TCI Regional Policy Design Stakeholder Submissions

Please design a regional low-carbon transportation policy proposal that would cap and reduce carbon emissions from the combustion of transportation fuels through a cap-and-invest program or other pricing mechanism.
Please complete the policy development process within one year, after which each jurisdiction will decide whether to adopt and implement the policy.

And please hurry! Our soil-based carbon sinks are not yet keeping pace.

Thanks for your attention to this.

I demand a strong program that invests in public transportation, biking, walking, and prioritizes equity. My state should get involved with the climate change fight.

Please work toward:

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

Thank you.

Our world is LITERALLY ON FIRE. There can be no denying we have instigated a climate crisis and must take immediate action to mitigate the worst effects of it. Enacting a TCI program that addresses our carbon footprint and modes of transport is one way we can begin to do just that. Please do all you can to ensure we place a cap on carbon emissions (of at least 25%) by 2030, increase (by more than 35%) the minimum investment in overburdened and underserved communities, and invest in active transportation like better sidewalks, bicycle infrastructure, and high quality public transit. Together we MUST find and implement multiple solutions in order to maintain a habitable climate for life on earth. Thank you for doing your part.

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

Hello,

I'm listening to the 5/23 webinar, and mostly watching the TCI process somewhat from the periphery. Here are my comments and my interest.

Comments:
I support how the analysis of baseline transportation looked at EIA's NEM as well as other sources. My impression is that EIA's predictions have been very poor, missing some big trends, especially longer-term trends, like growth of renewable energy.
Given my interest in heavy-duty fleets (see below), I look forward to hearing more about something other than EVs, and how those non-EV options would be monetized in TCI. Looking at modeling done for Vermont's Comprehensive Energy Plan, climate goals are reached with biofuels, not just electrification. I assume that GHG emissions from heavy-duty and medium-duty fleets are non-trivial in the Northeast, and electrification in these fleets seems immature compared to passenger EVs and light-duty EVs. What can you do to model this the medium-duty and heavy-duty sector?? E.g. what are the recent history and trends for natural gas and RNG, in usage and in which types of vehicles? I assume DOE's AFDC has the data.

My Interest:
Being in the agricultural sector, and with Vermont's biogas potential from dairy manure, I am intent on getting RNG produced and used as a way to support farms and offset GHG emissions. The Agency of Agriculture and others will analyze the statewide potential, using existing digesters, which process only 10% of Vermont's dairy manure, and new digesters. Back of the envelope, I estimate 500-1000 Class 8 trucks could be operated on RNG from Vermont's dairy manure.
Please remember that the global warming potential of methane is ~25x of CO2 in the 100-year time frame, but it is ~85x CO2 in the 25-year timeframe. Used in transportation, RNG from dairy manure is strongly carbon-negative: -276 gCO2e per MJ. Electricity is 20-40 gCO2e/MJ (see slides 7-9 of the attached presentation).

I'm glad to discuss as necessary.

I appreciate the opportunity, thank you.

Alex

Transportation and heating represent the bulk of Vermont’s carbon emissions. To reduce our use of fossil fuels most economists say we need a steadily rising carbon emissions fee (with revenue returned to households). Technology exists now that will allow us to electrify almost all our energy use, including transportation, heating, farming and industry. Most of Vermont”s electricity is already created from wind, water, and solar (and a little bit of cow power). A price signal plus additional incentives will encourage people to make a quick transition to an all-electric, all-renewables world.

This seems like a plan that has some potential to make change in Vermont. I hope that it moves forward.

Copied and gave presentation to Essex Economic Development Committee. They loved my idea of making Saxon Hill Road a Greenway Linear Park as this already pristine, well maintained gravel public road, is an effective means of connecting people with their jobs in Saxon Hill Business District, school, and the land the Town now owns. The Greenway concept is a response to a Town severely fragmented. It would serve as an access by foot, bike, electric bike or ski not only to get to businesses in Saxon Hill Business District, but connects one another with the 90 acre school property, the new 225 acres gifted to Essex for passive recreation and connects all portions of Saxon Hill Road with one another. Our Town outside the Village community has fragmented neighborhoods, Saxon Hill Business District to Jericho line becoming very populated but, our parks, wet lands, playgrounds, trails, public gravel roads, and other open spaces, are scattered; to many people, accessible only bar car. This Greenway concept which has maybe 6 houses at most with long driveways, focuses on reconnecting our recreational carbon free lifestyle that most millennials want, in order to decide if they want to live here. The question is: how convenient will you make it for them? I gave presentation on why millennials are leaving Vermont, and how a simple concept of putting up Greenway signs to connect Saxon to Thompson Dr., Allen Martin all within the Saxon Hill Business District would be a millennial magnet. Most of living here no matter what age or background are demanding quality of life worth living and
Demand Carbon Free Lifestyle. Thank You, Patty Davis