TCI Regional Policy Design Stakeholder Submissions

The focus on equity for the Transportation and Climate Initiative’s cap and invest program is absolutely vital to program design. However, the program should not also forget that the program should lead toward a price on carbon emissions that approximates the social cost of carbon. Otherwise, the TCI will not fulfill its purpose and contribute toward achieving commitments under the Paris Climate Agreement.

Hello, my name is Jared Fernandez and I am an individual based in Massachusetts. Though not based in the great state of Maine, I travel quite often to the state via train and car.
I'd like to strongly express my support TCI, and loudly applaud Governor Mills for participating in the regional design process.
I firmly believe that the policy as currently constructed reflects the best and latest available science on climate emissions from transportation -- and ultimately, if we are not basing policy on science, then the policy is faulty.
It is also critical that the policy have a strong component of equity that ensures that low-income, rural, and aging populations are not hurt by this program.
I love that TCI is largely a bipartisan issue -- but also want to express my concern with many of the comments put forward by people with oil & gas industry associations, as well as those who simply argue that any attempts to address our communities contributions to climate change are somehow a form of corporate greed or government authoritarianism. When we look back at this juncture in history in 50 years, do we want to admit that we fell for misleading industry talking points and avoided taking action to address the greatest threat facing our communities, economy, and ecosystems? I strongly encourage all policy makers to rise to the occasion and ensure TCI becomes a reality.
As a state, Maine spends an average of $5 billion annually on oil and gas that leaves the state economy and goes into the hands of giant fossil fuel companies. Maine will not meet its climate goals, nor will any other state in the Northeast region, unless they can tackle transportation emissions.

Transportation is required for most jobs in Maine, particularly outside the larger denser population centers. But Maine is also greatly at risk from our low average income and sensitivity to petroleum based fuel prices. Maine is particularly sensitive to the health impacts of air pollution and many sectors of our economy are already feeling impacts of climate change. It is essential to our ability to thrive that clean transportation be a high priority and that funding be available to help rural Maine communities and residents take part, and not be left behind. Here in Somerville our quality of place depends on the ponds, streams, woods, farms and habitat. Yet 31% of people commute between 40 and 90 minutes, and overall, townspeople average about 30 minutes to commute to work, and nearly the same to visit a market. We need affordable clean transportation solutions.

Transportation pollution is the region and the nation's single largest source of carbon pollution, which threatens the long-term security of every community from the neighborhood scale all the way to the planetary scale. Transportation pollution also constitutes an immediate public health hazard in the form of particulate air pollution. I request that Massachusetts formally join this initiative to develop a clear and aggressive plan to reduce transportation emissions.

Furthermore I ask that the initiative's policies advance social and health equity by prioritizing clean transportation investments in communities that are overburdened by pollution and/or don't have access to clean transportation options.

At a time when America's federal government is incapable of addressing the nation's problems, including transportation pollution and equity, I am grateful that the leadership of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states is taking bipartisan, common-sense action to demonstrate transportation and climate leadership where the federal government cannot. I and your other constituents are putting our faith in you to find just means of addressing this existential threat to the future of our region, our nation, and our planet.

As an Economist, having worked in the Energy and Environmental fields specifically for over a decade, I am well aware that mechanisms like the TCI are well-designed policies that have proven records of success. RGGI boasts reduced emissions as well as economic benefits for the regional participants. Transportation is the sector most in need of policy focus for emissions reductions, and we need every tool in our quiver to arrive at a zero-emissions future. The TCI is a necessary part of that progression. I strongly support the TCI as a citizen, an environmentalist, and as an economist.

We need to support the TCI program to build a clean, safe, and accessible transportation system for Massachusetts.

We need a comprehensive transportation plan in New England that will lower greenhouse gases. States cannot operate as if they are a separate unit.

I am in support of the most aggressive possible solutions to address climate change through overhauling transportation infrastructure. Don't be bowed by the fearful complaints of shortsighted commenters. Be brave and work toward all-encompassing and forceful solutions to this, THE issue of our generation.

Thank you for you time.

Sincerely,
Matthew Heck

To disregard the potential dangers of climate change by those with the responsibility and authority to take reasonable precautions to mitigate these dangers is nothing short of a crime against humanity. Certainly, the detrimental effects of clogging our air and water and earth with greenhouse gasses, particulate matter, various chemical byproducts, many of which are toxic not only to humans but other organism in the ecosystem upon which humans rely for their own health, welfare, and even survival, are already reshaping life on the planet. However, it is all too easy to disregard climate change since the effects seem so small and distant in terms of either time or geography (ie a mere 2˚C, or effects which tend to occur in poor regions, or effects that will not substantially impact most people's lives for decades to come). But as moral and ethical creatures, we have an imperative to leave the planet in as at least as good a condition as we first inherited it. It would be breathtakingly selfish, inhumane, and ignorant for us not to act and act swiftly to protect the lives of every single living creature that will ever exist. Yes, that is unarguably what is at stake. The health and wellbeing of every single organism and conscious creature that will ever exist. The number of human beings yet to be born and live on this planet FAR outweighs the number currently living or even the total number that has ever lived. Any hardship or sacrifice we must make, which we should think of as an investment in the health and welfare of our children, our grandchildren, and indeed all of our descendants for as long as our race shall continue to exist, will yield dividends that will dwarf any sacrifice we must make to ensure a safe and habitable future for our species.

As far as how any of this relates to the TCI regional pliocy now under consideration, there are so many steps that can be taken to improve public transportation infrastructure which don't even really require great sacrifice, but will actually improve our current economy and quality of life, which simultaneously benefit the environment and address all of the overriding concerns stated above. For example, rail transportation is much more efficient per passenger mile than car, bus, or air travel. If we made a commitment to using only renewable energy (such as solar or wind generated electricity to power these systems), then we would be expanding the economy to develop new technology, addressing wealth inequality by providing a more comprehensive public transportation system, reducing wasted human hours in inconvenient and inefficient existing transportation systems), and make an enormous contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. There are countless examples of efficiencies to be found. Another example is that the more people utilize public transportation, the more we can reduce real estate devoted to roads and parking and create bike paths and greenspace which in turn contribute to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The examples are endless. It is a no brainer. Of course it is a big investment, but it will pay dividends for countless generations to come and most of us will see the benefits within our own lives both in terms of improvements to the environment (air quality in particular), and economic benefits. Please work towards making the most comprehensive, efficient, cost effective, evidence based system that you have the power to make. You have a responsibility not only to your constituency, but to humanity.