TCI Regional Policy Design Stakeholder Submissions

How we get around is important and transportation is the largest source of air pollution in the region. 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, the quieter our communities become and the more lives we save. Maryland should join TCI to fund better transportation infrastructure, reduce traffic, and make my community a cleaner, safer place to live. We need to transfer to all electric cars and buses as soon as possible, build a monorail to Frederick that ties into the existing subway, and make public transportation free to all people, with a priority on low income households.
Public Health: It is clear that air pollution from cars, trucks, and buses have become a huge detriment to my community’s health. Air pollution has been linked to a variety of health problems, including asthma, heart disease, and lung cancer, and the more ambitious TCI is, the more our community stands to benefit from a cleaner transportation system. I urge my Governor to join TCI and push it to be as ambitious as possible, for the sake of my community’s health and livelihood. Having lived near the Dickerson Power Plant and Incinerator for many years, I can attest to the effects of particulates in aggravating my allergies and causing endless respiratory problems.

As a person living in a rural area, I think that TCI is extremely important. When states join TCI, they have the opportunity to invest in rural communities where transportation options are limited. Joining TCI would allow Maryland to ensure that rural communities aren’t left behind in the green transition and stuck behind the wheel of costly, inefficient vehicles. Governor Hogan should push for an ambitious TCI program so that rural communities like mine get the solutions they need, including adequate sidewalks in small town so people can walk safely to the train station, post office and stores.

I live in a rural area with limited pubic transportation therefore I think that TCI is extremely important. I would like to drive less and take public transportation more. When states join TCI, they have the opportunity to invest in rural communities where transportation options are limited. Joining TCI would allow Maryland to ensure that rural communities aren’t left behind in the green transition and stuck behind the wheel of costly, inefficient vehicle that are the main source of pollution and green house gasses.. Governor Hogan should push for an ambitious TCI program so that rural communities like mine get the solutions they need. Specifically, we need more Marc train service not just the limited offering of 2020. We need more busses run by clean energy to offer connections to public transportation. We need something like a Monorail service from Shady Grove Metro to Frederick. This is just the area I know about. I know there are lots more.

Since transportation is the largest source of air pollution in our metropolitan regions, we need to build a modern, clean, safe, and accessible and affordable transportation system for the 21st century. Fighting climate change and air pollution requires that we limit pollution from motor fuels. This "fight" will create more jobs , stimulate the economy, and by providing cleaner air save lives. Maryland should join TCI to fund better transportation infrastructure, reduce traffic, and make our state a cleaner, safer place to live.

Please consider the value of drawing down carbon by building soil health in the discussion about how to allocate funds to be received from TCI. This also can contribute to improved water quality, climate resilience, and food production. Compensating farmers and other land managers for building soil carbon and water storage is one important part of Vermont's climate objectives. The Payment for Ecosystem Services Working Group is currently working on ways to measure ecosystem services provided by farmers and land managers, and identify sources of funding to reward them for this work. Perhaps TCI could provide part of the revenue needed to compensate farmers for drawing down carbon.

Another readily measurable way to reduce our GHG emissions is to encourage substitution of biological methods such as compost application and cover cropping for use of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers. Support for farmers to replace synthetic nitrogen with compost to provide crop nutrients will serve to sequester carbon in addition to reducing nitrous oxide emissions. Nitrogen synthesis currently consumes vast quantities of natural gas in an energy intensive process. As a bonus, implementation of the solid waste recycling requirement would be supported by market incentives for community based compost production--a win-win for both environment and farm economy.

Thank you for considering these suggestions, submitted on behalf of the Vermont Healthy Soils Coalition - www.vermonthealthysoilscoalition.org

We already voted against the gas tax! This is an unconstitutional method to further tax us and take more of our hard-earned money! Stop overspending in this state and start representing the hard-working taxpayers for once.

As a concerned citizen I urge all leader and legislators to take strong and immediate actions to battle Climate Change. The TCI is one step toward making our planet a more livable space for us and generations to come.

STOP IT! We don’t need any more taxes or fees in Rhode Island. We pay enough! MA already has cheaper gas. Why would you make it more difficult to complete with MA? This garbage is why people are fleeing RI. I can’t wait to retire and move to a state that respects its citizens and supports business and doesn’t look to rip off taxpayers!

Transportation is the number one source of climate pollution in the United States. Having not seen one snow flake since the start of the new year, we are seeing climate collapse happening before our eyes! We must make radical changes and totally reimagine the way that we transport people and goods.

I support New Jersey and it's work on a groundbreaking policy to modernize the transportation sector under the Transportation and Climate Initiative.

In order for this regional plan to work, governors of these states and the mayor of Washington, D.C., must ensure that this transportation plan is bold enough to cut harmful transportation pollution at the scale needed to avert the climate crisis. We need a plan that holds large transportation polluters accountable for the pollution they create and invests in clean transportation solutions including:
• More public transit and electric vehicle infrastructure in rural areas
• Expansion of commuter rail, electric vehicles, and streets in the suburbs that are safe, walkable, and bikeable
• Sustainable and equitable housing near transit and electric bus fleets in urban communities

Please, let's protect the planet for not only our children and grandchildren, but ourselves!

Thank you!