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1/20/2020 |
DeeDee |
Tostanoski |
Citizen |
Alexandria |
Virginia |
As a lifelong resident of the Northeast Corridor (Maine-DC), I cannot state more strongly the need for improved public transportation options. Driving from Charlottesville (when I was in college... read more As a lifelong resident of the Northeast Corridor (Maine-DC), I cannot state more strongly the need for improved public transportation options. Driving from Charlottesville (when I was in college) to New York sometimes took up to 8 hours due to traffic. I now live in the DC area and would prefer to take the train home to visit family, but it is cost prohibitive in comparison to driving. It's ridiculous that the better environmental choice is more expensive monetarily. All of us in the Northeast Corridor (as well as the rest of the country) deserve better options. |
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2/18/2020 |
Michael |
Pan |
Year |
Alexandria |
Virginia |
No comments right now. No comments right now. |
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2/18/2020 |
Sarah |
S |
Voter |
Alexandria |
Virginia |
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. |
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2/21/2020 |
Laura |
Foy |
Ms |
Alexandria |
Virginia |
We need to reduce our carbon output ASAP because we experiencing the impact of climate change in Norfolk and other areas in Virginia. The time to act is NOW! We need to reduce our carbon output ASAP because we experiencing the impact of climate change in Norfolk and other areas in Virginia. The time to act is NOW! |
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2/24/2020 |
Mary |
van Son |
retired |
Alexandria |
Virginia |
I have better things to do with my life than sit in traffic and breathe fumes. Air pollution causes thousands and thousands of deaths in our country every year. Yet people want to continue to... read more I have better things to do with my life than sit in traffic and breathe fumes. Air pollution causes thousands and thousands of deaths in our country every year. Yet people want to continue to drive their fossil fuel vehicles and pollute the air our children breathe? Look outside the boundaries of America and see what other countries are doing about the traffic crisis. America is WAY behind the rest of the developed world when it comes to public transportation. We have ridden high speed rail in the UK. and Germany. Get on a train in the U.S. and you feel like you are back in the 1800's. It is embarrassing and frustrating. Making America great again means making it less dependent on fossil fuels and having a healthier environment for our citizens. |
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2/28/2020 |
Samantha |
Ahdoot |
Virginia Clinicians for Climate Action |
Alexandria |
Virginia |
Yesterday I saw a two-year old boy with his third asthma attack in three months. After he failed to improve with treatment in my office I sent him to the Emergency Department, where he was... read more Yesterday I saw a two-year old boy with his third asthma attack in three months. After he failed to improve with treatment in my office I sent him to the Emergency Department, where he was started on his third course of oral steroids in twelve weeks. He was placed on strong preventative medication to continue indefinitely. In a single clinic day earlier this week I treated three children with Attention Deficit Disorder and one child with a learning disability.
We know from decades of research that air pollution from the combustion of oil and gas for transportation directly harms the health of our children. Air pollution from fossil fuel combustion harms children's lungs, causing asthma attacks and bronchitis, as well as potentially life-long reduced lung capacity. Air pollution also affects our brains, contributing to cognitive and behavioral disorders in children and Alzheimer's disease in adults. Reducing these pollutants is vital to protecting the health and future of our children and all members of our communities.
That is why I strongly support this policy to reduce air pollution from the transportation sector. This policy would have tremendous health benefits through reduced air pollution. By 2032, the public health benefits of the proposed program could reach as much as $10 billion, and reduce as many as 1,000 fewer premature deaths, and over 1,300 fewer asthma symptoms annually.
As a pediatrician, I strongly support the proposed policy. |
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2/28/2020 |
Steve |
Banashek |
Virginia Resident |
Alexandria |
Virginia |
The Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) is an opportunity for Virginia and the Washington, DC metro region to reduce fossil fuel emissions and invest in clean transportation options... read more The Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) is an opportunity for Virginia and the Washington, DC metro region to reduce fossil fuel emissions and invest in clean transportation options including electric cars and buses, electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, EV purchase tax credits, sidewalks/bike lanes, and regional rail. I strongly support and urge Virginia to move forward with and join the TCI as well as require that the revenue generated by the program be used to expand clean transportation. There are simply too many cars on the road contributing to our warming climate and adding to air pollution related health problems including asthma rates.
