|
11/3/2019 |
Mai Huong |
Nguyen |
None |
Bangor |
Maine |
I absolutely support clean transportation for Maine! I absolutely support clean transportation for Maine! |
- |
|
11/4/2019 |
Mark |
Wellman |
Strategistics.us |
Bangor |
Maine |
The whole concept of TCI is simply another tax implemented to fund excessive and irresponsible government spending. We do not need nor can we excuse the terrible waste in government already. Most... read more The whole concept of TCI is simply another tax implemented to fund excessive and irresponsible government spending. We do not need nor can we excuse the terrible waste in government already. Most people living on fixed incomes are already hurting from outrageous healthcare costs, increasing food prices, living costs and taxes. To add any gas tax will increase the cost of all goods delivered by truck, rail and air. This would be irresponsible on all accounts. Furthermore, there is no proof of a climate change threat. Indeed, just the opposite based on historical data. This is just another Tax and Spend initiative that will again hurt Maine citizens. May God save us from politicians influenced by lobbyists and their money. This reminds me of the reasons why we are subsidizing wind power. Ridiculous. |
- |
|
11/10/2019 |
Ann |
Holland |
citizen |
Bangor |
Maine |
This initiative brings hope for a regional collaboration to reduce harmful pollution and needless expense in the transportation sector. Please hear the voices of the people who believe in science... read more This initiative brings hope for a regional collaboration to reduce harmful pollution and needless expense in the transportation sector. Please hear the voices of the people who believe in science and support local solutions to local challenges. We have the ability to forge new ways of getting people where they want and need to go, without destroying our environment or contributing financially to the producers of fossil fuels, most of whom do not reside in New England. We have the ability, now we need to have the will to do the groundwork and follow through. |
- |
|
12/17/2019 |
Jo Ann |
Higgins |
REALTOR |
Bangor |
Maine |
Maine cannot afford this scheme. Portland may be set up for using mass transit, but the rest of the state is not. There is too much rural area where people rely on the use of cars and trucks to... read more Maine cannot afford this scheme. Portland may be set up for using mass transit, but the rest of the state is not. There is too much rural area where people rely on the use of cars and trucks to get to work, to get to schools, to get to medical services, to get to grocery stores. Making the cost of fuel higher will hurt the majority of the residents of this state to the benefit of the more populous states in this agreement. It is simply bad for Maine! |
- |
|
12/18/2019 |
byron |
Ogden |
indy walk away |
Bangor |
Maine |
|
- |
|
1/12/2020 |
Jennifer |
Hodgens |
Woodard & Curran |
Bangor |
Maine |
This is a very bad deal for Maine! The negligible positive impact that is delusionally believed to occur will NOT be worth the financial burden. This is a deal that other states have already... read more This is a very bad deal for Maine! The negligible positive impact that is delusionally believed to occur will NOT be worth the financial burden. This is a deal that other states have already recognized to be lousy and walked away from and Maine needs to do the same. This is worse than the decision to put solar panels on the Blaine House. |
- |
|
1/16/2020 |
Jeff |
Reynolds |
Mr. |
Bangor |
Maine |
|
- |
|
1/21/2020 |
Jo Ann |
Higgins |
REALTOR |
Bangor |
Maine |
I oppose Maine's participation in TCI. It would be at the expense of higher gas taxes for too many Mainers who rely on personal transportation. Many of them, especially in Maine's... read more I oppose Maine's participation in TCI. It would be at the expense of higher gas taxes for too many Mainers who rely on personal transportation. Many of them, especially in Maine's rural areas, are already at the low end of the economic scale. Personally, I am a real estate broker living in Bangor but working with properties in Penobscot, Piscataquis, Waldo, and Hancock counties. I put miles on my car most weeks. An added gas tax will increase my cost of doing business. And electric cars are just too impractical for 80% of Maine's landmass. |
- |
|
1/21/2020 |
Cathy |
Bryant |
Mainers Against TCI |
Bangor |
Maine |
Mainers cannot afford the Transportation Climate Initiative. Driving in Maine is different than in many states that have more options for public transportation, not that this initiative would be... read more Mainers cannot afford the Transportation Climate Initiative. Driving in Maine is different than in many states that have more options for public transportation, not that this initiative would be good for any state. This is a rural state, and driving is a necessity for jobs, school, etc. Additionally, most Mainers are already living paycheck to paycheck as the cost of living is much higher here. We cannot afford the tax increase this initiative would bring. |
- |
|
2/18/2020 |
Jeff |
Reynolds |
Mr. |
Bangor |
Maine |
