2/21/2020 |
Cedar |
Stanistreet |
Vermont resident |
Brattleboro |
Vermont |
Please work to create a TCI policy that brings more public transit to the northeast! Reducing climate damaging emissions from transportation should be a number one priority for Vermont. Currently... read more Please work to create a TCI policy that brings more public transit to the northeast! Reducing climate damaging emissions from transportation should be a number one priority for Vermont. Currently the public transit options are severely lacking between Brattleboro/Keene/Greenfield/Amherst, and this is an area where many people would be able to use a bus instead of driving I-91. |
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2/21/2020 |
Karen |
Bufka |
resident of Vermont |
St. Johnsbury |
Vermont |
I am in favor of Vermont's participation in the regional Transportation and Climate Initiative. It makes sense for Vermont to join other states in the region in developing policies to... read more I am in favor of Vermont's participation in the regional Transportation and Climate Initiative. It makes sense for Vermont to join other states in the region in developing policies to address carbon emissions from transportation fuels because those policies will impact Vermont even if it does not join the TCI: it might as well have a say in them before they take effect. Vermont needs to become clearer and more emphatic about meeting its goals for the reduction of its carbon emissions in general The public needs help in doing this: lots of education, of course, and policies which encourage and/or require taking actual steps towards lowering emissions numbers in different areas of our day-to-day life. The cap and invest approach to transportation fuels gives the public a chance to a) see that long-term steps to reduce emissions from transportation fuels can indeed be taken on a regional scale and b) engage in considering how to invest in our own communities-- always a profound opportunity! The conversations which will happen around investing monies from a cap-and-invest program will build our community as different types of people come together to consider what is important to them, worth investing in, in this state we all love so much. |
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2/21/2020 |
Diane |
Foulds |
Windsor Energy Committee |
Windsor |
Vermont |
We must forge ahead at full speed if we have any hope of staving off climate disaster. The TCI proposal won't fix everything, but it's a darn good start. Let's do it. Now. read more We must forge ahead at full speed if we have any hope of staving off climate disaster. The TCI proposal won't fix everything, but it's a darn good start. Let's do it. Now. |
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2/21/2020 |
Sam |
Burns |
Self |
Warren |
Vermont |
In efforts to combat our climate crisis, I support more public transit and electric vehicle infrastructure in rural areas and the expansion of commuter rail, electric vehicles and streets in the... read more In efforts to combat our climate crisis, I support more public transit and electric vehicle infrastructure in rural areas and the expansion of commuter rail, electric vehicles and streets in the suburbs that are safe, walkable, and bikeable. As well as sustainable and equitable housing near transit and electric bus fleets in urban suburban and rural communities. |
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2/21/2020 |
Kimberly |
Hornung-Marcy |
North Ferrisburgh UMC |
North Ferrisburgh |
Vermont |
So excited that we might get the TCI through so many states. We either pay now or pay way more later. We must cut our carbon emissions as quickly as possible. What is happening with Australia... read more So excited that we might get the TCI through so many states. We either pay now or pay way more later. We must cut our carbon emissions as quickly as possible. What is happening with Australia shows us that scientists have actually been too conservative on how fast climate change and serious damage is happening. In 26 years of living in Vermont I have never seen so much rain in February! I hope to see lots more bike paths, electric vehicles on the road, and electric vehicles for as much public transit as possible. Vermont is already at work making sure there are lots of fast recharging stations along our major north south and east west main highways. We must do more and as quickly as possible. |
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2/21/2020 |
Stephanie |
Bourdelle |
Democrat |
Sheffield |
Vermont |
VT Buses need to be electric, and there are a lot of areas they don't go. Expand the routes by sending out questionnaires to all residents. We VTers need better access to commercial bus-... read more VT Buses need to be electric, and there are a lot of areas they don't go. Expand the routes by sending out questionnaires to all residents. We VTers need better access to commercial bus-lines, rail (e.g., Montrealer, etc.), and airlines. There needs to be transportation to Burlington and Montpelier (the East side of the state is woefully neglected). How about bus lines, etc. accepting debit/credit cards instead of change? How about interstate transportation (e.g., St. Johnsbury to Littleton, Hanover, Lebanon, NH). In France they have a rapid/quiet train system which rides on opposing magnetic fields -- this would be a wonderful update for some of the U.S. rail systems (esp. the Montrealer). |
