TCI Regional Policy Design Stakeholder Submissions

I strongly support the development and implementation of policies to reduce transportation pollution in our region. The resulting improvements in air quality are essential for public health, including for my own family members who have medical conditions affecting their lungs. Furthermore, it is imperative that we act now to curb the effects of climate change so that future generations of Marylanders can live healthy, productive lives. Please enact policies like the proposed cap and invest program to limit pollution and carbon emissions and to invest in a better future for Marylanders.

Maryland is joining states across the region that are trying to protect the climate and improve transportation through the development of a policy collaboration called the Transportation & Climate Initiative (TCI). I live in Maryland and support this policy. i am writing to add my voice in order to overpower big oil companies that are currently lobbying against this.

Please enter into the TCI. I support the cap and invest method that has been proposed. This policy could set a declining cap on the amount of carbon pollution released by the use of transportation fuels by requiring entities like wholesale fuel distributors that sell gasoline and other fuels to retail outlets (i.e., gas stations) to purchase emission permits available under the cap (2). The proceeds from sale by states of those permits could then be invested in clean alternatives like electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, public transportation, walking and biking projects, and other smart growth initiatives, speeding up the must needed transition to a clean, equitable, 21st century transportation system.

Consider practical aspects as to each of the program elements and additional elements including:

Safe roads for biking and walking: Delineated bike lanes and sidewalks on one or both sides with traffic calming elements such as trees, traffic circles, etc. – see FHWA Traffic Calming course

More frequent and reliable public transportation: Shuttles on regular routes and schedules between neighborhoods and between neighborhoods and immediate destinations; extended busways and light rail in concert with shuttles to do medium length trips

Greater access to electric vehicles: Charging stations at regular gas stations

More equitable system: Penalties for/ laws to preclude idling such as in Philadelphia; surcharges for passenger car commuting; higher license fees for passenger cars; incentives for small and electric car purchases; incentives/disincentives for trip consolidation and vehicles with single person; remove tolls for electric and multi passenger vehicles and increase tolls for other traffic

Cleaner transportation options for everyone in the region: All electric/natural gas buses and rail; fully developed and connected networks with functional interface between modes.

Additional Elements:

ITS – Intelligent Transportation Systems e.g. smart signals, etc.

I am appalled that this is even being seriously considered. The onerous tax load on Maine's middle class and poor will be increased to an unacceptable level should gas prices increase as expected. Just recall, if you will, some years ago when gas prices rose, and the concomitant decimation of businesses. Unrealistic goals which harm so many voters should be rejected out of hand. Quite apart from the effect on businesses for which gasoline is a major part, someone who works, as I do, traveling from house to house helping Mainers live in their homes, will be dealt a blow which will make our already low wage worth even less. If something like this is considered, it should be AFTER public transportation has been improved, NOT before. Even then, the rural character of Maine makes private transportation necessary. Most of us cannot afford electric cars, even if we would choose to use something which has NOT been proven to be best for our environment, given the terrible environmental costs of those batteries. Please withdraw Maine from this bad deal.

I live in Bethany Beach, DE and strongly believe that we need to take action to begin to counter the devastating impact of humanity on the environment. This is one step in the right direction. Please set a policy that has a price high enough to effectively reduce emissions according to the latest science. Please design a policy that has a strong component of social equity and doesn’t hurt rural, low/moderate income people. Thank you for the bipartisan nature of this project as we must work together as hard to fix as we did to break the environment.

I'm writing to encourage a thoughtful approach to equity and transportation in the TCI. In particular, I ask that you include a cap on carbon emissions of at least 25% by 2032, an increase in the minimum investment in overburdened and underserved communities (>35%), and that investments be put towards active transportation like better sidewalks, bicycle infrastructure, and high quality public transit. Thank you for taking action to support healthier and more sustainable communities for the future.