11/3/2019 |
Cary |
Claytor |
H.N. Funkhouser & Co. |
Winchester |
Virginia |
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... read more 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. |
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11/3/2019 |
Susan |
Gatti |
350maine.org |
Portland |
Maine |
I support this initiative 100%. The major avenue to reducing our carbon foot print is to have more transportation options beside a fossil fuel private vehicle. As a professional vocational... read more I support this initiative 100%. The major avenue to reducing our carbon foot print is to have more transportation options beside a fossil fuel private vehicle. As a professional vocational rehabilitation counselor I also recognize the importance of bringing transportation options to people with disabilities and people living in rural areas that need reliable transportation to employment locations. Additionally, many youth are ready to live without cars but the public transportation system in our small cities and towns are not feasible options to get them to work and life events, grocery stores etc. |
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11/3/2019 |
Ellen |
Hammon |
Maine Citizen |
Litchfield |
Maine |
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... read more 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. |
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11/3/2019 |
Lenora |
Robey |
? |
Buxton |
Maine |
In this rural state we can’t afford any additional gas taxes. In this rural state we can’t afford any additional gas taxes. |
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11/3/2019 |
Nancy |
Grant |
Portland Trails |
Portland |
Maine |
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... read more 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. |
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11/3/2019 |
Anthony |
Gowell |
Independent |
Lewiston |
Maine |
It's adding tax on me a guy who owns a small business which uses a vehicle to get around this isn't helping anyone except janet Mills feel warm and fuzzy follow the money she is lining... read more It's adding tax on me a guy who owns a small business which uses a vehicle to get around this isn't helping anyone except janet Mills feel warm and fuzzy follow the money she is lining her pockets enough is enough we are already in the worst business climate !! |
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11/3/2019 |
Jane |
Gibbons |
Maine resident |
Sweden |
Maine |
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... read more 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. |
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11/3/2019 |
John |
Knight |
Southern Maine Community College |
Portland |
Maine |
It's exciting that Maine and other states are passing legislation to address pollution and climate change since there are stalls and roadblocks currently at the federal level. I am... read more It's exciting that Maine and other states are passing legislation to address pollution and climate change since there are stalls and roadblocks currently at the federal level. I am particularly interested in moving towards use of more electric cars and buses that could be powered by renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power. I'm happy that TCI is focusing on both reducing greenhouse gas emissions and helping with access to (public) transportation for underserved communities. |
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11/3/2019 |
Mai Huong |
Nguyen |
None |
Bangor |
Maine |
I absolutely support clean transportation for Maine! I absolutely support clean transportation for Maine! |
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11/4/2019 |
Charles |
Cormier |
None |
Ft Fairfield |
Maine |
An increase in gas taxes will in turn increase the cost of transportation and goods to the consumer. This will hurt those of us on a fixed or minimal income. An increase in gas taxes will in turn increase the cost of transportation and goods to the consumer. This will hurt those of us on a fixed or minimal income. |
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11/4/2019 |
Sarah |
Brown |
Mrs. |
Kittery |
Maine |
Maine people deserve safe, clean, modern transportation solutions that are affordable, reliable, and reduce air pollution.
We need transportation solutions that deliver real economic,... read more Maine people deserve safe, clean, modern transportation solutions that are affordable, reliable, and reduce air pollution.
We need transportation solutions that deliver real economic, environmental, and community benefits. The Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI), has gained widespread momentum over the past few months and our family supports this important, and potentially historic climate policy. With the climate crisis fully underway we must support clean transportation solutions!
Our outdated transportation system is Maine’s largest source of climate pollution—and it doesn’t even meet the needs of Maine people. Maine people deserve clean, modern, affordable transportation options that deliver economic, health, and climate benefits to local communities. Finally, tt makes perfect sense for Maine to work with neighboring states through TCI’s bipartisan, proven policy model.
TCI will be in development for many months, but the core idea is based on the tremendously successful Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). Through RGGI, Northeastern states dramatically reduced power plant pollution and generated revenue Maine has used to support energy efficiency and weatherization investments through Efficiency Maine. Applying the same “cap and invest” approach to transportation would help Maine redirect some of the $5 billion a year we send out of state to fossil fuel companies into our local communities and sustainable transportation solutions.
Mainers overwhelmingly support bipartisan, science-based, regional solutions to our big transportation and climate challenges and we hope that you will too!
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11/4/2019 |
Cynthia |
Dechenes |
MaineHealth |
Brunswick |
Maine |
I support climate and transports initiatives! I support climate and transports initiatives! |
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11/4/2019 |
Jeramie |
thomas |
1987 |
GLENBURN |
Maine |
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11/4/2019 |
Patrick |
Kelliher |
Propane Gas Industry |
Gordonsville |
Virginia |
Oppose Initiative to Ration and Eventually Ban Fossil Fuels in Virginia
Blossman Gas Inc of Gordonsville VA which employs 14 people is strongly opposed to the "framework for a draft... read more Oppose Initiative to Ration and Eventually Ban Fossil Fuels in Virginia
Blossman Gas Inc of Gordonsville VA which employs 14 people is strongly opposed to the "framework for a draft regional policy proposal" which seeks to expropriate the fossil fuel industry. Over time this plan proposes to move Virginia from simple rationing and new taxes to the ultimate prohibition of fossil fuels.