Transportation is responsible for nearly half (46 percent) of Virginia's greenhouse gas emissions. If Virginians want to do our part to slow climate change, we definitely need to tackle transportation emissions. In many ways, transportation presents one of the greatest obstacles to tackling climate change, as well as one of the biggest opportunities to address some of Virginia’s challenges.
TCI takes a regional approach. Virginia’s transportation systems are intimately connected to Washington, D.C., Maryland and the entire region, so a real solution to transportation challenges must be regional as well. Additionally, as a coastal state Virginia is already experiencing the impact of climate change more than most—and scientists have made it clear that we must dramatically scale up efforts to reduce GHG emissions if we are to mitigate the worst impacts of a warming world.
We must act now to implement thoughtful and collaborative solutions like TCI that will help address the climate challenge while also driving investments in a clean transportation future. Virginia’s state leaders need to join with our neighbors and build a clean and efficient transportation system that we can all benefit from. |
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10/14/2020 |
Donald |
Walsh |
citizen |
Alexandria |
Virginia |
A cap on carbon emissions of at least 50% by 2032
An increase in the minimum investment in overburdened and underserved communities (>50%)
Request that investments be... read more A cap on carbon emissions of at least 50% by 2032
An increase in the minimum investment in overburdened and underserved communities (>50%)
Request that investments be put towards active transportation like better sidewalks, bicycle infrastructure, and high quality public transit
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10/31/2019 |
Lynwood |
Toole |
Downeast |
Alexander |
Maine |
I work out on the road to the extent of 90,000mi per year! Why do I have to do this it isn't by choice! I live in the most depressed county in the United States! Where u cant make a decent... read more I work out on the road to the extent of 90,000mi per year! Why do I have to do this it isn't by choice! I live in the most depressed county in the United States! Where u cant make a decent living! We own a farm also! Difficult to relocate! No I can't write my fuel off! It's all out of pocket! Not to mention auto expense! This tax u are wanting to impose on we the people of Maine is wrong! I am retired and still have to work 60hours per week! |
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2/27/2020 |
Michael |
Lombardo |
Gas user |
Alexander |
Maine |
This is an absolute asinine proposal! The people in rural areas will be decimated by this tax increase due to the remoteness of their towns. This will impact every tax bracket of people and hurt... read more This is an absolute asinine proposal! The people in rural areas will be decimated by this tax increase due to the remoteness of their towns. This will impact every tax bracket of people and hurt the lowest earners the most. People can't afford to spend the money to buy electric vehicles and chargers(even though the electric is mostly sourced from fossil fuels and aren't better for the environment). |
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1/18/2020 |
Carolyn |
Barker |
Concerned citizen |
ALDIE |
Virginia |
I am concerned about our climate and we need to take immediate action to reduce pollution from transportation, which is our largest source of global warming emissions (regionally and nationally).... read more I am concerned about our climate and we need to take immediate action to reduce pollution from transportation, which is our largest source of global warming emissions (regionally and nationally). Virginia must formally join the Transportation and Climate Initiative to reduce emissions. The policy must have a strong component of equity by prioritizing clean investments in areas overburdened by pollution and/or for those who don't have access. Our transportation system is stuck in the dark ages. Traffic congestion from millions of cars and trucks are polluting our lungs and planet more than ever before. As we enter this new decade, we have an opportunity to modernize how we get from point A to point B. I appreciate that this plan was created in a bipartisan nature to move us forward while the federal government takes us backward. |
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2/21/2020 |
Carolyn |
Barker |
self |
ALDIE |
Virginia |
We must do everything we can to stop impacting our climate. Please do all you can to create and enact a strong Transportation and Climate Initiative to protect our planet for the future. All forms... read more We must do everything we can to stop impacting our climate. Please do all you can to create and enact a strong Transportation and Climate Initiative to protect our planet for the future. All forms of pollution must be curbed. |
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1/24/2020 |
Matthew |
LeFluer |
Person. With. A. Learning Disability. ( Autism,ADHD,) |
Alburgh |
Vermont |
The science of climate change is real. Scientists agree, and it's bad. After procrastinating for decades we have a short period of time to start turning off the greenhouse gas faucet. We can... read more The science of climate change is real. Scientists agree, and it's bad. After procrastinating for decades we have a short period of time to start turning off the greenhouse gas faucet. We can leverage market forces to start reducing transportation emissions through TCI.
