2/28/2020 |
Patrick |
Mckenzie |
none |
milton |
Vermont |
Support TCI. We need to do everything possible to protect our planet. Support TCI. We need to do everything possible to protect our planet. |
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2/28/2020 |
Terry |
Williams |
Rutland Regional Planning Commission |
Poultney |
Vermont |
I agree with the Transpiration Climate Initiative in concept, but not with the timing of it. Vermont is one of the most environmentally clean states already and will struggle to meet the goals... read more I agree with the Transpiration Climate Initiative in concept, but not with the timing of it. Vermont is one of the most environmentally clean states already and will struggle to meet the goals set by this plan. I include the following comments:
I. In Rural Vermont, this tax (that you say is not a tax) is discriminatory and will place an undue burden upon most lower and middle class citizens who are already working two jobs to make ends meet and pay their taxes. This initiative will drive more businesses and people out of Vermont.
II. Even with the incentive that Governor Scott has added to his budget to enable Vermonters to purchase an electric or hybrid vehicle, most Vermonters will not be able to afford to get out of their current car payment (usually a car with 150K miles on it that they are working another job to pay for) and purchase a new, electric vehicle. Also, there are no used electric or hybrid vehicles on the market now.
III. There is not an adequate mass transportation system available to enable people to get to Rutland to work an off shift. Even if there were, if someone was required to work an additional shift to provide additional funding support for their family, the current system doesn’t operate after 8:00 PM.
IV. Now that NH has dropped out of the regional initiative and NY has not committed to it, when the price of gasoline and diesel goes up because of TCI, Vermonters will simply go to those states to buy their fuels. You are naive to think that you will be able to force people to comply with your initiative. You probably haven’t noticed that fuel stations in the states along the Vermont border have been adding more gasoline pumps in anticipation of this CARBON TAX!
V. I understand that there is a plan for Vermont to sell carbon credits for businesses who don’t comply with this initiative. I also understand that the forests of our state which sequester the carbon will be used to calculate this carbon off-set. 89% of Vermont forest land is privately owned. You can’t sell carbon credits from trees that you don’t own. I own 250 acres of timber land. I asked the question last night; “Will the state pay me for my trees and the carbon they sequester” and was told that I didn’t own enough to be considered. I was also told that maybe if I joined with adjacent property owners to combine our acreage, that maybe the initiative would provide some offset to me. This seizure of property rights in unconstitutional and will not be allowed.
In 35 years we will run out of fossil fuel and we will have developed the technology to be mobile and competitive in a new world economy. Why do we have to comply with an unreasonable, futuristic standard now? We have already cut emissions and found alternative methods of going to meeting through advances of the internet. Workers are now able to telecommute to work and stay at home, work and care for their young children in the process.
Why don’t we develop a plan for phasing out the internal combustion engine over the next 10 years and let technology advance along the way so that when we get to the point of no fossil fuel, we can have everyone on board with the new plan? We can do this for the next 10 years as technology advance and our forests continue to sequester carbon from the other pollution sources in the world.
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2/28/2020 |
Dennis |
Casey |
Casey & Associates |
Groton |
Vermont |
I support TCI. Fossil fuel companies have been too slow to research and develop alternative fuels and this could help that process. I also think that we have a lot to gain from the investment of... read more I support TCI. Fossil fuel companies have been too slow to research and develop alternative fuels and this could help that process. I also think that we have a lot to gain from the investment of funds that Vermont will receive. Developing alternative transportation modalities, improving the ability to live closer to town centers and helping Vermonters to see the benefits of driving more fuel efficient vehicles are critical and can be assisted by TCI. |
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2/28/2020 |
David and Kathy |
Hooke |
Landowner - Building contractor - town leader |
Vershire |
Vermont |
Dear Governor Scott -
I strongly urge you to add Vermont to the TCI.
You have seen the analysis that monetarily Vermont stands to gain more than it will lose. These are compelling... read more Dear Governor Scott -
I strongly urge you to add Vermont to the TCI.
You have seen the analysis that monetarily Vermont stands to gain more than it will lose. These are compelling, and perhaps, motivation enough. But fundamentally, this TCI approach is the first truly credible, regional approach to bending the curve on emissions - and it is long past time that something like this be done. The ONLY thing that truly affects behavior across the whole population is the relative cost. Gas is at historically low prices right now, as a result of the fact that we do not include the external costs - to the environment, and society - in what people pay at the pump. Only if we start to make it that those external costs are included, will people have the incentive to change. I just so remember my friend Mike the logger, a classic practical Vermonter if ever there there was one, who talked about when gas prices spiked over $4/gal a few years ago. He said, you know, that got my attention. Used to be I'd think nothing of driving the 2500 down to the store to get a gallon of milk. So when gas got pricey, I planned my trips. Now it's cheap again, and I've forgotten...make it cost more again, and I'll be thoughtful. Vermonters who drive long distances to work ARE thoughtful, they are resourceful, and they know, deep down, this is something we have to do. There will be a long phase in of these changes. People will have time to adjust. I strongly urge you to take this step now. |
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2/28/2020 |
Thaddeus |
Cline |
Retired |
Westminster West |
Vermont |
I have problems with my property here Vt. Ticks, poison ivy, 7 invasive species of plants, 4 invasive species of bugs. And my state is going to loose much more now this coming spring to more... read more I have problems with my property here Vt. Ticks, poison ivy, 7 invasive species of plants, 4 invasive species of bugs. And my state is going to loose much more now this coming spring to more things caused by climate change .