• This plan does not assess the collateral damage it will inflict on state revenue, local tax collections, Virginia's Transportation Trust fund, and consumers.
• Many of the advocates of these policies support regulation to electrify transportation. Those advocates somehow forget to mention that a major component of batteries powering these vehicles is cobalt, 90 percent of which is mined in third world countries under unfavorable working conditions.
• As the number of electric vehicles grows, petroleum marketers will likely have to battle for a share of the electric vehicle charging market with utility companies that see EV charging as a new business opportunity without cost. When utility companies install charging stations, they may seek the ability to include that cost as part of their capital investment. When these costs are approved by governmental regulatory agencies, they can then be passed on to all ratepayers as part of their monthly electric bills.
• Another likely competitor under this scheme is the state government itself. This is not a concept, as just this past session the General Assembly passed legislation to allow the Departments of Conservation and Recreation, General Services, and Transportation to install electric chargers. Fortunately our association was able to narrow this initiative considerably by limiting the number of state agencies involved and mitigating the threat of unfair competition by requiring the state to sell the power at prevailing market rates including taxes.
• As a propane marketer I support a clean environment. There are many ways to achieve this without rationing. Incentivizing the sale of electric vehicles does nothing to meet your stated goals of "equity, environmental justice, and non-discrimination." As one example, the stated goals could be achieved far faster and cheaper via efforts to assist low-income Virginians to purchase more fuel efficient vehicles that meet current and future CAFÉ standards.
• History has proven that rationing followed by prohibition - the ultimate goal of TCI - has led to black markets, unregulated and untaxed sales, and undue burdens on law enforcement.
• The impact of these proposals will not be solely on propane businesses such as mine - what about the auto repair industry, muffler shops, service facilities at new car dealers, quick lubes etc.? What about agriculture, construction and watermen who will be forced to scrap present equipment or pay artificially high prices due to rationing? What about the consumer who will experience not only higher prices to operate their personal vehicles, but higher prices for consumer goods and services?
• Again, we oppose the TCI plan to ration, tax and ultimately eliminate fossil fuels.
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11/4/2019 |
Rob |
Hoffman |
Resident |
Edgecomb |
Maine |
I’m asking you to work for bold changes to the outdated infrastructure in New England. Utilizing existing rail infrastructure and supplementing it with public owned light rail and electric busses... read more I’m asking you to work for bold changes to the outdated infrastructure in New England. Utilizing existing rail infrastructure and supplementing it with public owned light rail and electric busses will go a long way to give more people access to travel, reduce greenhouse gases, and enhance the tourist economy. Imagine high speed rail from Boston to Moosehead or Boston to Bar Harbor. |
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11/4/2019 |
Gerhild |
Paris |
Citizen |
Falmouth |
Maine |
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11/4/2019 |
Jack |
Widness |
none |
Wilmington |
Vermont |
I am strongly supportive of what the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) states are developing as a regional policy for low-carbon transportation. With accelerating climate change/warming... read more I am strongly supportive of what the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) states are developing as a regional policy for low-carbon transportation. With accelerating climate change/warming of the earth, we urgently need to cap and reduce carbon emissions from the combustion of transportation fuels. This might be done through a cap-and-invest program as the TCI has suggest, or through other pricing mechanism. This needs to be be done in the context of an aggressive, health and conservation focused policy approach that is developed, adopted and implemented as soon as can be managed. Our future depends on this. This should be a top priority of our local, state and federal government. |
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11/4/2019 |
Kathleen |
Small |
Blossman Gas |
Gordonsville |
Virginia |
• As the number of electric vehicles grows, petroleum marketers will likely have to battle for a share of the electric vehicle charging market with utility companies that see EV charging as a new... read more • As the number of electric vehicles grows, petroleum marketers will likely have to battle for a share of the electric vehicle charging market with utility companies that see EV charging as a new business opportunity without cost. When utility companies install charging stations, they may seek the ability to include that cost as part of their capital investment. When these costs are approved by governmental regulatory agencies, they can then be passed on to all ratepayers as part of their monthly electric bills. I am against this Bill.
Kathy Small
540.832.0090 |
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11/4/2019 |
Richard |
Phelps |
Carroll Fuel and High's Stores |
Towson |
Maryland |
My company operates in Maryland as well as parts of Delaware, Virginia and Pennsylvania. I am Not in favor of the Transportation Climate Initiative as it sets out a framework that imposes an... read more My company operates in Maryland as well as parts of Delaware, Virginia and Pennsylvania. I am Not in favor of the Transportation Climate Initiative as it sets out a framework that imposes an unfair burden on all vehicle owners and thousands of businesses including my own.There have only been a handful of solicitations for feedback. No one knows the full detail of this proposal. The claims for a positive environmental impact have not been proven. This proposal places the burden of new taxes in a disproportionate way onto the poor and rural communities. |
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11/4/2019 |
James |
Burde |
Teiki Design Studio |
Jericho |
Vermont |
I support TCI as a way toward a stronger economy, equity for low-income and rural Vermonters, and a reduction in carbon pollution. I support TCI as a way toward a stronger economy, equity for low-income and rural Vermonters, and a reduction in carbon pollution. |
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