5/25/2019 |
Nancy |
Watson |
CCL |
Greenwich |
Connecticut |
As an extremely concerned citizen and chapter leader of Greater Stamford CCL, I have learned so much about the most sensible policy to move towards renewables : carbon fee and dividend. In fact, a... read more As an extremely concerned citizen and chapter leader of Greater Stamford CCL, I have learned so much about the most sensible policy to move towards renewables : carbon fee and dividend. In fact, a bill (HR 763) is working it's way through congress to enact this policy. Simply put, a steadily rising fee is placed on carbon emissions which is then is returned to every American household in the form of a montlhy dividend. The increasing fee signals the market that renewables are increasingly more attractive than fossil fuels. The dividend protects lower income families rom the price increase. Environmentalists and economists see this as the best policy to move towards renewables while protecting the vulnerable. And it has bi-partisan support, including from the fossil fuel companies. I urge you to explore this policy in the transition to renewables in the transportation sector. |
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5/25/2019 |
Ronny |
Kaplan |
CCL greater Stamford, CT |
Stamford |
Connecticut |
•I am a concerned citizen who would like my grandchildren to inherit a livable earth & climate.
•The carbon price must be high enough to have the desired effect of reducing carbon... read more •I am a concerned citizen who would like my grandchildren to inherit a livable earth & climate.
•The carbon price must be high enough to have the desired effect of reducing carbon emissions.
•There should be a strong component of social equity
•I think it is excellent that this project is bipartisan.
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5/25/2019 |
Carol |
Dipirro |
Echo Action |
Merrimack |
New Hampshire |
My name is Carol DiPirro and I live in Merrimack, NH. It is a state that is dragging its feet to promote more efficient less green house gas producing transportation.
Policies put in place... read more My name is Carol DiPirro and I live in Merrimack, NH. It is a state that is dragging its feet to promote more efficient less green house gas producing transportation.
Policies put in place should have a price high enough to effectively reduce emissions according to the latest science
I appreciate that both parties are working on this initiative. Clean air and water is important to everyone. I am a mother and now a grandmother and I worry about the future of humans surviving on this planet.
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5/25/2019 |
Russell |
Donnelly |
JCAN |
Framingham |
Massachusetts |
First of all,we need to approach the problem on all fronts,with every means,realizing that there will not be one perfect solution,but doing nothing is definitely not the solution.We also need a... read more First of all,we need to approach the problem on all fronts,with every means,realizing that there will not be one perfect solution,but doing nothing is definitely not the solution.We also need a target.The target should be no investment in anything that makes the problem worse,but also think about how to take carbon out of the atmosphere most efficiently.One of the means is to price carbon,and to do that we can do some thought experiments.If the goal is to change people's behavior how much should that price be?Should it be $5 per ton,increasing $1 per year?Obviously not,since such a insignificant increase would change nothing.Why would you even bother?This would be greenwashing.If this is to be a regional approach I would advocate for increasing that by a factor of 10.Thus it would start at $50 per ton,and increase $10 per year.Would this put our region at a disadvantage?Not if the entire region,in all of its public unions,colleges,etc divested from fossil fuels,and pledged to be fossil fuel free in terms of cars and trucks by 2025.that is,no registration of new fossil fueled cars and trucks by 2025.Meanwhile,one would need to return this money in a progressive fashion-the lowest quintile to receive 175% of the dividend,next lowest 150%,middle 125%,next higher 35%,highest possibly15%.Not as a dividend,but as a green debit card,so that the money could only be spent on green options-e.g.,mass transit,bikes,electric cars,solar panels,mini-split heaters,etc.Meanwhile,all of the attorney generals should proceed with their cases against Exxon Mobil etc.Meanwhile,copy California making solar requisite on all new homes by 2020.Fund immediate rebates for lower income folks purchasing ev cars,again copying California.Make it a rule that by 2020 no municipality buys another school bus that is not electric.No town vehicle that is not either electric or something like a Workhorse truck.JFK in ? 1961 pledged to put a man on the moon before the end of the decade,when our rockets were blowing up on the launchpad.He did not have the technology then.We have all the technology to do this now.We just choose to spend on money propping up the polluting fossil fuel industries that will ultimately go bankrupt and pay nothing to mitigate the disasters they are causing not in the future,but now.I am tired of both parties doing squat.Fix the problem.It's not landing on the moon. |
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5/26/2019 |
Margaret |
Pikaart |
New Haven Chapter CCL |
New Haven |
Connecticut |
My name is Margaret Pikaart. I moved to downtown New Haven 2 1/2 years ago. I am extremely concerned about our environment and for the future for our children and grandchildren. I am asking that... read more My name is Margaret Pikaart. I moved to downtown New Haven 2 1/2 years ago. I am extremely concerned about our environment and for the future for our children and grandchildren. I am asking that TCI create a policy that will have a price high enough to effectively reduce emissions according to the latest science and a policy that will have a strong component of social equity and doesn't hurt rural or low/moderate income people
I thank you for ALL that you do and appreciate that this is s bipartisan effort.
