TCI Regional Policy Design Stakeholder Submissions

I strongly support the Transportation and Climate Initiative TCI) because we have an urgent need to reduce our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in order to slow the devastating impacts of climate change. Connecticut and other states have set goals and made some progress, but we cannot meet this challenge by working separately. The success of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) shows the power of regional cooperation.

Transportation is now the largest source of GHG in Connecticut, accounting for 43% of GHG emissions, most of this coming from non-diesel light vehicles, in other words, our cars! Each year, American passenger cars and trucks, through vehicle tailpipe and oil extraction and transport emissions, spew upwards of three trillion tons of carbon pollution into the air by burning about 121 billion gallons of gasoline. In Connecticut, GHG emissions have risen since 2012, mostly in the transportation sector, likely due to lower gas prices, increased driving and increased popularity of inefficient vehicles (e.g., SUVs). TCI would support a switch to plug-in electric vehicles (EVs), which require no gasoline and emit no tailpipe pollution, presents a critical opportunity to slash pollution, create American jobs, reduce oil dependence, and benefit our state and regional economies.

Sales of electric cars are growing every year, but we need more EV-friendly policies to encourage a faster transition to an electrified transportation system. I own a fully electric vehicle and can attest to the benefits and savings, however we needed to add a level 2 charger to our garage to make charging faster and convenient. Many people, apartment dwellers and renters, cannot make these kinds of modifications to their residence. Of course, initial expense is also a barrier to adopting EVs for residents, municipalities and businesses. We must act now to remove barriers and make electric vehicles less expensive and more convenient. Connecticut should ensure long term funding for our successful EV incentive program, expand EV charging infrastructure, and encourage electrification of public transportation, school bus fleets, trucks and ships.

TCI will help us achieve our clean transportation goals by working cooperatively and will create a large regional market resulting in cost savings. We can achieve success by working regionally through the TCI to set goals and implement a cap on CO2 emissions from transportation, and fund clean transportation efforts by limiting, pricing, and reducing carbon pollution from transportation fuels.

No taxation without representation! This RINO governor has taxed the middle class into poverty. No to this tax!

This tax will hurt my business and my lifestyle. I live and work in South County area of Rhode Island and it isn't feasible for bikes and there isn't any public transportation. My business requires us to go to people's homes to we work and TCI will add an unfair burden on our business and we don't have room to pass the cost along to the consumer

Greetings! As a college student I strongly support expanding zero-emissions vehicles and low-to-zero emissions mass transit options (e.g. buses, streetcars, trains, etc) and generally transitioning to more sustainable, low-carbon transportation. Thank you!

Hello,
As a mother, I support increasing the sustainability of our transportation system.
Please support a cap on carbon emissions of at least 25% by 2032.
I also request that investments be put towards active transportation like better sidewalks, bicycle infrastructure, and high quality public transit.
Take care,
Amy Hansen

I left Boston to live in Maine, excited to have space for a garden, dogs and chickens, easy access to outdoor activities and the peace of a more rural setting. These have been just a few of my favorite things about exchanging city life for Maine life. But my one lingering frustration is the amount of driving I have to do, and the very limited access to public transportation. Why can't Maine have a commuter rail system into its city centers? Why can't Maine do more to build up a public transportation infrastructure, such as shuttles and buses, even in rural areas? If you build it, I suspect they'll come.

Please see the attached comments from The Nature Conservancy on the framework for a draft regional policy proposal.

I am passionate about reducing pollution from transportation, in part because transportation is our largest source of global warming emissions. We are in the midst of a climate crisis, and we need to do everything in our power to reduce emissions in a just way. I urge this plan to include equity at every stage of the process, by ensuring that clean investments are prioritized for communities who are traditionally left out and who face more of the burden from pollution. Corporations need to be held accountable, and the benefits need to be put towards marginalized people. Marginalized/frontline communities need to be consulted at every stage of the process and their voices uplifted. We desperately need to invest in public transportation and make it a better option than personal vehicles.

I am glad to learn that this is a bipartisan effort, and I look forward to following up with the progress of this plan. The Climate Crisis, and the crisis of income inequalities are emergencies, and we need to do something about it now.