2/21/2020 |
Joseph |
Weingartner |
voter |
Fairfax |
Virginia |
I strongly support a bold TCI that requires transportation-sector polluters
to pay for the pollution, funding investments that reduce carbon emissions on
a sufficient scale to truly... read more I strongly support a bold TCI that requires transportation-sector polluters
to pay for the pollution, funding investments that reduce carbon emissions on
a sufficient scale to truly address the climate crisis. |
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2/22/2020 |
Crystal |
Hart |
Miss |
Leesburg |
Virginia |
Please consider allowing this design for low emissions cars. Combating climate change will save our planet and this is one step in the right direction. Please consider allowing this design for low emissions cars. Combating climate change will save our planet and this is one step in the right direction. |
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2/22/2020 |
Dorothy |
Michalek |
Ms. |
COLONIAL HEIGHTS |
Virginia |
Common sense dictates more public transit, expansion of commuter rail, particularly along the Boston to Norfolk corridor, and electric vehicle infrastructure in rural areas. We need streets and... read more Common sense dictates more public transit, expansion of commuter rail, particularly along the Boston to Norfolk corridor, and electric vehicle infrastructure in rural areas. We need streets and sidewalks in the suburbs that are safe, walkable, and bikeable. And lastly, sustainable and equitable housing near transit and electric bus fleets in urban communities but more importantly, urban planning that allows one to live within five to ten miles of their employment which will reduce the need for long commutes and make public transportation more sensible. We need to stop building more HOV highway lanes but build rail and commuter and high speed trains. |
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2/22/2020 |
Bob |
O |
None |
Annandale |
Virginia |
I support the idea of the TCI, but am deeply concerned that it is not nearly ambitious enough. The IPCC tells us we need to cut emissions much more drastically than the most aggressive scenario... read more I support the idea of the TCI, but am deeply concerned that it is not nearly ambitious enough. The IPCC tells us we need to cut emissions much more drastically than the most aggressive scenario under the TCI. So while the TCI is a good start, governors need to face the political consequences and voter backlash if the do not do enough to protect the lives and livelihoods of their constituents by failing to adequately address climate change.
I already have an electric car and love it, and plan on putting solar panels on our house when we can afford it, but it is vital to decarbonize our transport network and economy.
The TCI is a step in the right direction, but please step it up and be bolder! |
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2/22/2020 |
Roger |
Schickedantz |
Mr. |
Charlottesville |
Virginia |
I support public transit options that promote an electrified economy, moving away from fossil fuels and the resulting pollution and climate impact. In particular I urge support of solar and wind... read more I support public transit options that promote an electrified economy, moving away from fossil fuels and the resulting pollution and climate impact. In particular I urge support of solar and wind renewables and hydrogen. |
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2/22/2020 |
Russ |
Hopler |
Citizen |
Fairfax |
Virginia |
I own a hybrid electric car and plan to also have an electric car in the near future. I am very eager to see more charging stations appear in all parts of VA for my to travel on family trips.... read more I own a hybrid electric car and plan to also have an electric car in the near future. I am very eager to see more charging stations appear in all parts of VA for my to travel on family trips. Combining charging stations with ski resorts, parks, or at restaurants would ease our ability to get around while giving these organizations additional income sources. We need to build out the electric grid to allow small businesses to generate power from renewable sources like solar and offer charging stations for more customers with electric cars. This will help us all to reduce our carbon output with innovative transport options and increase small business growth. |
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2/22/2020 |
Meredith |
Haines |
None. citizen urging action on climate |
Vienna |
Virginia |
