TCI Regional Policy Design Stakeholder Submissions

I don’t support this. It will hurt low and middle class families and local businesses. It will drive more people out of Vermont and hurt our economy.

I am writing to encourage Gov. Scott to join TCI today.

Whether or not Vermont joins TCI, we will pay. TCI will require fossil fuel depot operators to purchase an allocation for the amount of pollution their products cause. As the Deputy Secretary of the Agency of Natural Resources explained, Vermont imports 100% of its gasoline and diesel from fuel depots located in other states. While depot operators could absorb these costs out of their profits, it is anticipated that they will pass most, if not all, of their obligation expenses onto downstream distributors. If, as seems likely, some of the states Vermont imports fossil fuels from join TCI then Vermont distributors will be burdened with TCI’s compliance costs and they, in turn, will pass those costs onto consumers whether or not Vermont joins the compact.

If Vermont joins TCI, the State will receive more revenue for investments than Vermonters contribute to the program. As currently contemplated, the proceeds from depots buying allowances will be distributed to TCI states based on the volume of transit fuels sold within each jurisdiction. This design works in Vermont’s favor since, as Scott Administration officials estimated at the recent public meetings, 20-25% of the gasoline and on-road diesel sales in Vermont are sold to out-of-state travelers. That means that for every dollar Vermonters contribute, the State will receive as much as $1.25-$1.33 for 21st Century transportation investments.

Taken together, these points make joining TCI a no-brainer, and refusal to join a disservice to Vermont’s economy. Vermonters will pay either way, but if we’re in we’ll receive back more than we put in.

Governor Scott:
Please support the Transportation and Climate Initiative. There is no other issue which is more important. If we don't address the climate crisis all the other efforts we make for the well being of Vermonters will be for nought. Vermont should be leading in the effort to solve climate related problems. We do not have time to be lukewarm and measured in our steps. We need to act boldly and with courage. It is time for the brave little state of Vermont to set an example for the nation! Phil Scott, man up, and be the committed leader we need you to be!
Anne Damrosch

I'm confident that joining TCI will improve our transportation system, reduce carbon emissions, and provide an opportunity to better address issues of economic inequality. There are serious costs associated with failing to act, and as a Vermont resident, I know that I'll end up paying TCI’s compliance costs whether or not the governor decides to sign on. TCI isn't a silver bullet, but it's an important step in the right direction, and Vermont should absolutely join.

Vermont really needs to do more to reduce emissions. A carbon tax would be great.

Have become sick & tired of hearing carefully reasoned, public interventions to address market failures WRT unpriced externalities (think: TCI, Essex Plan) framed as nothing more than taxes. Both of these proposals included side payments to the vulnerable to soften their landing in a bumpy future. Is no one able to think and talk in terms of net outcomes? You're better than that.

Try to think analogously about this. You acted on gun control legislation because , God forbid, a mass shooting should happen on your watch. The next Irene IS out there, you and I just don't know when and how bad. Trust me, you want to be on record as having excercised some vision and initiative on this one.

When will be the next time we have an opportunity to substantially reduce GHGs through a regional approach that will financially benefit the State, providing funds to promote climate initiatives and ensure equity for low income Vermonters? This is a common-sense policy--lets not miss this chance.

Governor Scott,
Please support the TCI initiative. We owe it to our children and grand children to address the Climate crisis NOW.
No solution is perfect, but action is essential. Let's get going.
Respectfully,
Katherine Walker

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.