“We can cut poverty and pollution at the same time. We urge you to move forward with a regional program that prioritizes the needs of communities overburdened with pollution and underserved in... read more “We can cut poverty and pollution at the same time. We urge you to move forward with a regional program that prioritizes the needs of communities overburdened with pollution and underserved in mobility options.” |
- |
|
2/24/2020 |
Nancy |
Earle |
artist |
Bangor |
Maine |
I feel we need to move fast on lessening the impact of climate chaos. One way is to remove fossil fuels from all vehicles, particularly busses and
trucks. We need facilities to promote... read more I feel we need to move fast on lessening the impact of climate chaos. One way is to remove fossil fuels from all vehicles, particularly busses and
trucks. We need facilities to promote this and to do this as quickly as possible. We are moving far too slowly while the planet is warming up much too quickly. If we think it is expensive now, watch the future. |
- |
|
2/24/2020 |
Jeff |
Reynolds |
Mr. |
Bangor |
Maine |
Please support cleaner transportation- there's no time to waste. Thank you ! read more Please support cleaner transportation- there's no time to waste. Thank you ! |
- |
|
2/27/2020 |
Karen |
Marysdaughter |
Transportation for All |
Bangor |
Maine |
I am a regular bus rider in Bangor, Maine and a member of a public transit advocacy group called Transportation for All. I definitely want to see Maine participate in TCI, following the example... read more I am a regular bus rider in Bangor, Maine and a member of a public transit advocacy group called Transportation for All. I definitely want to see Maine participate in TCI, following the example of RGGI. I am especially excited that TCI could be a conduit for more funding for public transit! I want to see public transit supported vigorously in Maine, both within local communities and as connectors between communities. I'd also like to see policies that support the reduction of sprawl and the encouragement of walkable neighborhoods. Transit riders and drivers should be key stakeholders in developing transportation policies. Policies should not only focus on economic and environmental sustainability, but on equity - assuring that public transportation is available for the people who most need it, such as the disabled, the elderly, and those on limited incomes. |
- |
|
2/27/2020 |
Jeremy |
Perry |
Mr. |
Bangor |
Maine |
This is completely unfair. Maine is already the third highest taxed state in America. Maine does not need any higher or new taxes. All this so-called initiative does is punishing the people who... read more This is completely unfair. Maine is already the third highest taxed state in America. Maine does not need any higher or new taxes. All this so-called initiative does is punishing the people who live out in rural areas who commute to work. And please don’t make heating your homes a crime. Please do the right thing and say no. |
- |
|
2/26/2020 |
John |
Phelps |
Stakeholder |
Balto |
Maryland |
Concerns I have with the initiative:
1. 100% of the data was provided by biased institutions and government agencies.
2. These 12 states have a population exceeding 60 million.... read more Concerns I have with the initiative:
1. 100% of the data was provided by biased institutions and government agencies.
2. These 12 states have a population exceeding 60 million. However there were only 3 focus groups with only 1000 attendees.
3. The result of doing nothing will be a 19% improvement. The TCI plan calls for $40 billion in taxes with an overly optimistic improvement of an additional 5%
4. Reducing fuel consumption by 30% will devastate state tax coffers. What will offset this?
5. These proposed taxes will hit the lowest wage earners the hardest. They are also the least likely to purchase an electric car.
6. There is no clear path to a measurable result. Also no accountability in the impending failure.
7. This will surely spawn another govt agency that will cost much and produce nothing.
8. The result of prior initiatives like wind have taken 50 years to achieve the results promised in 5. Wind and solar are extremely inefficient due to the continued need for fossil fuel plants in the event the wind doesn’t blow or the sun doesn’t shine, which is often.
9. Some of the projected benefits are completely ambiguous like the health benefit from walking and riding a bike. In Baltimore both are unsafe practices.
TCI needs to do the following:
1. Produce an unbiased study which considers taxpayer impact, the inefficiency of government to efficiently execute and to identify a specific set of results with total accountability when it doesn’t work.
2. Look at other alternatives that people actually use. Solicit major public input on other options don’t just rely on environmental consultants and government agencies that are completely biased.
3. Identify and communicate a clear objective benefit to the taxpayer other than the government telling them what’s good for them.
4. Don’t exclude those from the conversation that will be most impacted, create a team of business leaders and citizens. Don’t do all the work behind closed doors.
Thanks for your consideration. This proposal needs a lot of work it’s obviously written by academics and regulators. Get private industries who will be impacted to weigh in. Let us work together for comprehensive environmental improvement.
