TCI Regional Policy Design Stakeholder Submissions

I'm not sure what to do about this. I'm definitely committed to reducing carbon emissions, but I'm also not in a financial position to run out and buy an electric car.

I attended an informational meeting regarding the initiative and am impressed at the detail and processes that are apparent that will make it plausible. Vermont is a leader in ways to promote sustainable changes that positively impact our environment, we need to do this.

For the past decade, I have been deeply involved in developing concrete policy and investment solutions to address climate change in Vermont in a manner that can both contribute to our economy and ensure affordability for its citizens. I am an economist with 30 years experience in this field (20 at the World Bank), a core member of Governor Scott's Climate Action Commission, a member of VCRD's Climate Economy Action Team, and a Senior Fellow at the Energy Action Network (advising on the recent publication of "Cap and Invest: A Review of Policy, Design, and Models and their applicability in Vermont").

I say all of this because I do not come to this recommendation lightly. The decision to join TCI is a big one and deserves careful consideration. Having studied this question extensively over the past several years, not only in Vermont but also in a number of other jurisdictions, I can say unequivocally that joining TCI is the most fundamental way for Vermont to make genuine progress in meeting our energy, climate, economic and affordability goals.

TCI presents a unique opportunity to focus on the single greatest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Vermont, and the one that keeps GROWING - transportation - in a way that builds on the success of our nation's first successful Cap and Invest program (RGGI - started under Jim Douglas), and in a way that generates the revenue needed to invest in clean transportation solutions that focus on those who need it most. RGGI allowed Vermont to join others in the region to focus on dramatically reducing BOTH greenhouse gas emissions (by 40%) in the electric sector while ALSO reducing consumer costs. Vermont has strategically invested the revenues raised from RGGI, directing the $2 million annually into weatherization programs that help Vermonters stop wasting energy and save money. That is good for our environment, our economy AND for affordability. But it only covers the electric sector, which accounts for only about 10% of our overall GHG emissions. TCI would focus on the elephant in the room - our vehicles - which account for 44% of our emissions, and is growing rather than declining.

Importantly, by joining TCI, Vermont would not have to go it alone. Like RGGI, we would join others who have already committed to reducing their carbon pollution, thereby increasing the impact of emissions reduction AND the ability to generate revenue to invest in the systemic changes that need to occur in the transportation sector to improve access and electrification. In fact if we DO go it alone by NOT joining TCI, we would be putting ourselves in jeopardy by cutting off a substantial source of revenue that we desperately need to address fundamental issues of access and equity in transportation that we currently face.

Research shows that no jurisdiction (State, region, country) in the world has made the progress needed to reach significant GHG reductions without some form of either Cap and Invest or carbon pricing policy in place. By capping pollution, we can guarantee the pace at which our progress can be made, while allowing the participating entities to decide on their own how to reduce their emissions. When looking at successful examples of Cap and Invest in the US and Canada (e.g.,RGGI, California and Quebec), it is clear that each has demonstrated that a triple win is possible: reduced emissions, increased economic output (compared to non-participating jurisdictions) and revenue that can equitably accelerate the transition to a clean energy economy.

Finally, we all know that there are insufficient revenues available in our current budget to address the issues of access and equity in the transportation sector, and certainly not enough to electrify the sector at the pace needed to reach our climate goals. We continue to place our most vulnerable citizens - our children - on diesel-emitting schoolbuses every day, causing increasing levels of health issues and pollution. Our rural population has little to no access to public transit. Our low- and middle- income population cannot afford to switch to electric vehicles. TCI offers the possibility of generating additional revenues to address some of these critical issues while also reducing our collective climate pollution.

I am grateful for all the effort that Vermont has put into the discussions surrounding TCI so far. I am also grateful to the Scott administration for creating a Climate Action Commission which strongly recommended joining a Cap and Invest program for the energy sectors not yet covered by RGGI. Now is the time to act on all the important groundwork that has been laid. I urge Vermont to join others who are actually doing something concrete to make a difference for our future. We know this type of policy works. Please do it.

There is no doubt that climate change is the single biggest threat to our economy, to affordability, to our very survival. I notice the changes around me each and every day, and it breaks my heart to think of what we are leaving to our children. I hear them talking about how irresponsible it would be for them to bring children into this world, how they see the window closing in on them. We all know the time is short, and the time to act is now. So let's do it.

TCI is not nearly ambitious enough given the scale of the climate emergency. However, if specific policies are clearly defined by TCI it will provide a start in the right direction. Given that Vermont gets all of our fossil fuels from other states, we should clearly join TCI, but must create policy that ensures equity for lower-income and rural Vermonters.

