TCI Regional Policy Design Stakeholder Submissions

Reducing transportation sector emissions is important to me because I'd like to leave a cleaner Earth for my grandchildren. I would like to
thank Gov. Lamont for being involved in the regional design process and request that Connecticut formally sign on to the initiative. We need the TCI leadership to choose the most aggressive greenhouse gas emissions cap since we have already lost precious time in our environmental efforts.
I'm also asking TCI policy has to include equity and investment in overburdened and under-served communities as a first and foremost priority.

I support this initiative because transportation is one of the primary barriers to equality in our state, and also the largest contributor of carbon emissions in RI. Many patients at the Pawtucket, RI, medical clinic where I work miss important appointments because of transportation limitations. Pedestrian and bicycle options are poor in Pawtucket--people feel unsafe walking in areas with no pedestrian crosswalks, lights, or lights that do not work. If more of our patients could walk or bike to work, school, their clinic, or the grocery store, we would undoubtedly see improvements in markers of chronic noncommunicable disease (e.g. obesity, hypertension, high cholesterol, etc.). Additionally, if public transportation options were improved, many of our patients' daily stress levels would be reduced: their work commute times could be lowered and they could accomplish essential tasks more easily and cheaply. If public transportation options were increased while simultaneously lowering average vehicle emissions, one would also anticipate significantly lower rates of asthma, a condition which has direct relationship to exhaust particulate matter (in fact, the likelihood of an asthma-related pediatric emergency department visit tracks closely to house proximity to major highways in RI). More, better, and greener transportation options would create a healthier Rhode Island.

The study showed the benefits for the state economies, jobs, and asthma rates, etc. of the cap and invest program proposed. However I was shocked at how the proposal from this whole effort would only result in 1-6% emissions reductions from the baseline case. This is simply not at the scale of the problem we face. Incrementalist approaches are no longer an option--we have to get transportation emissions down in the decade of 2032 by as close to 100% as possible. Our study showed how that could be done in one TCI state, Rhode Island. See: https://www.sei.org/publications/deeper-decarbonization-in-the-ocean-state/. My concern is that this initiative will create the perception that something is being done about climate change, when this is utterly, utterly, inadequate. Thank you.

I support the TCI as a way to take an external cost (the cost hydrocarbon combustion places on the environment) and internalize it back on those supplying and consuming the hydrocarbons for transportation. If the taxes can then be invested in public transportation that does not rely on carbon fuels, and serves those who are currently relying on private automobiles, focusing on currently underserved populations, then I believe the TCI will be a success.

Transportation infrastructure should include vegetated green infrastructure to manage stormwater as well as reduce air pollution and urban heat. Vegetation directly adjacent to roadways can decrease PM2.5 and PM10 as well as be up to 9 degrees cooler than surrounding areas. In addition, vegetation incorporated into transportation networks helps sequester CO2 and other GHG.

In keeping with other long-term initiatives like “Ready for 100% by 2030”, we must keep the pressure on by making sure each and every one of these new initiatives towards a renewable future sees the light of day.

The TCI is just another tax, added to the ridiculous tax burden that we are already under. It won't help carbon emissions or clean air, it will just make life more difficult for working people. It is time for a good 10% cut across the the state goverment.

This proposed initiative if enacted will place a burden on my business of which we rely on gas and diesel to do our work. We need to go to people's homes and businesses to do our work.The cost of doing business in Rhode Island is already an issue for business and this will add to it. We would be forced to raise our rates to cover the added expense and that will put our service out of reach to most people and we will not be able to hire and might have to downsize.

Maine must support clean transportation to combat climate change and make it easier and cheaper to get around. We can not continue to allow the entrenched fossil fuel industry to literally drive us over a cliff that means more pollution, more carbon emissions and missed economic development opportunities. Our family of five fully supports the multi-state Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI)!

Pollution from old cars and trucks is our largest source of pollution, and as a rural state we have our fair share of transportation problems. Mainers deserve solutions that get us safely to work, to stores and appointments, and to our favorite outdoor places—solutions that are affordable, reliable, and reduce air pollution. The technology and know-how exists to get us there; the only thing stopping us is deaf politicians that continue to protect industry over citizens.

TCI will bring significant economic, environmental, and health benefits to Maine, providing hundreds of millions of dollars for local communities in economic growth and health benefits. The TCI keeps investment in our state and revitalizes our transportation sector which in turn will improve business and the tourism economy. TCI is just what we need right now. When federal leadership is non-existent we must lead locally and regionally. Please support, fund and encourage TCI.