Also we lose ski and our maple syrup industry’s and tourism because people don’t want to go outside to get ticks and poison ivy. Try fly fishing near those areas lots of times the better the fishing the worse those two problems are ( ticks and poison ivy google the facts please) Fly poles and reels go for thousands of dollars and well to do tourists that own them want to stay in nice bed and and breakfasts and hotels. That bring money to this state along with restaurants.
We simply most charge as much as we can for gas and oil from fossil fuels. Those companies that sell gas and propane can start selling electricity and hydrogen to make up for the lost sales . In the end the private sector will thank us all , for saving their businesses and jobs.
If Killington sky area can have 51 EV charging stations. So can other private sector businesses it will bring more money in then lose money.
It’s simple math . Let’s use simple math |
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2/28/2020 |
Jordan |
Giaconia |
Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility |
Burltington |
Vermont |
February 28, 2020
To: Governor Ned Lamont, Governor John Carney, Governor Janet Mills, Governor Larry Hogan, Governor Charlie Baker, Governor Chris Sununu, Governor Phil Murphy,... read more February 28, 2020
To: Governor Ned Lamont, Governor John Carney, Governor Janet Mills, Governor Larry Hogan, Governor Charlie Baker, Governor Chris Sununu, Governor Phil Murphy, Governor Andrew Cuomo, Governor Tom Wolf, Governor Gina Raimondo, Governor Phil Scott, Governor Ralph Northam and Mayor Muriel Bowser.
On behalf of Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR), I am writing to express strong support for the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) and comment on the draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU.)
Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility is a business association representing over 730 business members in every industry and every county across the state; united in our shared mission to advance an ethic that protects the natural, human, and economic environments of Vermont as a business thrives.
From global brands like Ben & Jerry’s and Burton to small startups like Mamava, VBSR members are some of the most successful and iconic businesses in our state, who together shape the Vermont brand. Of the top 25 companies in Vermont, 13 are VBSR members – including our champion members Green Mountain Power and National Life Group. Those 13 companies together earned over 9 billion dollars in revenue in 2012, according to Vermont Business Magazine.
In 2018, we surveyed our members on annual revenues – just under 50%, or about 185 companies, earn less than $500,000 a year. About 16% earn between $500,000 and $1 million a year, 9% earn $1 to 5 million a year, 7% earn $5-20 million a year, and 10%, or about 70 companies, earn over $20 million a year in revenue.
No matter their size our businesses recognize that our continued reliance on fossil fuels is triggering a climate crisis and stifling our economy. The longer we delay in taking action the more exacerbated these impacts become. For Vermont, the transportation sector accounts for nearly half of our carbon emissions and so it is imperative that we seize this rare opportunity to decarbonize our region’s transportation system with a strong, equitable TCI cap-and-invest program.
The potential benefits of this carbon pricing system make it a far cry from the gas tax opponents claim it will be. A cap and invest system would establish a limit on carbon emissions and a regional auction for participating states to sell their emissions allowances. They can then invest those revenues into cost-saving programs designed to reduce prices at the pump such as electric vehicle (EV) incentives, rural broadband to support remote work and telemedicine, bike and pedestrian infrastructure, public transit, and more. Conversely, a gas tax means higher costs at the pump without any palpable transportation or environmental benefit.
VBSR urges the working group to develop a program that will not only decrease climate pollution but use program revenues to address the needs of rural, low-income communities who are overburdened by vehicular pollution, transportation costs, and a lack of clean transportation options. These communities are often those most directly impacted by the adverse effects of climate change and as such should enjoy the strongest benefits of this program. Considering the different challenges each state faces in our region, we also call for strategic, state-by-state investments to be made to ensure equity.
The challenges rural, working Vermonters face are far different than those living in Boston, Baltimore, or Burlington, so it is essential that we give states the flexibility to invest program revenues into transportation solutions that serve their respective communities rather than take a one-size-fits-all approach.
The urgency to develop and implement TCI cannot be overstated and VBSR is pleased to see that the timeline outlined in the draft MOU reflects this. The initial compliance period launch on January 1, 2022 recognizes the need to take swift action while providing states with adequate time to elevate the program and prepare for participation.
Along that same line, we strongly urge that the working group adopt an emissions cap on transportation pollution at a pace and scale in line with science by requiring no less than a 25% pollution reduction in the first ten years from the program’s 2022 adoption. There is a clear consensus within the scientific community that significant, rapid pollution reductions are needed, and we implore you to consider pursuing even more ambitious greenhouse gas reductions moving forward as well as continuous programmatic evaluation of TCI to ensure its continued progression and efficacy.
Climate change is without question the single greatest threat to Vermont's communities, ecosystems, and shared way of life. Spring is arriving earlier, heavy rainstorms are becoming commonplace, and our summers are hotter and drier than ever. Meanwhile more frequent and severe storms cause floods that cost us millions in damaged property and infrastructure. From winter recreation and local food driven tourism to manufacturing and service industries, these changes disrupt nearly every facet of our state’s economy— and we can no longer afford half measures.
