TCI Regional Policy Design Stakeholder Submissions

Material submitted through the TCI Public Input form from April 2019-February 2021 is viewable here. View input submitted from March 1, 2021 forward here. All material submitted on this page informed the participating jurisdictions in the 2019-2020 TCI regional policy design process. Click on the column headings to sort the submissions.

Date	First	Last	Affiliation	City	State	Input	File
1/16/2020	Mark	Wilson	none	Cambridge	Maryland	Greenhouse gases from transportation can be lowered by getting people to give up cars and ride public transportation, or giving people incentives to purchase electric cars and limiting the... read more Greenhouse gases from transportation can be lowered by getting people to give up cars and ride public transportation, or giving people incentives to purchase electric cars and limiting the production of electricity to renewable sources. The public transportation part is harder to do because it forces people to adapt their lives to a system. It also requires enormous amounts of money to develop systems that allow most people in urban areas to use them. Giving people incentives to transition to electric cars, developing an adequate system for recharging, and moving from fossil fuel electric production to renewable sources seems more doable and could be moved along with carbon pricing mechanisms. But the infrastructure to deal with the increasing amount of traffic introduces the problem of investing into more roads, bridges, and tunnels. This approach allows us to keep our bad habits, but is costly too. We could have a situation develop that political resistance to spending money on infrastructure could result in people in urban areas demanding public transportation. So maybe it would be wise to bite the bullet and invest in the public transportation alternative in urban areas such as the east coast corridor, and focus on electric individual options in rural areas. I think that public transportation is the ultimate answer for urban regions since private transportation growth always outpaces infrastructure growth. How this could be dealt with cap and invest and other pricing mechanisms is beyond me. A	-
1/16/2020	Alison	Altman	First Parish in Cambridge	Cambridge	Massachusetts		-
1/17/2020	Kitty	Beer	Ms.	Cambridge	Massachusetts	Complete overhaul of present transportation system is a requirement of slowing climate chaos. Private cars must give way to buses and trains and jitney-type vans serving neighborhoods. Job... read more Complete overhaul of present transportation system is a requirement of slowing climate chaos. Private cars must give way to buses and trains and jitney-type vans serving neighborhoods. Job locations will automatically adjust. Oil and gas must be replaced by solar and wind. Somebody please have the courage and imagination to spell this out!	-
1/17/2020	Sarah	Griffith	Citizen	Cambridge	Massachusetts	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 Massachusetts 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.	-
1/17/2020	Matthew	Genaze	Activist	Cambridge	Massachusetts	I request that your state formally join the plan to reduce emissions. We have scientific data and long standing evidence of the damage that will be caused by allowing such an action... read more I request that your state formally join the plan to reduce emissions. We have scientific data and long standing evidence of the damage that will be caused by allowing such an action to occur. One of the key roles of government is to preserve public safety. Willfully ignoring clear evidence of an impending catastrophe is a dereliction of duty. Scientists have worked for decades to assemble an incontrovertible body of evidence related to our changing climate, and ignoring that information is insidious. Future generations' resources, health and prosperity is dependent on us acting immediately, significantly and broadly. I demand that the policy has a strong component of equity by prioritizing clean investments in areas overburdened by pollution and/or for those who don't have access.	-
1/22/2020	Robert	Petersen	Massachusetts Audubon Society	Cambridge	Massachusetts	I support the TCI. I support the TCI.	-
2/13/2020	Sara	Amish	AmeriCorps	Cambridge	Massachusetts	I have to drive everyday to work, and it just kills me that I have no choice but to contribute to the growing problem of climate change. If we can find a way to create a world where individuals... read more I have to drive everyday to work, and it just kills me that I have no choice but to contribute to the growing problem of climate change. If we can find a way to create a world where individuals did not have to all have cars, that would be a great world.	-