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2/22/2020 |
Karen |
Nordstrom |
University of Vermont |
Burlington |
Vermont |
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... read more 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. [MY STATE] should join TCI to fund better transportation infrastructure, reduce traffic, and make my community a cleaner, safer place to live. |
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2/22/2020 |
Paul |
Markowitz |
Montpelier Energy Committee |
Montpelier |
Vermont |
Dear governor Scott: I strongly urge you to support the Transportation Climate Initiative. Thank you. Paul Markowitz Dear governor Scott: I strongly urge you to support the Transportation Climate Initiative. Thank you. Paul Markowitz |
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2/22/2020 |
Anna |
Levine |
Resident |
Burlington |
Vermont |
I attended the TCI meeting in Burlington, and I support the Transportation and Climate Initiative, as one of hopefully many measures to mitigate carbon emissions in Vermont. I believe that the... read more I attended the TCI meeting in Burlington, and I support the Transportation and Climate Initiative, as one of hopefully many measures to mitigate carbon emissions in Vermont. I believe that the ensuing climate crisis is the greatest threat we face today, so it impacts all of my political decision-making. The Transportation and Climate Initiative seems like it would be a sound economic device to reduce transportation emissions, especially since Vermont would be working in conjunction with other larger, more populous states. I think TCI would be most powerful in Vermont if investments were used to mitigate economic impacts on lower-income and rural residents, who are likely to be disproportionately affected by the climate crisis, or to expand other transit options to rural areas. As someone who used to live in a more rural part of the state, car-dependency often felt like a millstone. Investment of funds sourced from TCI into expanded public transit across the state would, in my opinion, expand opportunities for more Vermont residents. |
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2/24/2020 |
John |
McClaughry |
Ethan Allen Institute |
Concord |
Vermont |
Here are twelve questions and answers that will explain what TCI is and expects to do.
Q: What is TCI? TCI is a multistate regional agreement to drive up the price of motor fuel (gasoline... read more Here are twelve questions and answers that will explain what TCI is and expects to do.
Q: What is TCI? TCI is a multistate regional agreement to drive up the price of motor fuel (gasoline and on-road diesel). It proposes to start at five, nine or seventeen cents per gallon, and escalate upward from that, with no declared maximum.
Q: Why do the TCI backers want to drive up the price of motor fuel? Because they are convinced that “climate change poses a clear, present, and increasingly dangerous threat to the communities and economic security of each [participating state].” The MOU says that the participating states will “need to implement bold initiatives to mitigate the impacts of greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector,” which produce 40% of human-caused emissions.
Q: How will TCI drive down those emissions? By driving up the price of gasoline and diesel fuel so you will drive less, drive smaller cars, use electric vehicles, walk, ride bicycles, use public transportation, move closer to school and work, and so on.
Q: How does TCI drive up motor fuel prices? It creates what it calls a “cap and invest” system. TCI sets a cap, or limit, on carbon dioxide emissions from burning motor fuel. Every distributor of motor fuel – of which there are eighty in Vermont – will be required to purchase “allowances” to match the motor fuel sold in each reporting period.
Q: So motorists, including passenger cars, pickups, SUVs, vans, school buses, delivery trucks, contractor vehicles, milk tankers, ambulances, and motorcycles will end up paying for the allowances? Yes, of course they will.
Q: What does the state get for imposing these costs on motorists? TCI will distribute among the participating states some fraction of the revenue from its sale of “allowances”, according to an as yet undetermined formula. The states are supposed to use these revenues to further drive down gasoline and on-road diesel use, and “help their residents transition to affordable, low-carbon transportation options”. Paying people to buy electric cars, and building charging stations for them, is a recommended use of the funds. However, the states can use what they receive for anything their legislature desires.