I request that the Commonwealth of Vermont. take our common climate wealth seriously and formally join the TCI to reduce emissions. I further ask that the policy prioritizes clean investments in areas overburdened by pollution and is financially affordable for poor families and individuals as possible.
Thank you.
1/24/2020 |
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10/22/2020 |
Matthew |
LeFluer |
Person With Learning/Developmental Disability |
Alburgh |
Vermont |
Myself. A. Support Advocate. Wants. My State. To. Move. Forward. Towards The. Future. For. The. Family's. And. Children. That. Live Within. Our. Green Mountain State. We. Know. That. Doing... read more Myself. A. Support Advocate. Wants. My State. To. Move. Forward. Towards The. Future. For. The. Family's. And. Children. That. Live Within. Our. Green Mountain State. We. Know. That. Doing. Nothing. Will. Hurt. Our Beloved. Green Mountain. State. We. All. Should. Be. Thinking. On. Keeping. Our. States. Green,Clean, And. Strong. For. Generation's to come. To our families and children's. Let's. Make. A. Clean Energy. And Environmental standards Together with California. State Clean Energy Requirement Standards |
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1/17/2020 |
Laura Pitt |
Taylor |
fire and rescue |
Albuquerque |
New Mexico |
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2/25/2020 |
Lori |
Sveda |
AFSCME |
Albrightsville |
Pennsylvania |
“…design a regional low-carbon transportation policy proposal that would cap and reduce carbon emissions from the combustion of transportation fuels through a cap-and-invest program or other... read more “…design a regional low-carbon transportation policy proposal that would cap and reduce carbon emissions from the combustion of transportation fuels through a cap-and-invest program or other pricing mechanism… [and]… to complete the policy development process within one year, after which each jurisdiction will decide whether to adopt and implement the policy.” |
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11/5/2019 |
Lawrence |
D'Arco |
Private citizen |
Albany |
New York |
I would like to submit the following comments for the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI).
Studies have shown that employer paid subsidies, for employee transit costs,... read more I would like to submit the following comments for the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI).
Studies have shown that employer paid subsidies, for employee transit costs, increases employee transit ridership. When the DEC moved to downtown Albany an Upstate Transit (Saratoga County bus service) transit subsidy program was offered. About 20% of the people who lived in the Upstate Transit service area participated and took the bus to work.
The IRS rules for employer paid transit subsidies have changed. It appears that employer paid transit subsidies are exempt from employer payroll taxes and are not taxable as income for the employee. Consideration should be given to the following:
1) engaging employers to encourage employer paid transit subsidies,
2) a statewide regulation, like NY City, Washington, DC, and San Francisco, who all have requirements for employers of a certain size to provide transit subsidies to their employees,
3) providing state tax benefits to employers who provide transit benefits, telecommuting and carpool and bicycling incentives.
Create a credit system, which allows tradable credits, for companies or organizations that provide employee commuter benefits such as transit subsidies, telecommuting, vanpooling and also housing cost assistance to employees that live close to work. Location efficiency mortgages (LEMs) provide mortgage assistance to people who live near transit lines and have lower automobile costs, if any. LEMs and employer grants for living near work have been offered in the Capital District. When people live close to work and other amenities, vehicular pollution is reduced. Any company or organization could also get credits if they contribute to a transit fund that would help pay for transit passes for low income individuals. There are models for calculating emissions reductions for transportation demand management strategies.
Engage with California and all California emissions standards states for the following proposals:
1) All new vehicles should have idle-stop technology,
2) credits should be allowed for conventional hybrids. Many people do not have the ability to have home-charging for plug-in EVs, so they can only own conventional hybrids which are less polluting then gasoline or diesel vehicles.
3) Increase credits for plug-in hybrids. Most people will not buy a battery electric vehicle due to the limited battery range. Americans drive less than 40 miles per day on average. Plug-in hybrids, with a 50 mile electric range, will therefore be almost completely electric for the majority of trips each day.