TCI offers one of the most promising opportunities to advance solutions that recognize our shared responsibility to take action, strengthen our economy and bring Vermont’s most vulnerable along in our climate future by reducing pollution from the transportation sector. We appreciate the opportunity to comment and your continued work to improve and implement a strong, equitable program.
Thank you,
Jordan Giaconia
Public Policy Manager
Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility
Jordang@vbsr.og
860-304-2251(mobile)
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TCI comment letter VBSR.pdf |
2/28/2020 |
Johanna |
Miller |
Vermont Natural Resources Council |
Montpelier |
Vermont |
Dear Honorable Governors, Mayor Bowser and Transportation & Climate Initiative Workgroup Members,
As organizations representing Vermont’s leading low income, business,... read more Dear Honorable Governors, Mayor Bowser and Transportation & Climate Initiative Workgroup Members,
As organizations representing Vermont’s leading low income, business, environmental, public health, and faith organizations, we thank you for the opportunity to comment on the draft Memorandum of Understanding for the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI), and for your continued leadership in exploring and advancing the development of a robust and equitable regional clean transportation policy.
The science could not be more clear: Our collective combustion of fossil fuels is warming our planet, and we risk severe costs and consequences from delayed or insufficient climate action. Swift, strategic solutions that reduce emissions in the transportation sector in particular – the largest source of our region’s carbon pollution – are imperative. There is a tremendous opportunity before us to design and implement a strong, equitable TCI cap-and-invest program.
As you embark on crafting a final MOU, we offer the following comments for consideration as critical components of a well-designed program that drives down climate-warming pollution, while also protecting and prioritizing underserved communities and other communities that are disproportionately burdened by vehicular pollution, the costs of the current transportation system, the lack of access to clean transportation options, and at highest risk for experiencing the negative impacts of a changing climate.
We offer the following comments and recommendations on the draft TCI MOU:
• Time is of the essence. We support the launch timeline outlined in the draft MOU, with the first compliance period for a regional TCI policy commencing no later than January 1, 2022.
• Ensure the program aligns with the science. We strongly urge the adoption of a regional transportation carbon emissions cap that requires at least a 25 percent reduction in carbon pollution over 10 years, starting with the program launch in 2022. Current climate science makes clear that serious pollution reductions are required, swiftly. Considering the urgency, we also urge considering more ambitious cap reduction levels that would provide even greater greenhouse gas reduction results, as well as other economic, equity, and public health benefits beyond those calculated in the modeling scenarios thus far.
• Enable strategic state-by-state investments and ensure equity. The ability for participating jurisdictions to have significant responsibility for determining how auction revenues are expended based on their unique needs is critical. Vermont is a very rural state. The needs of rural-living Vermonters are very different than for those living in Burlington or Boston. The ability for states to direct auction proceeds to support investments in transportation efficiency solutions that serve particular constituencies – such as rural Vermonters, low-to-moderate income earners or constituencies with unique transportation challenges – is essential. This kind of flexibility is important to help ensure equity and access to clean transportation solutions for everyone, which could range from direct incentives for vehicle electrification to innovative micro-transit pilots, bike and pedestrian investments, housing in and around our transit hubs and far more.
• Design for program performance. To ensure the program works well with a minimum level of performance and generation of auction proceeds in the early years of the program – affordably reducing transportation emissions – a minimum reserve price, or a price floor, is critical. We recommend setting a price floor consistent with allowance prices modeled in the 20 percent cap scenario, beginning at $6 per ton in 2022.
• Incorporate opportunities for program review and adaptation. Regular, rigorous program reviews are essential to maintain a strong program that enables flexibility and adaptability that considers current science, as well as other potential indicators that might warrant adjustments to the program design. We recommend that the first program review take place within three years of the program start, which, if commencing in 2022, would mean a program review in 2025 and every three years thereafter.
The Need for Complementary Policies
While a well-designed TCI program could help reduce the region’s collective carbon emissions significantly, far more work will be required. Identifying and implementing other complementary policies will be essential to aligning our emissions with what the science says is needed for a safe, habitable planet. We look forward to continuing to work with other TCI states, diverse and key constituencies, and all Vermonters to identify and advance that suite of additional strategies to complement TCI, finally putting us on the path to meet science-based climate pollution reduction targets we so desperately need to meet.
Conclusion:
Ongoing climate inaction puts our economies, public health, and quality of life at significant risk. TCI offers one of the most promising opportunities to make much needed pollution-reducing progress in the transportation sector. We thank you for considering this input and for continuing your work to refine and advance a strong, equitable, and flexible program that puts this region on a path to a 21st century, clean, affordable transportation system.