Virginia should join TCI to fund better transportation infrastructure and reduce traffic. Our communities should all enjoy the benefits of cleaner air from reduced reliance on fossil fuels.... read more Virginia should join TCI to fund better transportation infrastructure and reduce traffic. Our communities should all enjoy the benefits of cleaner air from reduced reliance on fossil fuels. Urgency in this transition will help educate the public on the climate crisis. |
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2/22/2020 |
Lawrence |
Connell |
Bank Information Center |
Arlington |
Virginia |
The growing evidence of the dangerous impacts of climate change in the United States and across the globe means that is in our own self-interest to follow through on the commitment now to... read more The growing evidence of the dangerous impacts of climate change in the United States and across the globe means that is in our own self-interest to follow through on the commitment now to implement a regional low-carbon transportation policy proposal that will cap and reduce carbon emissions from the combustion of transportation fuels through a cap-and-invest program or other pricing mechanism. This should work in tandem with Virginia's participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. |
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2/22/2020 |
Milan |
Mehta |
Mr. |
Midlothian |
Virginia |
Please, Do the Right Thing for Ours and Our Children's Future. What would They be Proud Of? read more Please, Do the Right Thing for Ours and Our Children's Future. What would They be Proud Of? |
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2/22/2020 |
Susan |
Bramley |
Private citizen |
Hood |
Virginia |
TheTransportation and Climate Initiative is exactly what we need NOW! Our very future is hanging in the balance with transportation being the largest contributor to global climate change. We... read more TheTransportation and Climate Initiative is exactly what we need NOW! Our very future is hanging in the balance with transportation being the largest contributor to global climate change. We need immediate actions to save our planet and I am excited to see this initiative. PLEASE move forward with this. |
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2/22/2020 |
Barbara |
Schelstrate |
Virginia citizen |
Arlington |
Virginia |
I am thrilled that my state is one of those supporting the Transportation and Climate Initiative. Let's ensure that Virginia is at the forefront of efforts to combat the worst effects of... read more I am thrilled that my state is one of those supporting the Transportation and Climate Initiative. Let's ensure that Virginia is at the forefront of efforts to combat the worst effects of climate change, and perhaps even to turn climate change around. |
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2/22/2020 |
Ellen |
Atkinson |
Ms |
Charlotte Court House |
Virginia |
Please ensure that this transportation plan is bold enough to cut harmful transportation pollution at the scale needed to avert the climate crisis. A plan is needed that holds large transportation... read more Please ensure that this transportation plan is bold enough to cut harmful transportation pollution at the scale needed to avert the climate crisis. A plan is needed that holds large transportation polluters accountable for the pollution they create and invests in clean transportation solutions including:
More public transit and electric vehicle infrastructure in rural areas
Expansion of commuter rail, electric vehicles, and streets in the suburbs that are safe, walkable, and bikeable
Sustainable and equitable housing near transit and electric bus fleets in urban communities |
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2/23/2020 |
Eve |
Schwartz |
Virginia resident |
Keswick |
Virginia |
I applaud your work to reduce carbon-emissions by working cooperatively. Carbon emissions do not stop at the border of any particular state, so it is imperative for the states (and DC) to work... read more I applaud your work to reduce carbon-emissions by working cooperatively. Carbon emissions do not stop at the border of any particular state, so it is imperative for the states (and DC) to work together, supporting each other's needs, which my vary somewhat. It is time to: 1) encourage people to use public transit by making it affordable, convenient, and pleasant to use. This is a worthwhile financial investment. 2) tax sources of carbon emissions--cars, trucks, gasoline, and major industrial supplies of the products. 3) Invest heavily in alternative forms of energy, especially wind and solar. Fossil fuels are no longer a good investment. Solar and wind are the energy solutions of the future--that's when the smart money should go.