Explore the possibility of biofuel from industrial hemp which is not a food crop and is now legal to grow in the US. The irrigation, pesticide, herbicide and fertilizer needs of industrial hemp are minimal. Such a biofuel comes close to carbon neutrality.
Institute a small tax on parking and direct that money toward subsidizing transit passes and improving transit systems. The tax could be added to private parking facilities and would work like hotel occupancy taxes or utility taxes for energy conservation purposes. Companies that offer free parking to their employees could be taxed on the value of their parking spaces. This would encourage employers to charge for parking which would encourage transit usage and carpooling.
There has been a significant increase in truck delivery traffic due to increased internet purchases. Institute a tax on internet purchase deliveries and direct that money to the same transit fund that is funded by parking taxes.
Transit bus systems need to have more express services, both intraurban and suburbs to city service. The ridership on the express buses on Central Ave in the Capital District has proven the need for more express service. Non-express bus lines in the Capital District have too many stops, which slows down service. In NY City, bus stops are spaced to at least two blocks distance. There also needs to be increased service between the suburbs and downtown businesses in upstate cities. In the Capital District, the highest volume of daily commuters is from Saratoga County to downtown Albany.
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11/5/2019 |
Anne |
Reynolds |
Alliance for Clean Energy New York |
Albany |
New York |
On behalf of the Advanced Energy Economy Institute and its affiliate in New York State, the Alliance for Clean Energy New York, we are writing to express our general support for the Framework for... read more On behalf of the Advanced Energy Economy Institute and its affiliate in New York State, the Alliance for Clean Energy New York, we are writing to express our general support for the Framework for a Draft Regional Policy Proposal that was released on October 1.
Before commenting on individual components of the framework, we would like to underscore the importance, timeliness, and wisdom of a multi-state initiative to tackle greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector. In New York, the recent passage of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Action demonstrates that New Yorkers are ready for action on climate change, including measures addressing transportation. In contrast to the electricity sector, emissions from transportation are on the rise and are making up a larger and larger percentage of state and regional greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, it is imperative that states take quick action to cap and gradually reduce these emissions.
Further, just like our states are connected by numerous roads and railways, our policies should be coordinated among states whenever possible, to maximize the beneficial impact and minimize unintended consequences. For this reason, we fully support the initiative for multiple states to work together to align policies.
Some further points:
-- We agree that equity is an important consideration of the Framework for a Draft Regional Policy Proposal. Including this perspective from the outset will lead to a stronger and more sustainable program.
-- At the present time, we believe it is correct to have the program apply to wholesale motor vehicle fuels that are delivered for use into a TCI jurisdiction or removed from storage in a TCI jurisdiction. This scope tackles an important emissions sector in a way that is efficient, targeted, and defined. It is appropriate to tackle the transportation sector independently. The electricity sector is already covered by RGGI and a suite of complementary policies, and the building heating sector, which does need to be addressed more affirmatively, will need a different set of complementary policies than the transportation sector. Further, the alternatives for the transportation sector are commercially available and ready to be phased in over time.
-- The emissions reporting, monitoring, and verification components of the framework also make sense; it is important to include these design elements early in the process.
-- Inclusion of a gradually declining cap is critical to the success of the program. It sends a clear market signal that can stimulate private investment in research, development, and deployment, which will lead to lower costs.
-- Finally, the reinvestment of proceeds is an absolutely critical component of this framework. Proceeds should be reinvested by states into transit and vehicle electrification. The importance of a long-term and enduring dedicated funding source for these initiatives cannot be overstated. It has been crucial to the success and progress on the electricity side in New York and elsewhere, and it needs to be created and maintained for the transportation sector as well.
Thank you for the opportunity to submit these comments in support of the Transportation Climate Initiative Framework for a Draft Regional Policy Proposal. We look forward to TCI continuing to request and reflect public comments as this regional policy evolves.
