TCI Regional Policy Design Stakeholder Submissions

The initiative should be implemented on a multi-state basis while emphasizing principles of justice and funding for a decarbonized transit future. As such, any money raised through fees or taxes should be rebated directly to working class members or used to implement free public transit system repairs, electric car fuel infrastructure, new transit system implementation and subsidies for purchasing electric cars.

The funding could also help transition the operation of refining facilities and renewable generation as well as investment in public or common ownership of sustainable products and high-tech innovation. Alongside sustainable infrastructure development and building retrofits, we should be developing a low-carbon economy that features social care, high-speed public or social broadband, and remote-work initiatives.

At the heart of the project has to be an understanding that taxes or fees are not only inefficient means of driving innovation and development but can harm some of the most vulnerable. As such, we should move forward while acknowledging the reality of inequality and oligarchy control that have sparked riots and collective action in response to fossil fuel price and subsidy rises from Ecuador to France.

Following the release on October 1 of the Framework for a Draft Regional Policy Proposal, and ahead of the release of a multi-state draft memorandum of understanding (MOU) to advance the policy design process, our coalition of vehicle manufacturers, fuel providers, and industry groups wishes to express our support for the development and implementation of a coordinated regional cap-and-invest program to hasten an equitable transition toward a cleaner transportation economy and healthier communities throughout the region. Please find our full comments on the Framework attached.

The key to wider adoption of electric vehicles is building out a robust fast-charging infrastructure. Until consumers see DC fast-charging stations as a practical alternative to gas stations, they will be reluctant to consider buying electric cars. TCI should incentive or subsidize installation of tens of thousands of fast-charging stations of minimum 150 kW -- and the signage and advertising necessary to give them visibility to the wider public. New regulations could even REQUIRE gas stations to provide space for charging vendors like EVgo, Electrify America, Tesla, or local power authorities, to install EV fast-charging stations.

Level 2 charging stations are far less useful in general - but would be very useful in urban areas if paired with parking spots where residents could leave their cars overnight or throughout the week. These should be special street parking areas with Level 2 charging stations and suitable enforcement to heavily penalize internal combustion cars from parking in those spots. In my location (Brooklyn, NY), where most people don't have driveways, I'm sure that more people would buy EV's if they would be assured of parking spots paired with Level 2 charging!

I own a Tesla Model 3. I charge it from my home when I can get the parking spot in front of my house, and I frequently use Tesla Superchargers when I travel. But not everyone can organize their lives around parking and charging; we need to make electric vehicle charging as plentiful as gas stations.

Pollution from transportation is our largest source of global-warming emissions, both regionally and nationally.

As such, I strongly urge New York state to formally join the plan to reduce emissions and demand that the policy have a strong component of equity by prioritizing clean investments in areas overburdened by pollution and/or for those who don't have access.

While the Trump administration continues to set us back decades on climate policy, the bipartisan nature of this project is heartening and more vital than ever.

I am in strong support of the clean transportation plan. The transportation sector is a major contributor of carbon emissions that affects American quality of life today but also severely threatens our children’s future. I urge you to commit to reducing emissions and pollution from transportation, and also ensuring the policy has a strong component of equity by prioritizing clean investments in areas overburdened by pollution and/or for those who don't have access. I am very worried about our future but also heartened by this bipartisan effort that can hopefully pave the way for continued cooperation and unity on the matters of greatest importance today - climate change and inequity.

I care deeply about reducing pollution from transportation, which is our largest source of global warming emissions (regionally and nationally). Every State in our country should participate and do everything it can to clean up and maintain our environment not only for us but for the health of the entire planet. The policy should have a strong component of equity by prioritizing clean investments in areas overburdened by pollution and/or for those who don't have access.

Thank you for the bipartisan nature of this project, moving us forward while the federal government takes us backward!!!!! Your work is greatly appreciated.