Sincerely,
Margaret Pikaart |
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5/26/2019 |
Patricia |
Clark |
citizens' Climate Lobby |
Kennebunk |
Maine |
It is imperative that all people of this world do their share to mitigate climate change. Those of us in the developed world have done the most to destroy the world's climate so it is our... read more It is imperative that all people of this world do their share to mitigate climate change. Those of us in the developed world have done the most to destroy the world's climate so it is our responsibility to rectify this issue. I would impose a carbon tax through higher gasoline taxes, and taxes on emissions. In order to not unduly affect the poor, there should be an unearned income credit. Those who earn more should pay the tax.
In rural states, the tax on gasoline could be imposed in the more highly populated areas of the state. |
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5/26/2019 |
David |
Chamberlain |
Citizen |
Chelmsford |
Massachusetts |
I believe the TCI is long overdue and will help us transition to electrified transportation, just as RGGI has done for renewable energy. I encourage TCI states to be as aggressive as possible to... read more I believe the TCI is long overdue and will help us transition to electrified transportation, just as RGGI has done for renewable energy. I encourage TCI states to be as aggressive as possible to encourage utilities, suppliers and end users to aid a rapid transition. I also hope TCI can expand beyond the 9 states to a national initiative. Thank you for this critically important initiative! |
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5/26/2019 |
Charlie |
Garlow |
DEEVA, Delaware Electric Vehicle Association |
Rehoboth Beach |
Delaware |
My wife and I own our home at 82 Sussex St, Rehoboth Beach, DE. We have solar panels on our roof and an electric vehicle charging station right next to the solar panels in our driveway. We have... read more My wife and I own our home at 82 Sussex St, Rehoboth Beach, DE. We have solar panels on our roof and an electric vehicle charging station right next to the solar panels in our driveway. We have three electric plug in cars. We also bike a lot.
Thank you for your interest in our opinions.
I favor a carbon fee and dividend approach to reducing carbon pollution that causes global warming.
This approach gives all fees on carbon fuels back to the people in a monthly dividend. See HR 763, a bi-partisan bill in the US Congress. I think this works best on a national scale, but a regional scale, like RGGI, could work also.
The dividend approach ensures that almost all people of limited means will be better off financially than without the program, since most richer families use more carbon fuel that poorer families, so the rich will pay more, but everyone gets the same dividend. The REMI study confirms this concept.
It encourages people to use more efficient cars, electric cars, bikes and mass transit. For those lower income families that find that they are not better off, we could devise a program for free bus tickets, or free bicycles, if they would use them. We might be able to sell them used electric vehicles or hybrids that cost less than brand new, at below market prices, which subsidies could be paid out of the carbon fee.
Of course, we would need an educational program that inspires everyone to use low carbon transportation.