Q: How many “allowances” will TCI issue? As many it sees fit. TCI will invent them out of thin air, and motor fuel distributors will be required to go into TCI’s auction market to buy enough of them with real money to match their motor fuel deliveries over a preceding reporting period. The cost of these “allowances” will be included in the price you pay at the pump.
Q: Won’t this plan hit hardest on working people and the poor, especially in Vermont’s rural areas? Of course. It’s regressive.
Q: How much will the preferred TCI scenario reduce carbon dioxide emissions from motor fuel? Drew Cline of New Hampshire’s Josiah Bartlett Center analyzed the TCI economic model. He found that the “reference case” used by the Georgetown Climate Center to project what would happen from 2022 to 2032 if states did not implement the TCI would likely be a 19% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. If TCI is implemented, emissions are projected to fall by between 20% and 25% over that decade. So TCI will produce an additional emissions reduction of between 1 and 6 percentage points on top of a presumed reduction of 19 percent. In short, TCI would extract $56 billion from motor fuel users to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by a little more than 5 percent over ten years.
Q: Will that reduction of emissions actually reduce “climate change”? Certainly not measurably. Probably not at all.
Q: Wait a minute. Isn’t this TCI “cap and invest” scheme just another carbon tax in a fancy package , designed to make it look like it’s not a carbon tax? Yes, of course.
Q: Gov. Phil Scott has steadfastly promised to veto a carbon tax. Won’t he reject the MOU, as New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu has already done, and veto any legislation to force Vermont fuel dealers to buy those funny money TCI allowances that will drive up the price of gasoline and diesel fuel for all Vermonters? As of now he won’t say, so if you don’t want to see the TCI drive up your fuel prices year after year, it wouldn’t hurt to encourage him to strengthen his resolve.
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2/24/2020 |
Ed |
Piper |
Concerned Citizen |
Norwich |
Vermont |
Waste has never needed a convincing rational. Thrift was a natural virtue in my family’s post depression culture. Scarcity certainly can remind us of the value of essentials once taken for granted... read more Waste has never needed a convincing rational. Thrift was a natural virtue in my family’s post depression culture. Scarcity certainly can remind us of the value of essentials once taken for granted. I remember how the 1970’s oil embargo shook up our complacency and provoked a generation of efficiency throughout the developed world. Efficient architecture, transportation, and engineering and sweaters, wood heat, alternative energy sources and all means of minimizing consumption became enlightened virtues, almost overnight. Beauty in parsimony was in style, but not for long.
It wasn’t foresight or virtue, but the elegance of thrift and off-grid independence that guided my family’s automotive and architectural preferences in the ensuing years. The return of abundance was a relief to some however, as we returned to oversized cars, SUVs and vans, decadent home climate habits and air travel.
Before us once again is an existential opportunity to write our history re; our climate crisis. It is terrifying to consider the point of no return for our planet and what that dark end might look like for our survivors. The word is out on the street. We may have already passed the turning point.
The most effective interventions are within immediate reach. I count the heavy pickups carrying a single soul to a parking lot at a job 30 miles from home. Or the unnecessary air travel we have become accustom to or the leaky buildings we heat with carbon laden climate eroding fossil-fuels.
The time for action is so close to too late it is tempting to just concede. If there were ever a time to call on our better angels, it is now. Survival for our progeny may still be in reach. We cannot afford to postpone another minute.
Transportation remains the low hanging fruit at this juncture.
Do we need to carry that extra 1000 Lbs wherever we go?
Can we find ways to be productive without wasteful nonproductive travel?
How can we maximize the passenger payload on our routine trips?
Are there alternatives to automobiles and trucks to get around?
Why are we so afraid of planned density communities that can capitalize on efficiency while preserving open land?
The bad news is that it’s almost too late
The good is that our fate still rests in our hands.
That is why I write and why I support the Transportation and Climate Initiative. This program has a double benefit: it will incentivize people not to waste fuel with slightly higher costs at the fuel pump and it will generate the means to build an infrastructure that can create a more efficient transportation network. To my mind the choice is not a hard one when weighed against the future we will leave our children.