Sincerely,
Audubon Vermont
Capstone Community Action
Conservation Law Foundation
Lake Champlain Committee
Toxics Action Center
Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility
Vermont Climate and Health Alliance
Vermont Conservation Voters
Vermont Interfaith Power and Light
Vermont Natural Resources Council
Vermont Public Interest Research Group
Vermont Yankee Decommissioning Alliance
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TCI MOU-Joint VT Comments-2-28-2020.pdf |
2/28/2020 |
Maxwell |
Rye |
Middlebury College |
Middlebury |
Vermont |
See Attached See Attached |
Maxwell Rye TCI Public Comment.pdf |
2/28/2020 |
Marcy |
Murray |
South Burlington Energy Committee |
South Burlington |
Vermont |
As a city energy committee volunteer and concerned citizen, I urge Vermont leaders to join the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) instead of falling victim to short-term thinking.... read more As a city energy committee volunteer and concerned citizen, I urge Vermont leaders to join the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) instead of falling victim to short-term thinking. Regarding the latter, I respect those who fear any initiative that could potentially increase the daily expenses of people who are already finding it hard to make ends meet. However, if we don’t fervently harness the state government to explore opportunities--such as TCI--to address the climate crisis, people with fewer resources will be the primary victims of the resulting economic, health and safety-related suffering over the medium- to long-term timeframe.
Joining TCI will enable Vermont officials to continue to help design the program in a way that can potentially minimize the short-term effects on people with low incomes by, for example, making sure that the subsequent investments made possible by the logic-based carbon-related revenue are sound.
TCI is the single most important climate policy that Vermont can support in 2020 to help address Vermont’s largest source of climate pollution, i.e., transportation-related emissions. In addition to building upon the success of RGGI (Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative), which was joined by Republican Governor Douglas, the collaborative TCI effort would align with Governor Scott's previously stated desire of not having Vermont act alone on climate issues.
Given that Vermont’s current climate-crisis-related plans, though positive, aren’t significant enough to address the scope of the climate problem, it is crucial that Vermont participate in the next phase of TCI and work collaboratively to harness the power inherent in this regional effort.
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2/28/2020 |
PAUL |
SIPPLE |
NECCO Inc. |
WAITSFIELD |
Vermont |
I feel that further taxing fossil fuels is very counter productive. I think the US and the world would be much better served if we simply eliminated incentives and tax cuts for the production and... read more I feel that further taxing fossil fuels is very counter productive. I think the US and the world would be much better served if we simply eliminated incentives and tax cuts for the production and exploration of fossil fuel. |
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2/28/2020 |
Gabriel |
Desmond |
Middlebury College |
Middlebury |
Vermont |
I’m a young person. I’m afraid of climate change. It’s time to do something.
The Transportation Climate Initiative (TCI) is Vermont’s chance to do just that: take a meaningful... read more I’m a young person. I’m afraid of climate change. It’s time to do something.
The Transportation Climate Initiative (TCI) is Vermont’s chance to do just that: take a meaningful stance against climate change. It is great to see that Green Mountain Power will have 100% renewable energy in the next decade. This, in and of itself, however, is not enough. According to the TCI webinar hosted on December 17, 2019, 43% of the carbon dioxide emissions from the TCI region come from transportation. That is almost twice as much as from electrical power. Most Vermonters cannot afford an electric car, with or without subsidies from the government. That means the 43% of our emissions that come from transportation will continue to be emitted even if we have a carbon-free electrical grid.
But TCI is more than just a way to do something. It has the potential to be an effective policy. As per the executive summary, the TCI locks us into making a significant reduction in emissions. While these reduction goals are theoretically feasible without TCI, the initiative would eliminate any uncertainty. Given the volatility in our federal government, it is important that Vermont takes a stand and does not rely on federal policy to make these changes.
Additionally, by entering into TCI with an entire region of states, Vermont significantly reduces the potential for a harm to the economy. Look no further than the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) a similar cap-and-trade program which Vermont is already involved in. RGGI has already contributed 44,700 years of additional full-time employment, $5.7 billion in public health benefits, and saved customers a combined $773 million in energy bills, according to a report by economists at Analysis Group. RGGI, however, does not cover the emissions from transportation. As mentioned above, 43% of carbon emissions in the region come from transportation, making TCI an effective plan to address emissions not captured by RGGI.
As per the TCI Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the program will invest its proceeds into a variety of programs such as “air quality, public health, resilience, and more affordable access to clean transportation alternatives.” Investments in these sectors all have the potential to positively impact the community and economy. Pollution from cars can contribute to asthma attacks and other health issues. Healthier people have lower medical bills and miss fewer workdays, which can help bolster Vermont’s economy.
All of this is not to say that TCI is perfect. There is a completely valid fear that gas companies will simply offload the increased cost of operation onto the consumers. The MOU mentions the importance of ensuring that the program benefits those who “disproportionately bear the costs of the current transportation system” or “impacts of vehicular pollution and climate change.” Still, without more concrete plans for benefitting these communities, I fear that TCI will only be an additional burden on those who are already struggling with climate change. As such, when Vermont agrees to sign on to TCI, it is critical to have a robust plan to help these communities, including provisions such as rebates and investments in public services. There are ways to make sure that TCI is equitable and given that equity is a listed priority (3b) of the MOU, I do not think fear of increased gas prices should be an impediment to joining TCI.
Like many of my peers at Middlebury College, I was drawn to Vermont for its beautiful scenery and landscape. Climate change has the potential to change our state forever through warmer weather and increased flooding. I hope that when I have children, they will have the opportunity to see Vermont as I see it: vibrant and full of natural beauty. TCI is Vermont’s chance to act on climate before it’s too late, protecting our state for the next generation.
