure that rural communities aren’t left behind in the green transition and stuck behind the wheel of costly, inefficient vehicle that are the main source of pollution and green house gasses.. Governor Hogan should push for an ambitious TCI program so that rural communities like mine get the solutions they need. Specifically, we need more Marc train service not just the limited offering of 2020. We need more busses run by clean energy to offer connections to public transportation. We need something like a Monorail service from Shady Grove Metro to Frederick. This is just the area I know about. I know there are lots more.

Since transportation is the largest source of air pollution in our metropolitan regions, we need to build a modern, clean, safe, and accessible and affordable transportation system for the 21st century. Fighting climate change and air pollution requires that we limit pollution from motor fuels. This "fight" will create more jobs , stimulate the economy, and by providing cleaner air save lives. Maryland should join TCI to fund better transportation infrastructure, reduce traffic, and make our state a cleaner, safer place to live.

Traveling Maine is very difficult without a car. Cities like Bangor really need to have high speed trains to get folks to Boston and other parts of Maine.
We need far fewer cars to alleviate the stress on our highways. The air quality would improve and respect for one another would grow.
We are far behind in our infrastructure and desperately need to catch up.

I am very pissed off at you flunkies that want to bring on yet another tax to our fuel. You all have nothing better to do than to raise taxes on everyone and hide it under a name like Cap and Trade or Carbon Neutral Funding crap. Enough taxes already. This carbon neutral is junk. Nothing but a scam or a scheme to steal more money out of the hard working taxpayers of this state and county. You can go take this and shove it up your carbon neutral backside and go get bent.

I strongly object to this initiative as it will only raise taxes and kill jobs and do absolutely nothing to stop the climate from changing. The climate has been changing for millions of years and for anyone to think they can affect it is crazy.