TCI Regional Policy Design Stakeholder Submissions

I'm writing to urge the Governor to join TCI. Whether or not Vermont joins TCI, Vermonters are going to pay at least some of its costs. If Vermont joins TCI, the State will receive more revenue for investments than Vermonters contribute to the program.

The program is also a great opportunity to address economic inequality for Vermont families. A significant portion of TCI proceeds should be directed to reducing the energy burdens of Vermonters with low incomes. This will help Vermont to become more affordable for Vermonters who do not have high incomes.

All the best,
Tom Clynes

Please support the Transportation and Climate Initiative. We need to reduce our carbon footprint. Air pollution is harmful, especially to the young. Let's work together to solve this problem.

From my understanding, this will give us an opportunity to have additional funds to invest in forward thinking energy which we desperately need to do. In addition, not joining will be like leaving money on the table! Please make sure VT joins the TCI!!!

The stated goals of the TCI are most laudable, however the stratagem to initiate it in Massachusetts is unacceptable. Regardless of how it is primped, preened or presented the TCI is in reality a T-A-X. Yes I know, Governor Baker has dipped deep into his store of weasel words to proclaim otherwise but that does not change the reality. If the TCI Tax were approved by the voters or their elected representatives then so be it. But this devious scheme to force by decree the TCI Carbon Tax upon the citizenry of Massachusetts is revolting (and I use that word advisedly). I am informing all my friends and relatives of Governor Baker's disgraceful attempt to emulate King George III of England. The principle of "No Taxation Without Representation" is just as valid today as it was in 1776.

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.

New York and other eastern states must cut the pollution coming from current transportation systems, to help cut global warming and all the negative effects it is having on climate change. All feasible alternative energy sources must be considered and we need to encourage our colleges and universities to work on new innovations to reduce power usage, reduce pollution and increase use of efficient mass transportation.

I support TCI because I am a bike commuter that needs improved public transit options to expand my transportation options. I especially would benefit from commuter rail weekend service from Wickford Junction.

I support a regional approach to address carbon emissions. I hope the use of private jets, planes and helicopters have been factored into the initiative. Over the past several years there has been a noticeable and considerable uptick in private air traffic over my home and neighborhood none of which originated from the town I live. Not only are these vehicles of transport contributing to carbon in our atmosphere they are creating considerable noise pollution.