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2/28/2020 |
Sam |
Swanson |
Ascension Lutheran Church, Vermont Interfaith Power & Light, volunteer for So.Burlington Energy Committee |
South Burlington |
Vermont |
I recommend that Vermont join the Transportation Climate Initiative (TCI) that is being developed for states in this northeast region of our country.
We now know that climate... read more I recommend that Vermont join the Transportation Climate Initiative (TCI) that is being developed for states in this northeast region of our country.
We now know that climate emissions in Vermont have been increasing in the last two or three years despite a clear legislative and policy commitment to reduce these emissions. We also know that climate emissions from transportation account for the largest share of recent climate emission increases. We also know that transportation is an activity that may be addressed most effectively on multi-state, regional basis. And we have seen that the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative has proven to be an effective tool for reducing climate emissions from electricity generation.
I am a member of a church in South Burlington that sees the climate crisis as a moral crisis for all mankind and that we all have a responsibility to do what we can to reduce climate emissions. We have been at work for several years to walk our talk by reducing the climate emissions we contribute. Our church has with its own resources taken steps which, with help from Efficiency Vermont and Vermont Gas, enables us to reduce our carbon emissions associated with natural gas and electricity use by more than 50 percent. We want to address climate emissions from driving our personal vehicles but this requires support, just as Efficiency Vermont and Vermont Gas helped us with improving the energy performance of our church building and our individual home.
The TCI offers Vermont a potential source of revenues to support steps to reduce transportation emissions and to do so in way that will help most the people least able to afford newer, more fuel efficient, lower emission cars and trucks.
I ask that Vermont join in the emerging new TCI and to endorse actions by the TCI program that will help all Vermonters to reduce climate emissions resulting from our transportation activities.
It is now obvious that climate change is happening and causing very big impacts that include significant increases in annual rainfall in Vermont, warmer winters in Vermont which threaten the future of skiing in Vermont, accelerate the incidence of lime disease, and threaten the long term viability of our maple syrup industry. These impacts are the obvious ones that confront us in easy to observe ways. Scientists tell us that the Vermont forests, lakes, and wildlife communities are all being transformed by these changes in very negative ways.
It is also important to recognize that the TCI program can make big positive contributions to the State's economy. This has happened with energy efficiency activity, which is now a big Vermont employer, and the solar industry, which had until recently been a fast growing business in Vermont that provided jobs and produced income for Vermonters across the State. The Vermont Clean Energy Development Fund finances annual economic assessments of the clean energy sector and has with these annual studies has documented the large direct employment and income benefits of these clean energy businesses. The TCI can and should be harnessed to build upon this progress.
I urge that Vermont sign the TCI memorandum of understanding and commit the policy and program leadership needed to build an effective program. Such new programs require hard work to make them work and to avoid pitfalls. I plead for the Governor and the Legislature to do the hard work of negotiating an effective TCI program that will benefit Vermont and serve Vermont's stated commitment to achieving the Paris Climate Goals, which will benefit all mankind.
Thank you for this opportunity to comment.
Sam Swanson
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2/28/2020 |
Amelia |
Miller |
Middlebury College |
Middlebury |
Vermont |
According to the IPCC report from 2018, human activities have already resulted in a 1°C rise in global temperatures. They estimate that we have at most 10 years to get our act together. And by “... read more According to the IPCC report from 2018, human activities have already resulted in a 1°C rise in global temperatures. They estimate that we have at most 10 years to get our act together. And by “get our act together” I mean make thoughtful, definitive changes to make sure we have our best chance at a livable future. As a young adult who will be around for that future regardless, I urge you to sign on to the Transportation and Climate Initiative. I don’t feel the need to list off facts about why climate change is an issue or about how transportation is Vermont’s biggest contributor to greenhouse gases. You already know this. There is no longer a question of whether we need to do something to combat climate change, but rather, what should be done?
In human time, 10 years can seem like a lot, but in government, 10 years is not much time at all. As it is, the TCI will not be enacted until January 2022. The truth of the matter is that time is of the essence and TCI has great potential. Its formation and structure have many similarities to the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, in which Vermont has had great success. Since 2008, Vermont has received $21.4 million from RGGI and has been able to turn this into $95 million in energy savings for its people. It has also allowed Vermont to avoid more than 200,000 tons of CO2 in emissions. RGGI has given Vermont experience with cap-and-invest programs in cooperation with other states so that TCI will not be some experiment, but rather a proven system for success.
There are areas of TCI, however, that still need more consideration and solidification. Based on the proposed system of fuel suppliers purchasing allowances in TCI, it is understood that this cost will be passed on to consumers through roughly an 8-10 cent increase in price per gallon of gasoline. Because this will in many ways act as a regressive tax, it is important to understand and mitigate the impact it will have on low-income individuals in Vermont, specifically those living in rural areas that rely more heavily on cars. This could come through priority status in receiving rebates or increased rebates on electric vehicle purchases. Another option to consider is reducing gas prices for individuals that fall below a certain income and live in areas where their cars are their main form of transportation. This could be done through methods similar to gas promotions that many companies run where an input of a code or a sliding of a card can take 4-5 cents off of the gas price. Ultimately, while there is a valid concern that TCI will put a strain on lower income Vermonters, environmental destruction caused by climate change will have a greater impact on these individuals as well. Because of this, it is important that we look out for each other not only in the short term by considering ways to reduce financial burdens, but also in the long run by implemented systems like TCI to reduce the emissions that would lead to greater environmental destruction.