Vermont TCI should include:

-A mechanism to mitigate the impacts of TCI on low-income populations in rural areas with acknolwedgment that rural consumers must use more fossil fuels in order to get to work and commerce centers

-Higher EV and renewable energy rebates for low-income residents

-Increased weatherization funding for low and moderate income Vermonters and access to renewable energy sources via community solar development

-Development of safe roads for biking and walking, and focus on smart growth centers

-Investment in agricultural and natural responses to the climate emergency including carbon farming and forest health, acknowledging the impact of higher fuel rates on farmers, sugarmakers and others who work in agricultural and forestry professions


-Investment of TCI funds in clean energy, energy efficiency, and more robust public transportation to expand career opportunities and make jobs more accessible. The Vermont Green New Deal aims to do this, and is an essential part of all Vermont climate legislation.

TCI Comments 2.28.20
I believe that we are not doing enough to address climate change. Whether TCI will accomplish the intended results is very uncertain. For example, expecting electric vehicles to significantly reduce climate change gases [cgc] is not certain, since it depends on the energy source of the electric recharge, which is dependent on the time of the 24-hr day cycle. The most efficient recharge would come directly [I.e., direct current] from a solar panel. However, for various bureaucratic reasons this cannot be done.
Uncertainty is also caused by the fact that major fracking is occurring across the US, except the east coast itself and New England. This fracking is producing significant cgs, which are carried eastward, and northerly, by the predominant air flows. TCI will do nothing to address this problem from fracking, as well as the other problems from fracking.
Needed is a comprehensive model of how to address not only climate change but also create sustainability. This model has to demonstrate how the collective “we” can move society in a short period of time from a consumptive society to a sustainable one, with low carbon waste gases. It will address social and environmental justice, by moving each of us higher on the Maslow model, resulting in a culture that has a higher quality of life for all.

We say Yes to this proposal.
It is a good start and shows good intention.
We must work together, we must be serious and effective.
Good work.

As a concerned citizen and coordinator of the Conference “Responding to the Climate Crisis with 2020 Vision,” and its Follow Up Meeting, held on January 11th and Feb. 9th, I have become increasingly aware of the devastation Climate Change is already causing to our planet and the scientific basis that grounds analyses of its impending destruction of the world as we know it, unless we take dramatic action, at least by 2030. We now know that the transportation sector is one of the highest contributors of carbon emissions in the atmosphere, almost 50% in Vermont, the major cause of this crisis.

Thus, I urge Vermont to participate in the Transportation and Climate Initiative so that all Vermonters, and residents in the other states involved can “get where they need to go,” and not pollute the planet irreparably. 

Vermont, like other states, desperately needs additional funding to create innovative, equitable transportation options for all, including seniors/people with disabilities/people with low incomes, for whom transportation costs and accessibility are an added burden. TCI can provide this support.

As you know, Vermont’s participation in a cap and invest program is not new. Under Governor Jim Douglas, Vermont joined the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) in 2008. This cap and invest program covers the electric sector in the Northeast, and it has proven very successful, reducing consumer costs and carbon pollution from the power sector by 40%. 
Vermont has strategically invested the revenues raised from RGGI, directing the $2 million annually into weatherization programs that help Vermonters stop wasting energy and save money. We know this type of project works — there is no excuse not to adopt TCI as well.
TCI provides the opportunity to tackle the biggest problem of our day — climate change — by reducing emissions in our state’s most carbon-intensive sector, while diverting funds into much-needed transportation infrastructure that will benefit all.

Let’s seize this opportunity to make monumental progress in confronting this crisis, before it’s really too late.
Thank you for reading this comments. May your decision be one that benefits us all and our home, our planet .

It is imperative that we adopt TCI. Because of the way that Vermont acquires fuel from surrounding states which will be increasing the cost of Vermont's fuel. It is best to join TCI and receive the monetary benefits of the program to allow Vermont to invest in new programs that will further reduce our carbon footprint.

The TCI makes a lot of sense for Vermont and we need to get this through the state house as soon as possible in order to meet the 2020 deadline and put it into effect in 2022. Time is of the essence. The TCI is equitable and will take into consideration the frontlines communities in Vermont. It is fair to the fossil fuel companies who will transition to a Cap and Invest program gradually. It allows Vermont to be part of a regional initiative with other NE states and by doing so, will receive monies to help those who most need it. I say "yes" to the TCI.