TCI Regional Policy Design Stakeholder Submissions

Transportation is the largest source of air pollution in the region, and 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, and the more lives we save. Colorado should join TCI to fund better transportation infrastructure, reduce traffic, and make my community a cleaner, safer place to live.

To Whom it May Concern:

I am a strong supporter of the The Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI), a collaboration of twelve states and D.C. that would cap transportation emissions and auction emissions allowances. This is a once in a generation opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and raise much needed revenue to modernize our transportation system on a regional scale.

I recently moved away from Maryland, but as a resident for over five years, I thank Governor Hogan for his leadership in supporting TCI and request that Maryland formally join the program. I ask that leaders of the TCI choose the most aggressive greenhouse gas reduction targets- as current scientific studies show that we need.

I also urge that the policy prioritizes clean investments in all of Maryland's communities overburdened by pollution and for those who do not have access to transportation choices.

Thank you for your time,
Kimberly Grubert

We need to keep our air clean & climate change under control any bit will help. We don’t want Colorado to be come like some of the big cities around the country.

I am writing to ask for the following:

-A cap on carbon emissions of at least 25% by 2032
-An increase in the minimum investment in overburdened and underserved communities (>35%)
-Request that investments be put towards active transportation like better sidewalks, bicycle infrastructure, and high quality public transit

I'd like to see policies that encourage consumers to choose electric vehicles over internal combustion engines. This could be done through carbon pricing, tax incentives, or perks given to drivers of EVs (preferred parking, discounted tolls, HOV lanes, etc.)

•I am a concerned citizen who would like my grandchildren to inherit a livable earth & climate.
•The carbon price must be high enough to have the desired effect of reducing carbon emissions.
•There should be a strong component of social equity
•I think it is excellent that this project is bipartisan.

I am writing today to express my support for a strong carbon pricing policy in the transportation sector.
As a mother of three, I am very concerned if we can turn around and take action on climate change in time to avert the worst effects on our kids and grandkids. Having lived in Europe for a long time, I follow their efforts to reign in green house gas emissions closely, and I am glad that in the US, states and cities are finally getting on board and taking regional initiatives of their own.

I am thrilled to hear that the Transportation Climate Initiative is developing a policy that would put a price on carbon for our transportation sector. I am grateful and very optimistic for this policy, as it is a bipartisan endeavor.
In order for the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern states to achieve our necessary climate goal, pricing Carbon is a genial first step. The policy needs to
- put a price on carbon high enough to effectively decrease emissions (new technology enables higher efficiency, less consumption, but only if the old way gets more inconvenient or too expensive), and this price needs to be based on the latest science.
- Furthermore, the new policy needs to make sure that rural or low income populations are not hurt disproportionately.
The Citizens’ Climate Lobby has been working in a similar carbon pricing nation wide for years now. Please inquire how their model (clear, transparent pricing over 10 years, with the dividend distributed to all Americans equally) can inspire the new policy to be adopted by the TCI.
Thank you for taking my comments,
Adelheid Koepfer
35 Whiffle Tree Road
Wallingford, CT 06492

Putting a price on carbon has been the main suggestion of many leading economists as a means of reducing carbon emissions. The price should be high enough to have the desired effect of curbing carbon emissions. In addition, the price should be increased over time in order to encourage people to move to renewable energy sources. The bi-partisan nature of this initiative illustrates that this is a universal problem that affects us all throughout the world and we must all work together to resolve this crisis.

Thank you for soliciting input and for working together and hard on this super-important issue. Aileen Nowlan at the Environmental Defense Fund can provide up-to-the-minute information on this topic and about hyper-local pollution measurement. Please contact her.