Additionally, just as with RGGI and Vermont’s investment in Efficiency Vermont, it will be important that the state invests the money received from TCI in an effective manner. Because of the success of Efficiency Vermont, I have full confidence in the state to repeat this behavior, but urge the state to look into sustainable transportation beyond just electric vehicles. While EVs will most likely play a big part in reducing transportation-based emissions, it will also be important to improve public transportation and increase bike paths and accessibility as alternative methods to achieving Vermont’s goals.
The jurisdictions involved with TCI will be remembered as pioneers in the fight for our future. And cooperation within this region of America will serve as a valuable reminder to our country and the world that together, we can achieve more. I urge Vermont to sign on to the Transportation and Climate Initiative and be a part of a cleaner, brighter future.
Thank you for your time.
Bibliography:
Gillis, Justin. “Would You Pay Higher Gas Prices to Slow the Climate Crisis?” The New York Times, 26 Feb. 2020.
IPCC. “Summary for Policymakers.” Global Warming of 1.5°C. An IPCC Special Report on the impacts of global warming of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels and related global greenhouse gas emission pathways, in the context of strengthening the global response to the threat of climate change, sustainable development, and efforts to eradicate poverty. World Meteorological Organization, Geneva, Switzerland, 2018.
RGGI, Inc. “The Investment of RGGI Proceeds in 2017.” The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative: An Initiative of the New England and Mid-Atlantic States of the US, 2019.
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2/28/2020 |
Sidra |
Pierson |
Middlebury College |
Middlebury |
Vermont |
Vermont’s Participation in the Transportation and Climate Initiative Has the Potential to Improve Equity While Protecting the Planet
Coming off of the recent decision to pass the... read more Vermont’s Participation in the Transportation and Climate Initiative Has the Potential to Improve Equity While Protecting the Planet
Coming off of the recent decision to pass the Global Warming Solutions Act, Vermont has the opportunity to further its environmental commitment by supporting the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI), a regional effort to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and improve sustainable transportation. The state must be a part of this undertaking, for the good of both the planet and its residents.
I chose to attend college in Vermont, over 3,000 miles from my home, because of the environment. I was not only drawn to the incredible natural beauty of the state, but also to the Environmental Studies program and Middlebury College. In my third year in the major, I’m spending a semester in an Engaged Community Practicum, thinking critically about public transit in the age of climate crisis. This perspective and sustained engagement with local stakeholders inform my understanding of the TCI, as does my childhood in an urban area where I depended on a (deeply flawed) public transit system.
The beauty of the TCI is that it takes the theories behind environmental justice and puts them into practice. The initiative holds the potential to provide incredible benefits to those who need them the most. The goal is to use a cap to reduce vehicle emissions (specifically on-road diesel and finished motor gasoline) and then invest the proceeds in measures to further reduce emissions and improve the quality and resilience of transportation. By targeting transportation, which contributes 43% of CO2 emissions in the TCI region, the program will combat climate change, which disproportionately impacts poor and marginalized groups.
The Draft Memorandum of Understanding for Stakeholder Input (MOU) highlights the program’s equity implications, pointing to increased accessibility and mobility as one key example. However, it must be acknowledged that the MOU is merely a sketch of what needs to become a much more robust plan. How exactly this outline is fleshed out has critical implications. When it comes to thinking about equity and the TCI, we must consider two dimensions: participation in process and distributive justice. Addressing these elements will alleviate most concerns about the TCI, but this has yet to be done sufficiently.
The Investments and Equity section of the MOU highlights the importance of thoughtful investment, of allowance proceeds, and of prioritizing transportation improvements for underserved communities. Significant concerns have been put forth about the potential for regressive effects of the TCI, and the writers of the MOU are right that proper investment can ensure that costs do not fall disproportionately on vulnerable groups. This is the case because Vermont’s low-income and aging populations share similar transportation obstacles, such as less access to personal vehicles. Therefore, investment in improved public transit options and pedestrian and cyclist safety will present benefits. Policy makers must make clear to the public exactly how they will invest proceeds in order to ensure that this program is progressive rather than regressive. In particular, this should include less emphasis on electric vehicles, which under the current investment scenario receive the largest share (30%). Rather than promoting infrastructures and ideologies centered around reliance on personal vehicles, the TCI must be more ambitious in investing in public transit. This is especially important considering the uncertainty around electric vehicle technology in rural, rugged landscapes.
It also must be clarified that distributional equity does not mean that benefits and burdens are evenly distributed across a population, but that those with the most constraints receive the most support. Furthermore, moving forward, policymakers must also demonstrate understanding of another core tenant of transportation equity, which is ensuring meaningful public involvement in the planning process.
Another key element regarding equity will be participation in the process. Policymakers must prioritize sustained public outreach to diverse demographics, and break down documents like the MOU in plain language to improve accessibility. Additionally, public transit programs and investments must be need-based, not demand-based. This may seem like semantics but the distinction means prioritizing justice and working towards accessibility by overcoming isolation.
