TCI Regional Policy Design Stakeholder Submissions

Let's start with the obvious: This plan will punish anyone who has to drive to work, the farther the greater, and will simply fatten the coffers of the state legislature to waste in typically unimaginable ways. "Earmarks"? There is no such thing in this state, only the next black hole to pour our money into. Next, if it's such a great initiative, why are adjoining states fleeing from it like rats on a sinking ship? Third: Where will its appetite end? First, it's 17 cents, then a quarter, then...California here we come! If the state really wanted to affect climate change by enhancing public transportation, it would create a public transportation system that actually works consistently and efficiently, is accessible to citizens, and is reasonably priced. So far, every "initiative" has turned into a boondoggle...but a very lucrative one for the state's wallet. Please stop treating us as if we are so stupefied by letting you get away with your countless past indulgences that you think this is just another folder of b.s. you can slip under our door in the middle of the night.

A Commission with no one to be held accountable to? Increased taxes at any rate they feel is appropriate? Increased costs to all things "fossil," whether personally used or consumed by delivery to home or store? And at what benefit? Barely any...if any at all. This is, plain and simple, a way for an aggressive, out-of-control fear lobby to fund itself in the form of billions of dollars stolen from those already taxed beyond their means. It is another "feel good, do nothing" ploy, plain and simple. NO! NO!! NO!!!

I am against this plan. I drive all throughout Maine to help assist my disabled Mother and other family members spread over the state. And my job requires I drive out of state. I cannot be forced to drive an electric car.

We all are aware of the science of human-caused climate change and the climate crisis that is now upon us. Given the urgency of the hour, we need to make a war-time effort to stop the prolific production of greenhouse gases and CO2 emissions. The fact that our transportation sector is one of the leading causes of this dangerous phenomenon clearly shows us that the reduction of CO2 and PM 2.5 particulates from all forms of internal combustion engine-driven vehicles is vital. The switch of all our public transportation vehicles, be they buses or trucks must be rapidly transformed into all-electric motor propulsion. And we don't have time to wait another 10-20 years! It needs to start now!

We have the technology and funds to do so. The cost to not do so and delay will be far more than if we act now. There are studies abroad that clearly show this. We also need to stop the production and sale of all internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles and heavily tax those still on the road. Gas subsidies to the big oil corporations need to end as well. If this were done, we would see a mass shift to electric vehicles by the populace in general, and car manufacturers would either convert to all electric-powered vehicles or cease to exist.

We're talking about the future of human life on this planet, let alone all the non-human species. This is serious, and if we really love our children, and our own well being, but especially the children and grandchildren in our lives, we will take this seriously and be willing to do what it takes to make the change. The sacrifices we are willing to make now will pay large dividens in the near future!

Hi,

I am a resident of Vermont and I am opposed to the creation of the TCI. I attended a meeting, one of several held around the state, where we were told that this regional compact was based on another successful regional compact, the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). We were lead to believe that RGGI was successful in it's mission and that TCI would be as well by building off these successes. In fact, RGGI has failed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions but instead has created a tax that emitters pay to emit greenhouse gases. Like most corporate taxes these days the tax ends up being pushed onto consumers, while the benefit of the tax is to support home upgrades to reduce energy usage for heating and cooling, the end result is a failure of it's promoted mission. From the presentation given, it was clear that TCI would do a similar thing by taxing those who import gasoline and diesel into the participating states which would then cause the price at the pump to increase. So the tax on the importers would be passed directly onto consumers. While the mission of TCI is commendable, to reduce the impacts of climate change in the transportation sector and to use the funds raised by the tax to support battery powered and other vehicle purchases by consumers to lower the amount of emissions from the transportation sector. This is an important goal to have and to realize. I am not convinced that creating a bureaucracy to increase taxes which may or not be successful in it's goals is the best solution. Are there alternatives to this approach that can have the same effects? A direct tax at the pumps that is designated for the support of transitioning our vehicle choices away from low mpg and high emissions ones? I am asking for a better and more well-thought out solution or an honest approach to the citizens of those states attempting to join this compact. This is a tax that will be directed onto consumers. Can we accomplish the same things with a direct tax on gasoline and diesel that is set aside in a fund to support this work? The gasoline and diesel market in our state is already a mess with prices much higher in the Chittenden County area even after the main owners of gas stations were sued by the state for price-fixing. Can we trust these people to not price fix when they are passing on a tax to us? A region-wide tax at the pump that is protected for its desired use is a much better way to accomplish our goals and doesn't try and pass off the plan as not a tax when it clearly is a direct tax to anyone who drives a vehicle.

Please oppose TCI until the plan is modified to be truthful to consumers and nullifies any possibility that the monopolies that already cheat consumers to do so in the name of minimizing the impacts of climate change. We must shift our transportation sector away from the use of fossil fuels which will not last forever and have negative impacts on our environment, TCI as it was laid out to the public is not the best way to do this.