TCI Regional Policy Design Stakeholder Submissions

Every living former Federal Reserve chair, dozens of Nobel laureates, and chief economists from both Democratic and Republican administrations, have all signed an open letter calling for taxes on emissions of greenhouse gases. In my understanding, the Transportation and Climate Initiative's cap-and-invest strategy is an even more effective way to reduce the damage being caused to our economy and environment by our continued dependency on fossil fuels for transportation.

And why?

Because paying for the oil, and the subsidies we pay directly and indirectly to oil companies, costs us in Vermont over 2 Billion dollars a year that goes out of this economy. And the only return we get is in the form of earnings of stockholders in oil companies. If national averages on stock ownership are applied to Vermont, that means 80 percent of Vermonters get no return from the 649 Billion dollars we in the US have paid to oil companies in subsidies, to provide to us with a toxic product at an artificially low price.
One of the most common objections to the TCI is that it is seen as a regressive tax. If you're going to talk about regressive taxes, here is a regressive tax; the hidden taxes we all pay for fossil fuel production.
With TCI, we would at least be able to decide how the charges we add to fossil fuels can be progressively redistributed to help those most dependent on these fuels, those most impacted by their externalized costs.
As an economic issue, this is an action we can take to redress some of the absurd subsidies we pay to oil companies to pollute our air and soils, and to reverse Vermont’s dependency on these damaging products.

I share the caution expressed by some politicians concerning the explicit final details of the agreement. However, our response to these concerns must be to work now to make sure the agreement meets our energy goals. I urge our representatives in these discussions to stay engaged, and to focus on the highest objectives of the program, not short-term political expediency. The TCI represents our best opportunity to make real change and exert control over our energy future.

To whom it may concern,

Please see the attached comments on the TCI Framework for a Draft for a Regional Policy from the Berkshire Environmental Action Team and No Fracked Gas in Mass.

Warm regards,
Logan Malik
Advocacy Coordinator, Berkshire Environmental Action Team
Program Director, No Fracked Gas in Mass

To Whom It May Concern,

I am opposed to this proposal because it would unfairly burden consumers and businesses in Pennsylvania who already pay the highest gasoline taxes in the country.

Thank You,

Quincy Longacre

I encourage Connecticut to sign on to the TCI and to pursue the creation of an efficient, low/no carbon transportation infrastructure.

I (and many other citizens) want cleaner choices. We need government leadership to incentivize industry to give us those cleaner choices. Doing so will benefit me, you, and the future of the whole world. Thank you for your attention.

The climate change problem will never be solved without a premiere public transportation plan - which MA sorely lacks at this moment. In addition, within metro Boston more bike lanes need to be developed and protected from vehicular traffic. Our streets are too dangerous for bikers! The MBTA needs a major infusion of funds and overhaul. And we need more EV buses and local vans for short trips. Lyft and Uber aren't the solution. Data shows that they are adding to the traffic problem because more cars are driving around empty, waiting for rides. This is a serious crisis - but one that can be solved.

Reducing transportation sector emissions and modernizing our transportation sector is something that cannot wait. It can and must be dealt with now! Sufficient data shows that emissions contribute 38% of green house gases and have long been known to impact people of all ages, most notably the young and those with compromised health issues. Epidemiological models reveal associated health problems from vehicles.

On many fronts, the fallout from Climate Change is being recognized as an existential threat to humans. Transportation pollution is an added factor to the Climate Change equation. Rising sea levels, warmer temperatures, loss of wildlife habitats, devastating earthquakes and tornadoes, increased forest fires, land erosion, and polluted air are a mega threat to all of us.

We are beyond the need for more studies and reasons to procrastinate. Leaders must show they are on top of meeting the exigencies affecting our health and that they care. Can we justify why we are polluting their air of our children and diminishing their future?

I entreat you to take action. My appreciation to Governor Lamont for taking the initiative.

With all due respect and regard
Cordially,
Ann Beaudin