Climate change demands rapid and expansive action to reduce emissions and adapt to exacerbated vulnerabilities. The scale of the TCI promises to do just that, harnessing technological and political tools already easily available. However, policymakers must sustain and expand upon their commitment to equity, proving to Vermonters and other residents in the region that the program will help rural, poor, and underserved communities.
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2/28/2020 |
Amelia |
Jones |
Middlebury College |
Middlebury |
Vermont |
As a senior Conservation Biology major at Middlebury College, this semester I am taking a class that focuses on transportation in Vermont. Over my time in college, I have learned from an array of... read more As a senior Conservation Biology major at Middlebury College, this semester I am taking a class that focuses on transportation in Vermont. Over my time in college, I have learned from an array of courses the dangers that vehicle pollution poses on human and non-human ecosystems. Fortunately for Vermonters, we have some of the best air quality in the country, with the American Lung Association ranking Burlington as one of the cleanest cities for year-round particle pollution.
Yet, we’ve all had a moment rolling down the window of a car, walking down the street in town, or just sitting peacefully outside, when we get a big mouthful of vehicle exhaust and think to ourselves, Ooh, that might not have been great for my lungs. And although we don’t always have these upsetting realizations each time a car goes by, every day we are exposed to some level of unavoidable air pollution. Tailpipe emissions, from passenger cars to 18-wheelers, send a variety of pollutants into the air that we all breath - nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter, to name a few.
Study after study shows that air pollution caused by motor vehicle exhaust has been directly linked to a variety of human health issues, including asthma, bronchitis, stunted lung development, and in more serious cases, premature death. Furthermore, this increased risk of health issues drags with it an increased medical bill for millions of Americans. With transportation responsible for emitting about 40% of Vermont’s GHGs and, as a result, impacting human health, it’s about time that the industry takes a look at what it is costing all of us, and takes action to change that for everyone.
In short, the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) seems to be proposing two things, both of which could improve our air quality, and thus our health. The first is to decrease motor vehicle emissions, and the second is to change behavior and incentivizing a move toward low-carbon / electric vehicles. In the Draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the TCI recognizes that “accelerating the transition to cleaner, more efficient transportation sector will improve public health… for all communities.” (p.3). This last piece is a necessary component of the TCI - that the “public” whose health will be improved is not solely the young, healthy, middle and upper class, but it is the low-income, disadvantaged, and disproportionately afflicted citizens as well.
Therefore, it is important to address where the TCI has room to improve. The Draft MOU resolves that Signatory Jurisdictions will be enabled to, “strategically invest in programs to help their residents transition to affordable, low-carbon transportation options that provide substantial public health benefits, reduce congestion, and increase economic and job opportunities.” The pursuit of a cap-and-invest program, rather than a cap-and-trade program, is promising (despite the quite blurry lines on buying offsets). However, the section that speaks to these investments, Appendix 3A, is upsettingly unclear. Wording such as, “invest the proceeds from the auction of allowances as determined appropriate by each Participating Jurisdiction to achieve TCI Program goals” and “to achieve CO2 emission reductions and other related TCI Program goals” (Appendix 3A), does not provide citizens much insight into what these investments might be. Citizens should be able to understand the investment process, as we are the ones electing the legislature that will then decide how the revenue from allowances will be invested.
In order to have a more robust TCI, it is necessary for the document to outline what investment options look like. As the TCI is pushing a movement towards electric vehicles, it must be responsible for supporting this movement. Therefore, investments should be made in infrastructure that provides charging stations to make the use of EVs feasible for Vermonters. Another solution is for the TCI jurisdiction to provide subsidies on electric vehicles in order to help and incentivize all citizens, particularly lower-income and disadvantaged community members, to transition to cleaner transportation alternatives.
The current TCI, however vague, does recognize the impact that it could have on improving public health of all Vermonters, yet it has much room to grow in defining a solution to get to that endpoint. What is important is that the TCI has the potential to be a step in the right direction towards stronger human and environmental health, as a future electric transportation sector would eliminate the tailpipe and GHG emissions that negatively impact our communities and the non-human entities that inhabit our ecosystems.
Sources:
Draft Memorandum of Understanding of the Transportation and Climate Initiative. (2019).
Brugge D, Durant JL, Rioux C. Near-highway pollutants in motor vehicle exhaust: a review of epidemiologic evidence of cardiac and pulmonary health risks. Environ Health 2007; 6: 23.
Gauderman WJ, Vora H, McConnell R, Berhane K, Gilliland F, Thomas D, Lurmann F, Avol E, Kunzli N, Jerrett M, Peters J. Effect of exposure to traffic on lung development from 10 to 18 years of age: a cohort study. Lancet 2007; 369: 571-577.
