TCI Regional Policy Design Stakeholder Submissions

I am a recent graduate now living and working in Massachusetts as an environmental educator. I have grown up with the climate crisis, watched as small steps towards sustainable planning practices and policies in our cities and regions have been taken while the much bigger sources of our pollution problems persist. The TCI is a positive step towards tackling those bigger problems. I understand that there are people who's financial situations may be negatively affected by this policy, especially those in poorer rural areas and/or those who drive to make a living. However, difficult as it may be, we as a region need to start accepting new ways of living in order to reduce GHG emissions that are harming our ecosystems and the health of vulnerable populations. The projections of the TCI have shown a reduction in pollution and illness and an increase in clean transportation options that will ultimately improve the lives of the people in this region. I would like to be able to breathe clean air in Massachusetts for generations to come. This initiative is a promising step towards that future.

New York State politicians seem to not want to really support electric vehicles. They have been bought and paid for buy the fossil fuel automobile dealers. Here's why I believe this to be true. First, recent sales figures, nationally, indicate Tesla is selling 77% of battery electric vehicles. New York subsidized charging stations support the 23%, not the 77%. It seems to me that all viable vehicles should be supported by states subsidized charging stations. The argument that Tesla doesn't support existing standards is bogus, since there were no standards when Tesla started selling cars and providing a bare bones charging network. Second, the adoption of electric vehicles should be made as easy and convenient as possible. NYS should require NEMA 14-50 electrical outlets in the parking area of all new construction, especially single family homes with garages or driveways. A dedicated charging station should be acceptable as an alternative. Third, there should be no artificial barriers to the sale of electric vehicles. Placing restrictions on non-dealer sales clearly indicates the lack of commitment to improving the environment. If the current auto dealers offer a superior experience to people wanting to buy an electric vehicle, people would shop at the dealers. Currently indications are that fossil fuel auto dealers are not really prepared to sell electric vehicles. For the near future, and to enhance the adoption of electric vehicles, no artificial restrictions should be imposed on their sale. The prohibition of manufacturer owned sales outlets competing with their dealers should be continued for the sake of fairness. Fourth, I propose a very generous subsidy for electric vehicles that support "Vehicle to Grid" (V2G) capability. If you do the numbers, drawing 10 KW from 1 million electric vehicles when needed is equivalent to a 10 gigawatt battery backup. Ultimately, this should reduce or eliminate the need for utility scale battery backup, since the wind doesn't always blow and the sun doesn't always shine. Battery manufacturers probably oppose this capability since they will sell fewer utility scale battery systems. Once this technology is kick started by a generous subsidy for a few thousand cars, the capability will become common and useful.

I have to breathe in black soot that covers everything outside now. I know carbon particulates in dense concentration can and does cause various cancers.

I am excited to see a high-impact, regional approach to tackling carbon emissions moving forward.

Governor Phil Scott please do all you can to support Vermont through this climate crisis we are in by backing your fellow Vermonters by signing off on TCI. Think of our child and our children’s children. Be the man to make a difference.

I endorse the goals of the TCI to reduce carbon emissions from transportation in our region. This is vital since transportation is the largest source of our carbon emissions.

We need to reduce greenhouse gas on every front to create an environment to meet the basic needs of clean air, pure water, viable soil for plant life and food supply, and David the sustainability of all life forms that enrich life on Earth. Sound transportation strategies, building strategies, community planning strategies, etc. designed to support the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in order to achieve these objectives for a healthful future for the generations to come.

Addressing greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles also means immediate health benefits for our most overburdened populations as a result of improved air quality and fewer emissions of localized pollutants responsible for cancer and respiratory and cardiovascular ailments, among other adverse health impacts.