TCI Regional Policy Design Stakeholder Submissions

This is mandatory! And needs consideration immediately!!! If we ignore Climate Change and do not address it head on our world will be imperile.

I urge Governor Scott to sign on to the Transportation Climate Initiative. The largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in Vermont is the transportation sector. The increasingly evident negative affects of climate change highlight an urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Vermont would benefit from being a part of the TCI to encourage a reduction in carbon emissions from transportation. Proceeds from the TCI would benefit low and moderate income Vermonters and help incentivize public transportation and electric vehicles. As an EV owner, I am aware of the many benefits of EVs, including less vehicle maintenance, no smelly trips to the gas pump, and less expensive operating costs. I would like more Vermonters to have access to EVs.

“…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… [and]… to complete the policy development process within one year, after which each jurisdiction will decide whether to adopt and implement the policy.”, stop burning coal! youd be better of burning trash! we want solar and wind! electric cars must be made affordable!

It is in Vermont's and the planet's best interest to join the Transportation and Climate Initiative. Number one: We need to do everything we can to slow down the warming of the planet for obvious reasons. Also, the only Vermont can recoup its investment in TCI is for us to join it. Please enroll Vermont in this initiative. Thank you.

From my understanding, this will give us an opportunity to have additional funds to invest in forward thinking energy which we desperately need to do. In addition, not joining will be like leaving money on the table! Please make sure VT joins the TCI!!!

We are in support of all efforts to reduce carbon emissions and feel that any action taken in that direction is a step towards collectively caring for our planet.

Governor Scott, please let Vermont join this organization for the love of the earth!
Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) states are developing a regional policy for low-carbon transportation following the December 18, 2018, statement by nine states and Washington DC committing to:

“…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… [and]… to complete the policy development process within one year, after which each jurisdiction will decide whether to adopt and implement the policy.”

I don’t support this. It will hurt low and middle class families and local businesses. It will drive more people out of Vermont and hurt our economy.

I am writing to encourage Gov. Scott to join TCI today.

Whether or not Vermont joins TCI, we will pay. TCI will require fossil fuel depot operators to purchase an allocation for the amount of pollution their products cause. As the Deputy Secretary of the Agency of Natural Resources explained, Vermont imports 100% of its gasoline and diesel from fuel depots located in other states. While depot operators could absorb these costs out of their profits, it is anticipated that they will pass most, if not all, of their obligation expenses onto downstream distributors. If, as seems likely, some of the states Vermont imports fossil fuels from join TCI then Vermont distributors will be burdened with TCI’s compliance costs and they, in turn, will pass those costs onto consumers whether or not Vermont joins the compact.

If Vermont joins TCI, the State will receive more revenue for investments than Vermonters contribute to the program. As currently contemplated, the proceeds from depots buying allowances will be distributed to TCI states based on the volume of transit fuels sold within each jurisdiction. This design works in Vermont’s favor since, as Scott Administration officials estimated at the recent public meetings, 20-25% of the gasoline and on-road diesel sales in Vermont are sold to out-of-state travelers. That means that for every dollar Vermonters contribute, the State will receive as much as $1.25-$1.33 for 21st Century transportation investments.

Taken together, these points make joining TCI a no-brainer, and refusal to join a disservice to Vermont’s economy. Vermonters will pay either way, but if we’re in we’ll receive back more than we put in.