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2/23/2020 |
Mary Buford |
Hitz |
self |
Charlottesville |
Virginia |
Please fund and support the regional Transportation and Climate Initiative. It is long overdue, and so important in showing the seriousness of our most challenging problem - how to reduce the... read more Please fund and support the regional Transportation and Climate Initiative. It is long overdue, and so important in showing the seriousness of our most challenging problem - how to reduce the gases that cause climate change. |
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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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2/24/2020 |
Jordan |
Deafenbaugh |
None |
Virginia Beach |
Virginia |
I strongly support the Transportation and Climate Initiative policy. I’m proud to live in a state that is taking appropriate steps to tackle the climate crisis, and I think that initiatives such... read more I strongly support the Transportation and Climate Initiative policy. I’m proud to live in a state that is taking appropriate steps to tackle the climate crisis, and I think that initiatives such as this one will provide for a healthy and prosperous future for those living in the targeted areas. I live in an area that is growing exponentially, and this growth has had, and will continue to have, its costs. My children’s school is less than a mile from home but we have to drive, instead of walk or cycle, because there are no adequate sidewalks or bike lanes. With increasing traffic in the area my family would love to be part of the solution and be one less vehicle on the road. The environmental benefits to this policy I think are obvious but the health benefits maybe not so much unless you or someone you know suffers from breathing problems. I have asthma and there is no doubt that my asthma attacks are increasing in frequency and severity. Knowing that there could be multiple causes for this increase that fact is air pollution has been shown to be one of those causes, and air pollution is something that we can control via policies such as the TCI policy. I want my children to have the same opportunities that I had growing up, but I fear climate change is going to make that very unlikely. For our children and their children and so on, let’s do what we can to ensure they can get to school, work, etc. safely and with as little impact on their one and only home as possible. |
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2/24/2020 |
Mary-Helen |
Sullivan |
none |
Richmond |
Virginia |
We must view transportation within the context of climate change and land use. Richmond has taken one good step forward by developing the Pulse (BRT) system and reconfiguring other bus routes, but... read more We must view transportation within the context of climate change and land use. Richmond has taken one good step forward by developing the Pulse (BRT) system and reconfiguring other bus routes, but we need a regional approach to expand mass transit options and to make biking and walking safer and more pleasant. A denser urban environment that provides commercial options closer to residential areas also reduces travel times and greenhouse gas emissions. |
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2/24/2020 |
Karen |
Koenig |
Voter |
Fairfax |
Virginia |
We can cut poverty and pollution at the same time. I 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. I 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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2/24/2020 |
Terrie |
West |
Retired |
North Chesterfield |
Virginia |
Having lived in the British Isles on two occasions and visited numerous European countries, I have been able to observe and use public transport in most of those locations. I found public... read more Having lived in the British Isles on two occasions and visited numerous European countries, I have been able to observe and use public transport in most of those locations. I found public transport there easy to use and efficient, especially in Amsterdam. Bon Air, the community I live in, had passenger train service to and from Downtown Richmond in the past and could so once again. In fact, much commuter automobile traffic could be converted to mass transit using bus and rail service. Also, there are numerous towns and cities throughout our Commonwealth that could serve as regional transport hubs. Why is this relevant? What could we gain by expanding public transport? Cleaner lungs. Reduced carbon emissions, less reliance on fossil fuels which are wreaking havoc with our climate, resulting in global warming. Fewer highway fatalities, less traffic congestion, less time spent in traffic. Our children’s futures depend on us making good choices, choices to protect their health, the entire ecosystem, our climate. |
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2/25/2020 |
Matthew |
Drabik |
Citizen |
Dale City |
Virginia |
I fully endorse the comments previously submitted by Roger Caiazza, which can be found at https://pragmaticenvironmentalistofnewyork.files.wordpress.com/2020/02/caiazza-tci-comments-february-2020.... read more I fully endorse the comments previously submitted by Roger Caiazza, which can be found at https://pragmaticenvironmentalistofnewyork.files.wordpress.com/2020/02/caiazza-tci-comments-february-2020.pdf
He concludes his comments with the following:
Due to the lack of sufficient detail on the TCI modeling results I was unable to provide substantive comments based on that information. My comments and recommendations are instead based on my experience and evaluation of carbon pricing programs in general and RGGI in particular. Any carbon pricing program limited to certain jurisdictions and sectors will have unavoidable leakage problems. The investment dollars per ton of CO2 reduced for New York programs in RGGI have not been able to meet the SCC cost effectiveness threshold of $50/ton.
The fact that the EPA emission numbers for an average gasoline vehicle indicate that any rebate over $259.98 exceeds the $50 SCC cost effectiveness threshold suggests that TCI investments will be even less effective. Another problem with any carbon pricing scheme is that revenues over time go down at the same time the reduction implementation costs go up. There is a fundamental problem with carbon pricing schemes because there are not many control options available for existing sources. I believe this will be even more of a problem for the TCI affected sources. There should be concerns that the TCI carbon pricing theory will not match reality especially because the affected sources have no prior experience with this pollution control approach. As a result of those concerns, I recommend a cautious, measured approach for the cap, trajectory and stability mechanisms. |
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