Thank you again |
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5/26/2019 |
Jeffrey |
Jones |
Maine Power, LLC |
BANGOR |
Maine |
Jeff Jones from Bangor, ME and I volunteer with the Citizens' Climate Lobby, which promotes bipartisan legislation as a solution to climate change disruption by assessing fees on carbon-based... read more Jeff Jones from Bangor, ME and I volunteer with the Citizens' Climate Lobby, which promotes bipartisan legislation as a solution to climate change disruption by assessing fees on carbon-based fuels and returning all of the money directly to individuals by dividend. Economists and others recognize that a market based approach, in some ways similar to RGGI, could work more effectively than non-market based proposals that rely on subsidies and regulations. This program, called Carbon Fee and Dividend, has been laid out in H.R. 763, The Energy Innovation and Dividend Act in Congress:
https://energyinnovationact.org/
I am in support of your effort and suggest that:
The policy should have a price high enough to effectively reduce emissions according to the latest science.
The policy should have a strong component of social equity and not hurt rural or low/moderate income people.
Thank you for the bipartisan nature of this project; I feel that is the only way to make it work. |
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5/26/2019 |
Tim |
Brainerd |
350massachusetts and sustainable framingham |
Framingham |
Massachusetts |
Mass Transit.
Mass Transit in many more locations.
Mass Transit with vastly more runs. Mass Transit powered by electricity....renewable sources, available battery infrastructure... read more Mass Transit.
Mass Transit in many more locations.
Mass Transit with vastly more runs. Mass Transit powered by electricity....renewable sources, available battery infrastructure.
The cost would seem daunting, but so are the costs of ignoring the carbon contributions to worsening conditions even in Massachusetts. Again the costs would seem daunting, but so are the costs of keeping roads and bridges functioning....in the landscape of no political will to increase gasoline taxes.
Some day really soon, I hope the big thinkers take a serious look at the monorail concepts (Transit-x, JPod, maybe others) which are comparatively inexpensive to build, privately funded, dependent on municipalities granting less intrusive rights-of-way, modest fares, frequent pods, convenient locations, good for radial lines from local transit hubs, good for main lines from major cities/towns to boston, good along the entire mass pike (thank you to the late chris walsh, state representative from framingham), also good for some freight. (Check the analogous build out of the regional trolley car systems throughout the northeast before and after 1900!) |
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5/26/2019 |
Tony |
Rogers |
Retired |
Pelham |
Massachusetts |
I am a former wind energy engineer. I am very concerned that we reduce carbon emissions as soon and as fast as possible.
1. Do a carbon tax or fee or cap and invest. Do NOT propose a cap... read more I am a former wind energy engineer. I am very concerned that we reduce carbon emissions as soon and as fast as possible.
1. Do a carbon tax or fee or cap and invest. Do NOT propose a cap and trade program!
2. Collected fees must be returned to citizens - to ensure strong public support
3. Make sure the dividends are structured to make sure low income communities are not unduly burdened by the transition to a green economy
4. Make sure that the tax or cap is adjusted each year to reduce emissions to zero by 2050
5. Provide rigorous independent studies to document the expected efficacy and possible down sides of the proposed plan
We have no time to lose! Any proposal must meet these requirements as it needs to be publicly acceptable and effectively reduce emissions!
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5/27/2019 |
Larry |
Yu |
citizen |
Somerville |
Massachusetts |
The focus on equity for the Transportation and Climate Initiative’s cap and invest program is absolutely vital to program design. However, the program should not also forget that the program... read more The focus on equity for the Transportation and Climate Initiative’s cap and invest program is absolutely vital to program design. However, the program should not also forget that the program should lead toward a price on carbon emissions that approximates the social cost of carbon. Otherwise, the TCI will not fulfill its purpose and contribute toward achieving commitments under the Paris Climate Agreement. |
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5/27/2019 |
Eben |
Bein |
Our Climate |
Cambridge |
Massachusetts |
Dear TCI Team,
I am so grateful for your hard work to expand regional carbon pricing to a new sector of the economy and to do so in an inclusive, collaborative, bipartisan manner.... read more Dear TCI Team,
I am so grateful for your hard work to expand regional carbon pricing to a new sector of the economy and to do so in an inclusive, collaborative, bipartisan manner. I look forward to learning more about TCI but want to share some of my hopes based on my first impressions, study of RGGI, and enthusiasm for MA's current fee and rebate proposal H.2810 from which we could all learn.