2/13/2020	John	Ryter	Massachusetts Institute of Technology	Cambridge	Massachusetts	I'd first like to thank Governor Baker for his leadership on this issue and I sincerely hope that Massachusetts will formally join the program. We need to take climate action now and work to... read more I'd first like to thank Governor Baker for his leadership on this issue and I sincerely hope that Massachusetts will formally join the program. We need to take climate action now and work to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, and a high-functioning, high-efficiency regional transportation network has the capacity to reduce air travel, a major source of emissions. More local transportation infrastructure has the dual benefits of reducing the number of cars on the road and the required frequency of road repair, both of which will help reduce emissions. We should adopt the most aggressive greenhouse gas emission reduction targets available, because we are already too late to avoid many of climate change's impacts, but action now will help keep us from causing irreparable harm. I hope also that you prioritize clean investments in areas overburdened by pollution and/or for those who don’t have access to transportation choices. We should try to develop sustainably and equitably whenever possible, and work to right the wrongs of discrimination and poverty.	-
2/13/2020	CHARLES	WELCH	None	Cambridge	Massachusetts	Please continue the good work. Please continue the good work.	-
2/13/2020	Gabriela	Romanow	MGH	Cambridge	Massachusetts	It is imperative that we move quickly to reduce fossil fuels. Increasing public transportation without increasing the price of ridership will help. It will also help in reducing the horrible... read more It is imperative that we move quickly to reduce fossil fuels. Increasing public transportation without increasing the price of ridership will help. It will also help in reducing the horrible traffic snarls threatening quality of life in our city. We should increase charging stations where gas stations now are, and we should put a tax on carbon. Thank you,	-
2/13/2020	Matthew	Genaze	None	Cambridge	Massachusetts	Thank you Governor Baker for your current leadership. I request that Massachusetts formally join the TCI program. I ask that leadership choose the most aggressive greenhouse gas reduction... read more Thank you Governor Baker for your current leadership. I request that Massachusetts formally join the TCI program. I ask that leadership choose the most aggressive greenhouse gas reduction target that the most recent climate science tells us we need. We have scientific data and long standing evidence of the damage that will be caused by allowing such an action to occur. One of the key roles of government is to preserve public safety. Willfully ignoring clear evidence of an impending catastrophe is a dereliction of duty. Scientists have worked for decades to assemble an incontrovertible body of evidence related to our changing climate, and ignoring that information is insidious. Future generations' resources, health and prosperity is dependent on us acting immediately, significantly and broadly. I urge you that your newly adopted policy prioritizes clean investments in areas overburdened by pollution and/or for those who don’t have access to transportation choices. Thank you.	-
2/15/2020	Virginia	Talbot	Lesley University	Cambridge	Massachusetts	Transportation is a major contributor to climate change, and climate change is already devastating our planet. Meanwhile, clean transportation is better for the environment, for our health, and... read more Transportation is a major contributor to climate change, and climate change is already devastating our planet. Meanwhile, clean transportation is better for the environment, for our health, and the economy. Public transportation in particular is crucial to our state's future success. Please support clean public transportation and legislation to promote green transportation options. Support the Transportation and Climate Initiative!	-
2/21/2020	Betsy	Germanotta	retired	CAMBRIDGE	Massachusetts	This is urgent. We need a fast, affordable transit stystem in rural areas and suburbs, as well as in urban areas. People who use these to go to work every day, and who have to get packed in like... read more This is urgent. We need a fast, affordable transit stystem in rural areas and suburbs, as well as in urban areas. People who use these to go to work every day, and who have to get packed in like sardines, may resort to using their cars. We also could support ride-sharing not only for work-related times, but also for shopping and other trips. Much can be done immediately in those areas. This is a climate crisis, and we need to rise to the occasion.	-