Respectfully submitted
John Phelps
President
Highs of Baltimore LLC
443 463 3654
|
- |
|
2/28/2020 |
Richard |
Doran |
none |
Baltimore City |
Maryland |
I Have studied transportation issues for about 30 years. You do not need another long letter citing the all of the reasons this needs to happen. Stop denying the logic because the time for... read more I Have studied transportation issues for about 30 years. You do not need another long letter citing the all of the reasons this needs to happen. Stop denying the logic because the time for solutions is almost past. As a great, late politician used to say "Do it now!" |
- |
|
10/23/2019 |
Charles |
Skinner |
None |
Baltimore |
Maryland |
Creating a strong initiative that reduces transportation pollution, including smog and greenhouse gases, as quickly as possible is vital to public health, a resilient economy and a sustainable... read more Creating a strong initiative that reduces transportation pollution, including smog and greenhouse gases, as quickly as possible is vital to public health, a resilient economy and a sustainable environment. Copying from the successful Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative on power plants to cap transportation emissions and invest in communities and clean resilient infrastructure is one promising approach. Improved mass transit and inter-city rail is also essential since we cannot solve congestion simply by building more roads or lanes. Population growth will add further pressure to this issue. Electric buses are already more cost-effective, not to mention healthier, cleaner and quieter, than diesel ones; a strong push to procure only electric buses going forward is a big winner. Electric vehicles are widely forecast to be price competitive (without incentives) with combustion ones within the next 4 to 5 years. We need to more quickly get the charging infrastructure underway to support the likely surge in demand for EVs. |
- |
|
11/5/2019 |
Abdul |
khokhar |
gas staion owner/dealer |
Baltimore |
Maryland |
this bill will destroy my lively hood, its already too hard to survive, i have to be on 24x7 on call put lots of hour to save labor so i can meet both ends. Two kids in college and one high school... read more this bill will destroy my lively hood, its already too hard to survive, i have to be on 24x7 on call put lots of hour to save labor so i can meet both ends. Two kids in college and one high school.
i don"t know anything else and i am 57 years old. please do not make these changes to destroy my livelihood.
thanks |
- |
|
11/5/2019 |
Sohaib |
mahmood |
2022 |
baltimore |
Maryland |
It's a nice idea but I feel it will be a negative impact on some pumps as some pumps relay on gas sales to make money and profits. read more It's a nice idea but I feel it will be a negative impact on some pumps as some pumps relay on gas sales to make money and profits. |
- |
|
11/5/2019 |
Lisa |
McNeilly |
Baltimore Office of Sustainability |
Baltimore |
Maryland |
The Baltimore Office of Sustainability appreciates the opportunity to provide input and feedback on the framework for a draft regional policy proposal prepared by the Transportation Climate... read more The Baltimore Office of Sustainability appreciates the opportunity to provide input and feedback on the framework for a draft regional policy proposal prepared by the Transportation Climate Initiative. The City of Baltimore has committed to achieving reductions similar to goals set by the Paris agreement: 25 percent reduction by 2020 and 30 percent by 2025 (relative to 2007). Our most recent inventory showed that emissions have dropped by 15-20 percent, but more work still needs to be done to ensure that all residents are able to breathe cleaner air and face reduced risks of natural disasters. About 30 percent of our city’s greenhouse emissions come from the transportation sector.
Our 2019 Sustainability Plan lays out strategies and actions around climate change, transportation, and equity (among other topics), and is the basis for our comments:
Program Design Elements: Equity
• We applaud the emphasis on historic inequities in the development of programmatic outcomes. We recommend that a shared definition of equity be developed and included in the final framework, and that the framework also reflect how equity will also be included in the process moving forward. Will there be shared standards around community engagement and involvement as TCI is implemented and as decisions are made about investment of proceeds.
• The commitment to working with low-income communities, communities of color, and communities with limited mobility options (not just soliciting feedback from) should be strengthened.
• Seemingly absent from this framework is any discussion of how to make the impact of the TCI program less regressive, in terms of mitigating the impact on low-income individuals of the upward pressure on gasoline prices.
• Equity concerns are also central to the “additional program design elements” and more discussion of equity in these sections would improve the framwork and the eventual program.
Program Design Elements: Regulated Entities
• We would like to see clarification about the definition of a ‘supplier’ – will there be a minimum threshold of gallons sold? Is it expected that a City that dispenses fuel only to its own fleet vehicles would be a regulated entity?
• Will there be any industries or categories of entities that are exempted from regulation? If so, the process for determining these exemptions should be public and transparent and include an analysis of the impacts of these exemptions on the cost of the program.
Flexibility, Allowance Allocation, and Stringency
• We would like to see more information in the framework to address the possibility of leakage, or describing why this is not expected to be a problem.
• A risk that TCI is likely already considering is the potential for black market sales of product obtained in non-participant states. This represents a particular risk for poorer communities, insomuch as black market activities might concentrate in those areas.
• The TCI must also be considering border effects for fuel sales. Wealthier, more mobile individuals are more likely to be able to travel to non-regulated jurisdictions to obtain less expensive product.
Additional Program Design Elements: Investment of Proceeds
• We recommend that investment guidelines be jointly developed by member states. At a minimum, these guidelines should cover the process that each jurisdiction should use to get community input into decisions about how to invest proceeds. A preferred hierarchy or proportion of project types would also be beneficial. For example, should a set percentage of proceeds be used to mitigate or offset the impact on low-income households of any price increases?
• Similarly, a proactive emphasis on complementary policies would be valuable. For example, coordinated policy fora might be established to address complementary policies in the area of land use, infrastructure, etc.
|
TCI Draft Framework comments Baltimore Office of Sustainability November 2019.pdf |