Respectfully submitted,
Anne Reynolds, Alliance for Clean Energy New York
Matt Stanberry, Advanced Energy Economy Institute
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11/6/2019 |
Anne |
Reynolds |
Alliance for Clean Energy New York |
Albany |
New York |
I am re-sending the comments we submitted on November 5th as an attached file. I am re-sending the comments we submitted on November 5th as an attached file. |
TransportationClimateInitative 11 06 19.docx |
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12/11/2019 |
Michael |
Franchini |
CAPITAL DISTRICT TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE |
ALBANY |
New York |
The New York State Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations (NYSAMPO) is a consortium of the Executive Directors of fourteen Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) in New York State... read more The New York State Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations (NYSAMPO) is a consortium of the Executive Directors of fourteen Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) in New York State who work together toward best practices and common goals. The Directors lead a diverse group of organizations that represent very large, urban regions like the New York City metropolitan area as well as small metropolitan regions such as Ithaca and Elmira. Regardless of size and complexity, the Directors understand the value of working together to help their organizations provide high quality transportation planning support to their member agencies and to the public throughout the State.
The NYSAMPO Directors have determined that the overall goals of the Transportation & Climate Initiative’s (TCI) low carbon transportation policy proposal are consistent with the strategic goals and planning programs of the NYSAMPO MPOs, as represented in their long-range regional transportation plans and the projects, programs and studies that are funded through their planning processes. The NYSAMPO Directors applaud New York State for its leadership in the effort to establish the TCI. NYSAMPO MPO staff has attended and participated in listening sessions throughout New York State and the Directors appreciate the opportunity to offer the following comment on the design of the proposed program.
Equity
As organizations which plan for the use of transportation funding authorized by Congress, MPOs must comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which prohibits discrimination based upon race, color, and national origin. The NYSAMPO MPOs are committed to ensuring traditionally underserved and underrepresented communities receive a fair share of the regional transportation system’s benefits and are not subject to undue burdens. MPOs maintain information and data related to the locations of protected populations within each metropolitan area in order to comply with Title VI and the Executive Order on Environmental Justice. MPOs consider transportation barriers and needs within these communities. The TCI’s community outreach and project planning related to the investment of cap-and-invest proceeds should be coordinated with the NYSAMPO MPOs to ensure consistency with their equity efforts related to Title VI.
Mobile Source Emissions
Reducing emissions from transportation is a common strategic theme in the NYSAMPO MPOs’ regional transportation plans. Additionally, several of the NYSAMPO MPOs must comply with requirements under the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 as they develop their plans and programs. More recently, federal transportation legislation establishes performance measures for on-road mobile source emissions, which require that emission reduction targets be established for the ozone precursors nitrogen oxides (NOX) and volatile organic compounds (VOC). Targets are also required for carbon monoxide (CO) and particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5).
Table 1. NYS On-Road Mobile Source Emissions Targets
Target Year VOC (KG) CO (KG) NOX (KG) PM10 (KG) PM10 (KG)
2020 22,979 437,781 58,591 9,312 3,920
2022 42,765 839,633 107,713 18,132 7,482
Proposed caps to emissions from gasoline, on-road diesel fuel, and potential biofuels, should meet or exceed these agreed upon targets to help states New York State meet its goals.
Investment of Proceeds
Transportation improvements proposed through the TCI should be coordinated with the NYSAMPO MPOs to achieve emission reductions and other policy goals within the long-range regional transportation plans. This coordination will maximize the efficiency and leverage investment in the transportation system which will ensure greater benefits to users. It is important that revenues generated by the initiative be used to advance active transportation, public transit, cleaner vehicles, and other activities that have large-scale positive impacts on environmental quality and public health through the reduction of GHG emissions. The NYSAMPO MPOs regularly use analytical and policy tools that assist in the prioritization of transportation projects for federal funding which could be modeled for determining how cap-and-invest proceeds are invested.
Complementary Policies
Coordination with the NYSAMPO MPOs will support the goals of the low carbon transportation system framework as each organization works within metropolitan areas of New York State to develop and implement complementary policies in long-range regional transportation plans. MPOs can supplement the work of TCI by assisting municipalities within the metropolitan areas with coordinating infrastructure planning and land use planning that supports reducing emissions. For more information on NYSAMPO please visit our website at https://www.nysmpos.org/ or contact Michael Franchini at (518)458-2161 with any questions. We look forward to working with TCI and NYS in planning for a low carbon future.
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CDTC_TCI_comments.pdf |