2/21/2020	Ryan	Houlette	Private citizen	Cambridge	Massachusetts	We need to take concerted and strong action to reduce the carbon impact of our transportation system, using a combination of pricing policies that discourage polluters and expansion and... read more We need to take concerted and strong action to reduce the carbon impact of our transportation system, using a combination of pricing policies that discourage polluters and expansion and modernization of our public transportation system. In addition to being critical to the fight against climate change, TCI will yield significant benefits in the form of reduced air pollution, lower traffic, and healthier communities.	-
2/21/2020	Elisheva	Ash	MA resident	Cambridge	Massachusetts	I support the TCI policy of taxing gas and other transportation pollution and funding more efficient transportation. First priority for spending the tax money on bolstering public transit should... read more I support the TCI policy of taxing gas and other transportation pollution and funding more efficient transportation. First priority for spending the tax money on bolstering public transit should go to populations currently underserved by public transit, both rural and urban. Doing something about the housing crisis in urban centers is also important, so more people can afford to live closer to where they work.	-
2/21/2020	Gleb	Bahmutov	350 Mass, CitizenClimate lobby	Cambridge	Massachusetts	Transporation is a large sector of our economy contributing to fossil fuel emissions. As a state on a coast, Massachusetts will soon experience rising sea levels that can completely wipe out our... read more Transporation is a large sector of our economy contributing to fossil fuel emissions. As a state on a coast, Massachusetts will soon experience rising sea levels that can completely wipe out our infrastructure, causing economic hardships and civil unrest. I urge you to join this initiative to quickly drive green house gas emission down before it becomes irreversible.	-
2/21/2020	Pranab	Banerjee	UCS	Cambridge	Massachusetts	It is imperative that we, as a society, strive for a zero carbon transportation framework ASAP. It should not be treated as a pipe-dream, but concrete efforts need to be made to attain this goal... read more It is imperative that we, as a society, strive for a zero carbon transportation framework ASAP. It should not be treated as a pipe-dream, but concrete efforts need to be made to attain this goal sooner rather than later, given that addressing climate change is a basic survival issue confronting all of us.	-
2/26/2020	Jessica	Ruprecht	Massachusetts resident	Cambridge	Massachusetts	Reducing greenhouse gas emissions in order to address climate change is one of the most urgent tasks facing our governments and our communities. Emissions due to transportation are one of the... read more Reducing greenhouse gas emissions in order to address climate change is one of the most urgent tasks facing our governments and our communities. Emissions due to transportation are one of the largest contributors to overall emissions and therefore urgent to address. I strongly support the Transportation and Climate Initiative, along with other efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions regionally in the Northeast by adapting and improving our transportation infrastructure.	-
2/28/2020	Gail	Watson	U of Maine	Cambridge	Maine	Governor, I can't afford an increase of 17 cents in the gas tax. I can't drive 30% less than I already do. My husband and I have not taken any vacation trips, not even in local... read more Governor, I can't afford an increase of 17 cents in the gas tax. I can't drive 30% less than I already do. My husband and I have not taken any vacation trips, not even in local Maine for fiive years. I can't drive 30% less to work. I already only shop on days I go to work. We can't now afford gas to go to the Fryeburg Fair or go to movies in Bangor or take a leisurely drive for fun. We bought a car that was smaller to save on gas. Electric vehicles, besides being untenable in cold winter months, are not better for our environment. Not in their manufacture nor in the disposal, something the car manufacturers don't care about and green non conservatives have not even thoroughly considered. Your plan will sink the Maine economy. Our vacationland will become a wasteland of unemployed people. Make your budget balance by spending less, just as we rural Mainers must, or you will be spending less time as Governor.	-
2/28/2020	Linda	Robbins	Sierra Club	Cambridge	Maryland	As an owner of a 100% electric car, I strongly support the “Transportation and Climate Initiative “. We need to eliminate pollution from fossil fuels, and move towards a more energy efficient... read more As an owner of a 100% electric car, I strongly support the “Transportation and Climate Initiative “. We need to eliminate pollution from fossil fuels, and move towards a more energy efficient means of transportation.	-

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