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2/24/2020 |
Janice |
SolekTefft |
VPIRG supporter |
Underhill |
Vermont |
Please sign on to join the TCI so Vermont will benefit.
Thank you!0 Please sign on to join the TCI so Vermont will benefit.
Thank you!0 |
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2/24/2020 |
Scott |
Garren |
Resident |
Cuttingsville |
Vermont |
Please, Governor Scott. Join the TCI. Good for the environment and good for the economy! Please, Governor Scott. Join the TCI. Good for the environment and good for the economy! |
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2/24/2020 |
Jack |
Clay |
Vermont resident |
Middletown Springs |
Vermont |
The governor’s appointees from the Public Service Department, the Agency of Transportation and the Agency of Natural Resources have been holding public meetings across the state to introduce the... read more The governor’s appointees from the Public Service Department, the Agency of Transportation and the Agency of Natural Resources have been holding public meetings across the state to introduce the TCI to Vermonters. They are basically saying:
- Vermonters will pay TCI’s compliance costs whether or not Gov. Scott joins the program.
- The State will receive back more for investments than Vermonters contribute, if Vermont does join the TCI.
Seems like an obvious choice: Vermont should join TCI and get back more than we put in, rather than opt out, pay TCIs costs anyway and get nothing in return. |
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2/24/2020 |
John |
Emerson |
Voter in Addison County |
Middlebury |
Vermont |
I urge Vermont and Governor Scott to join TCI now. It makes no sense NOT to join it!
John Emerson I urge Vermont and Governor Scott to join TCI now. It makes no sense NOT to join it!
John Emerson |
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2/24/2020 |
Ben |
Freeman |
Vermont citizen and active voter |
Landgrove |
Vermont |
I am in support of the TCI and urge my elected officials, particularly Governor Scott, to vote in favor of Vermont's participation. read more I am in support of the TCI and urge my elected officials, particularly Governor Scott, to vote in favor of Vermont's participation. |
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2/24/2020 |
Jeremy |
Seeger |
Self employed |
Rochester |
Vermont |
It is imperative that we join this both for climate reasons and financial reasons.
Sincerely,
Jeremy Seeger It is imperative that we join this both for climate reasons and financial reasons.
Sincerely,
Jeremy Seeger |
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2/24/2020 |
Diane |
Foulds |
Windsor Energy Committee |
Windsor |
Vermont |
If Vermont actually joins the TCI, we'll get more revenue for needed and worthwhile investments than if Vermonters simply contribute to the program. Let's link arms with our neighbors,... read more If Vermont actually joins the TCI, we'll get more revenue for needed and worthwhile investments than if Vermonters simply contribute to the program. Let's link arms with our neighbors, Governor Scott! |
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2/24/2020 |
Michael |
Philipp |
Independent |
Dorset |
Vermont |
Governor Scott - Please pass the TCI legislation and all other renewable energy, EV transportation and sustainable agriculture bills that come before you. Climate Change is real and Vermont is... read more Governor Scott - Please pass the TCI legislation and all other renewable energy, EV transportation and sustainable agriculture bills that come before you. Climate Change is real and Vermont is suffering. The expense of preparing for climate change now will be minuscule compared to the cost of dealing with unchecked climate change in the future. Vermont needs to show leadership and give our young people a reason to stay in Vermont and other young people from around the country and around the world a reason to come. |
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2/24/2020 |
Susan |
Smiley |
Householder |
NEW HAVEN |
Vermont |
I SUPPORT VERMONT'S JOINING THE TRANSPORTATION AND CLIMATE INITIATIVE. WE MUST NOT MISS THIS COLLECTIVE OPPORTUNITY TO RAISE REVENUES FOR CLIMATE ACTION IN OUR STATE. REFUSING TO JOIN AND... read more I SUPPORT VERMONT'S JOINING THE TRANSPORTATION AND CLIMATE INITIATIVE. WE MUST NOT MISS THIS COLLECTIVE OPPORTUNITY TO RAISE REVENUES FOR CLIMATE ACTION IN OUR STATE. REFUSING TO JOIN AND EXPERIENCING THE COSTS AND NO BENEFITS WOULD BE A TRAVESTY |
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