Meo, S. A., et al. Effect of motor vehicle pollution on lung function, fractional exhaled nitric oxide and cognitive function among school adolescents. European review for medical and pharmacological sciences 2019; 23: 8678-8686.
https://www.ucsusa.org/resources/vehicles-air-pollution-human-health
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TCI Public Comment.pdf |
2/28/2020 |
Gwendolyn |
Marsha |
Delegate for NEKO, Danville, 2/29 |
Marshfield |
Vermont |
I'd like to see an initiative built into the taxation that will be needed for this initiative to accommodate those in rural communities who would like to run a non-efficient vehicle for... read more I'd like to see an initiative built into the taxation that will be needed for this initiative to accommodate those in rural communities who would like to run a non-efficient vehicle for hauling necessities, but are rewarded for using it as minimally as possible, in comparison to their mass transit use. Community necessity, or personal/mileage? What are your plans? |
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2/28/2020 |
Matthew |
Burke |
Charlotte Energy Committee |
Charlotte |
Vermont |
The TCI should direct revenue toward the goal of providing free public transportation throughout the region. At minimum, this would involve fare-free bus service and commuter train service across... read more The TCI should direct revenue toward the goal of providing free public transportation throughout the region. At minimum, this would involve fare-free bus service and commuter train service across the region. An initial study should be performed to determine the revenue required to meet this goal, and the overall cost savings in terms of a comprehensive assessment that includes reduction in fossil fuel use, accidents and deaths, and other undesirable effects of the existing transportation system. |
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2/28/2020 |
Hope |
Richardson |
Earth Matters member |
Peru |
Vermont |
Vermont needs to play its part in the Transportation and Climate Initiative. We are past the deadline to lower carbon release and pollution standards. We need to act now to reduce pollution on... read more Vermont needs to play its part in the Transportation and Climate Initiative. We are past the deadline to lower carbon release and pollution standards. We need to act now to reduce pollution on every level possible. It can be done with enough support and initiative from all of us. So many individuals are attempting and we need our representatives to back us up. |
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2/28/2020 |
Joel |
Trupin |
none |
Marshfield |
Vermont |
Climate change is upon us and rapidly worsening. It must be stopped without delay. Climate change is upon us and rapidly worsening. It must be stopped without delay. |
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2/28/2020 |
Sarah |
Kotin |
Middlebury College |
Middlebury |
Vermont |
The TCI Would be Beneficial for Vermonters With a Grain of Salt
As an environmental studies student in Vermont, I have learned extensively about the climate crisis happening today while... read more The TCI Would be Beneficial for Vermonters With a Grain of Salt
As an environmental studies student in Vermont, I have learned extensively about the climate crisis happening today while experiencing what transportation is like in a rural state. I believe that this transportation initiative, while not a final or extensive enough solution for all of the issues regarding climate change, would begin to make a difference so long as marginalized communities are taken into account properly. According to the U.S. Energy Information Center data collected in 2017, transportation is the leading emitter of CO2 from the area encompassed by the TCI proposal, making this an important sector to target as they have bee left out of past initiatives, such as RGGI. Simply by taking a step to reduce these emissions, these areas can demonstrate a clear commitment to the mitigation of climate change and make a significant difference. This plan may be extremely helpful in actively participating in the climate change movement, but it needs to keep in mind the idea of environmental justice while doing so in order to be an effective and beneficial program.
The section in the TCI Memorandum of Understanding regarding “equity” and the language around disadvantaged communities are minimal, leading to reasonable concern that the vagueness of this initiative will lead to further marginalization of low-income or underprivileged communities. While this plan of “cap and invest” could be extremely helpful in discouraging the emission of CO2 and collecting money to use for other climate change mitigation tactics and improvements to infrastructure, there can be concern that those who are the least able to pay would be bearing the brunt of this fee. However, because of the invest concept, these groups of Vermonters could experience great rewards in addition to climate change mitigation if the investments are used for things such as increased public transport or other programs that improve life quality.
The California Climate Investments project, which enacted a similar cap and investment policy in 2015, was able to invest $690 million dollars in priority populations in 2019 alone. These investments went into projects including affordable housing, zero-emission vehicles, and “improved mobility options;” all of these concepts could be extremely helpful to people who would be subject to higher prices for gas due to the cap portion of this plan. The affordable housing options could help create more urbanized centers that would allow for easier mobility, which is a goal emphasized in Vermont’s plans for transportation improvement. Increased access to zero-emission vehicles and improved transit systems would directly assist people who may already be suffering from lack of transportation access.
Because Vermont is such a rural state, many individuals rely on private transportation methods to go to work or school. A report in 2015, however, by the Vermont Transportation Board, reported that driving habits in Vermont decreased by 8.4% from 2007 to 2015, showing that the number of people driving single occupancy vehicles has been decreasing. While there may be varying reasons for this decline, it indicates that there may be a need for an increase in public transportation infrastructure, including extended bus routes. The investment aspect of the TCI plan could be extremely beneficial in providing this needed increase in public transportation. Therefore, a key aspect of making this initiative successful and equitable would be requiring these beneficial investments to be made within a reasonable time from when people begin to be impacted by the increasing prices.
Because transportation is a huge emitter of CO2 in the proposed TCI region, targeting this aspect of infrastructure is key to both making a difference and demonstrating commitment to climate change mitigation. However, this is where the grain of salt comes in as I believe that this proposal would benefit from a more specific policy regarding the use of funds raised by the cap and investment proposal. If the TCI or the states involved in the agreement were to specify options for where the funds would be used and determine how to best mitigate the time-lag that could occur between increased prices and providing funding for beneficial programs, then the TCI would be a much stronger proposal that could help people in more ways than one. Overall, this program should be supported with the understanding that the vague language leaves room for and also a need for an environmental justice aspect.
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