TCI Regional Policy Design Stakeholder Submissions

I'm writing in support of the TCI regional policy initiative. Any effort at all to reduce carbon emissions through the combustion of transportation fuels is vital - considering the utter catastrophe of the current state of the planet and its atmosphere. I'm grateful to the people in the organizations working hard on this initiative.

While I agree that we should start taking care of our planet, I can only see this policy hurting Maine people. I wouldn't mind working towards better policies but taxing the most used form of fuel amongst the working class people, does nothing but hinders their economic stance in Maine's economy, I would love to to see more progress made on going green but as a libertarian I don't see increasing taxes as being the answer, making these clean energy cars tax exemptions like solar panels would be a more effective way to win people over.

We need to make Maine bicycle friendly. There are some of us who prefer biking, but in many places it is dangerous because the roads are designed with cars in mind, not bikes or pedestrians. We also need some sort of public transportation for long distances and for people who don't drive.

My company, H.N. Funkhouser & Co. is strongly opposed to the "framework for a draft regional policy proposal" which seeks to expropriate the petroleum marketing industry. Over time this plan proposes to move Virginia from simple rationing and new taxes to the ultimate prohibition of fossil fuels.

We also find the push for electric vehicles a joke, because were do people think electricity comes from? It is another step to process and create electricity. Fossil Fuels is a nature substance found in the ground.

Please know we are a 87 year old business in the Shenandoah Valley that provide jobs to over 400 team members.

I am very concerned about any new costs related to driving. I drive daily in my employment and any new costs would be quite burdensome.

My other concern is the burden on the poor. Many already can not afford to drive in this state. The poor, disabled and elderly would have more reason why they can not afford to drive which impedes independence as well as raise the costs of services for this population.

Another question I have is why is there not enough money to pay for this? When I make a budget I include costs that have not happened yet but know will. Why is there no money? We pay gas tax, sales tax, registration and excise tax, tolls, property tax, income.tax, inspection fees, and fed taxes, yet, there is no money for this. I question the competency of all who are wasting the money that we are told is for the same thing.

Last, Maine is carbon neutral and according g to some studies, negative due to the reduction of industries who were major polluters and our large heavily forested areas. Any kind of carbon scheme should be out of the question. Most pollution present in Maine is from other states courtesy of trade winds. So why punish Mainers for what Maine is not doing?

The best solution here is to be fiscally responsible and use money already present more wisely. Live within the means of the already established budget. Stop utilizing when it comes to requests for proposals. Instead, farm it out to those giving best bang for the buck just like us "Trolls" have to do every day.

As long as there is no other option, Mainers will just keep driving their cars, often in single occupancy vehicles. We need safe routes for Mainers to bike and walk for shorter trips and many more options w/transit. We also need to subsidize active transportation and stop subsidizing fossil fuel dependent cars, especially when there is only 1 or 2 people in them.

Maine needs more public transportation to connect small towns to airports and urban areas. It is impossible to get to the airport from Bridgton or Sweden by public transportation.
In addition the roads near where I live are not safe for biking. I would do a lot more biking if there were safer roads. In addition there need to be more electric charge stations in our area. There is one in Bridgton, but it is not convenient to the grocery stores. I have an electric vehicle with limited range. I cannot use it to get to the airport nor grocery stores.