1. The price must be high enough to drive emissions reductions. For all the revenue RGGI has generated, I have yet to find a single economist who argues that the RGGI price (a paltry $4-$5 when last I checked) is high enough to drive emissions reductions. (All arguments I've seen have attributed falling emissions to our use of natural gas.) TCI must decide on a way to measure the effect of the price on consumer behavior, perhaps coupled with nudges at the moment where people are paying for fuels to encourage them toward greener solutions. Like H.2810, I hope that this price will be set to increase until regional emissions targets are met, rather than chosing an arbitrary ceiling.
2. H.2810 also uniquely proposes redistribution of 70% of its funds directly to families to financially equip them to make greener decisions. These rebates are weighted by income to ensure financial protections for the low-income communities most affected by climate change. This is the only carbon pricing bill to my knowledge that has received explicit support from Environmental Justice organizations in MA, and I think we must consider whether a rebate structure is possible in TCI to ensure that no family is left in a difficult situation. I also look forward to learning how TCI is working to engage and address the concerns of these organizations as expressed here: https://climatejusticealliance.org/climate-justice-equity-principles-transportation-climate-initiative/
3. Please continue to emphasize that the TCI is transportation sector specific. We should use the wide-reaching aspects of this project to highlight that home heating/cooling emissions remain untouched and that the unimpressive effects of RGGI in the electricity sector still need to be rectified. In our battle for H.2810 in MA, countless legislators are saying to us "H.2810 is not necessary because TCI will solve that problem." Instead, lets focus on the synergistic aspects of these two legislative efforts, with the climate crisis as the bottom line.
Thank you so much,
Eben
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5/27/2019 |
Daniel |
Foskey |
DE Dept. Of Transportation |
Rehoboth Beach |
Delaware |
Hello, Dan Foskey, and I have worked in the highway tolls industry for 25 years now. My main concern is that in our state there is not a big push by either DelDOT or DNREC to promote EV vehicles... read more Hello, Dan Foskey, and I have worked in the highway tolls industry for 25 years now. My main concern is that in our state there is not a big push by either DelDOT or DNREC to promote EV vehicles. I feel we need to have policies in place to start effectively combating carbon fuel emissions that are continuing to cause greenhouse effects in our atmosphere. The policy should set a carbon price high enough to effectively reduce carbon emissions but also be implemented with a social equity component as to not hurt rural communities and low to moderate income people. We would like the policy to further encourage the purchase of EV vehicles by state and local agencies as well as the motoring public. We appreciate the bipartisan effort being made on this project and we hope that a good solution will be the outcome. Thanks sincerely for your time. |
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5/27/2019 |
MJ |
Sorrentino |
Citizens Climate Lobby Rhode Island |
Providence |
Rhode Island |
Thank you for working on this important issue of reducing carbon dioxide equivalent and other pollution from the transportation section. I hope that the policy will have a pollution price high... read more Thank you for working on this important issue of reducing carbon dioxide equivalent and other pollution from the transportation section. I hope that the policy will have a pollution price high enough to effectively reduce the emissions needed according to the latest science --- that is, 50% reduction by 2030 and net zero by 2050.
Please ensure that this policy has a strong component of social equity and doesn't hurt rural or low/moderate income people and those same populations have equal access to transport and EVs as anyone else.
I am appreciative that this can be a model for the rest of the country if done correctly. Moreover, it can show bipartisan support for strong action on climate pollutants and can usher the changes in the transportation sector that is so urgently needed. For further information on what states can do, please visit
Legal Pathways to Deep Decarbonization by Michael Gerrard and John Dernbach, editors:
https://biotech.law.lsu.edu/blog/deep_decarb_summary_booklet_online.pdf
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5/27/2019 |
Claire |
Simmers |
citizen |
Bethany Beach |
Delaware |
I live in Bethany Beach, DE and strongly believe that we need to take action to begin to counter the devastating impact of humanity on the environment. This is one step in the right direction.... read more I live in Bethany Beach, DE and strongly believe that we need to take action to begin to counter the devastating impact of humanity on the environment. This is one step in the right direction. Please set a policy that has a price high enough to effectively reduce emissions according to the latest science. Please design a policy that has a strong component of social equity and doesn’t hurt rural, low/moderate income people. Thank you for the bipartisan nature of this project as we must work together as hard to fix as we did to break the environment. |
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5/27/2019 |
Chris |
D'Agostino |
Sunrise Movement |
Newton |
Massachusetts |
My name is Chris D'Agostino, and I am a recent college graduate from Brandeis University. I care deeply about the issue of climate change because as a young person, I will live to see its... read more My name is Chris D'Agostino, and I am a recent college graduate from Brandeis University. I care deeply about the issue of climate change because as a young person, I will live to see its increasingly harmful consequences. I would like to see a policy with a high, steadily increasing price that fully compensates rural and low/moderate income earners for any rising costs. With a federal government apathetic to the issue of climate change, it is essential that states move aggressively to reduce emissions in a socially equitable manner. Thank you for your time. |
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5/27/2019 |
Daniel |
Bostwick |
Citizen |
Bedford |
Massachusetts |
I am a member of a group of concerned citizens that are developing a plan to reduce carbon emissions generated by building operations in our town. We feel this is an issue we can address to some... read more I am a member of a group of concerned citizens that are developing a plan to reduce carbon emissions generated by building operations in our town. We feel this is an issue we can address to some degree locally. However, to reduce GHG emissions from the transportation sector we need regional efforts such as the TCI. I am fully supportive of the TCI and request that the resulting policy have a price that's high enough to effectively reduce emissions and at the same time protect rural and low/moderate income populations. I am grateful to see bipartisan support for the TCI. |
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5/27/2019 |
Adelheid |
Koepfer |
Citizens’ Climate Lobby |
Wallingford |
Connecticut |
I am writing today to express my support for a strong carbon pricing policy in the transportation sector.
As a mother of three, I am very concerned if we can turn around and take action on... read more I am writing today to express my support for a strong carbon pricing policy in the transportation sector.
As a mother of three, I am very concerned if we can turn around and take action on climate change in time to avert the worst effects on our kids and grandkids. Having lived in Europe for a long time, I follow their efforts to reign in green house gas emissions closely, and I am glad that in the US, states and cities are finally getting on board and taking regional initiatives of their own.
I am thrilled to hear that the Transportation Climate Initiative is developing a policy that would put a price on carbon for our transportation sector. I am grateful and very optimistic for this policy, as it is a bipartisan endeavor.
In order for the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern states to achieve our necessary climate goal, pricing Carbon is a genial first step. The policy needs to
- put a price on carbon high enough to effectively decrease emissions (new technology enables higher efficiency, less consumption, but only if the old way gets more inconvenient or too expensive), and this price needs to be based on the latest science.
- Furthermore, the new policy needs to make sure that rural or low income populations are not hurt disproportionately.
The Citizens’ Climate Lobby has been working in a similar carbon pricing nation wide for years now. Please inquire how their model (clear, transparent pricing over 10 years, with the dividend distributed to all Americans equally) can inspire the new policy to be adopted by the TCI.
Thank you for taking my comments,
Adelheid Koepfer
35 Whiffle Tree Road
Wallingford, CT 06492 |
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5/28/2019 |
Linda |
Butler |
--None-- |
Leeds |
Massachusetts |
My name is Linda Butler, I live in Northampton, MA, and I care about this issue because I hope to be on the planet for some years to come and because I have children, grandchildren, friends, and... read more My name is Linda Butler, I live in Northampton, MA, and I care about this issue because I hope to be on the planet for some years to come and because I have children, grandchildren, friends, and neighbors whose future well-being I care about as well--their health, their safety, their economic security.
I am grateful for the work the TCI is doing to slow the dumping of carbon into the atmosphere and pleased that the project is bipartisan.
I believe that a carbon fee and dividend policy is the best way forward, but whatever policy is adopted, I hope it'll have a price on carbon pollution that is high enough to effectively reduce emissions to a scientifically-determined tolerable level.
I also believe that the policy can and must be designed to be fair to low/moderate income people, rural drivers, and farmers.
Thank you. |
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