TCI Regional Policy Design Stakeholder Submissions

I strongly support the Transportation and Climate Initiative's plans to limit pollution (including carbon emissions) of the transportation segment of our economy. I am a Vermont resident, and am keenly aware of the need to use public resources to improve non-fossil-fuel transportation alternatives in our rural state. I am aware that the transportation sector is the largest source of global warming emissions, in the state, regionally and nationally. I am glad that Vermont is already part of the TCI, and urge VT State government to improve our commitments to lowering emissions, for the sake of ourselves, our environment, and our children's futures. I am pleased that this is a non-partisan effort, because these problems affect us all, now and in the future, not any one segment of our population.
I urge that the transportation plan include a strong component of equity in the investment in infrastructure, to benefit those who have been over-burdened by pollution, and those who currently do not have access to "clean" transportation options. It is critical that limits on fossil fuel use (which are necessary) NOT reduce the ability of those with lower incomes, or living in more rural areas to get to work, health-care, recreation and commercial areas.
I also support the regional nature of this planning, since the needed solutions cannot be implemented solely on a local or state level. Our existing transportation infrastructure crosses state lines, and will need to be re-configured on that basis. Different transportation modalities will need to be complementary, not separately designed as has been the case for far too long. Looking at the interlocking needs of citizens, businesses and institutions on a regional scale should increase the quality of the planning and the outcome on the ground.
I further urge that the planners "push the envelope" to make the most aggressive improvements in our carbon emissions in this region, as part of a global effort to save us from our past mistakes--many of which result from a lack of any coordinated, regional (or national) plan. It's time to step beyond the influence of those who already have economic and political power, and to look at the global needs of all of us--not just humans, either, but all life on earth. We have shown that we can set the Earth on a path toward destruction of species (including ourselves), now it is time to see if we can set our course to maintain bio-diversity, human diversity and the eco-systems on which we all depend.

The looming global climate crisis--caused by humankind's relatively rapid combustion of millions of years of accumulated fossil fuels--is an existential threat to human existence. Since transportation is now our largest source of global-warming emissions. rapidly achieving a carbon-neutral transportation sector is essential for human survival and the quality of life for future generations.

I urge the Commonwealth of Virginia to formally join this plan to reduce transportation-related emissions.

It's important that the adopted policy have a strong equity component, by prioritizing clean investments in areas overburdened by pollution and/or for those who don't have access.

It's long past time to stop expanding limited-access highways for toll-free travel by single-occupant motor vehicles. Rather, existing general-purpose freeway lanes should be converted into managed travel lanes for express buses and other multi-occupant vehicles.

I applaud the bipartisan nature of this project, moving us forward while the federal government has been taking us backward by lowering future automobile emission standards and expanding fossil fuel extraction and publicly subsidized fossil fuel infrastructure.

I am concerned about pollution from transportation, our largest source of global warming emissions, and its increasingly negative impact on my family's health. It is jeopardizing their welfare in the future. We must reduce pollution.

I request that Massachusetts formally join the plan to reduce emissions.

The policy must have a strong component of equity by prioritizing clean investments in areas overburdened by pollution and/or for those who don't have access.

I appreciate and applaud the bipartisan nature of this project, which is moving us forward while the federal government takes us backward.

Thank you for your consideration and for accepting my comments.

As a physician, I am concerned about the health of my patients. As a parent, I'm worried about the future of my children's health and environment. As the owner of an electric vehicle, I recognize the importance of a sustainable and viable transportation infrastructure. As someone who has worked in Massachusetts, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, I understand how closely intertwined the infrastructure of the Northeast is, and how important it is to have an integrated policy. Please continue to develop and implement a regional policy - our future depends on it.

Transportation and Climate Initiative -Less pollution, healthier lives
Reducing Pollution and Transforming Our Transportation System
Transportation is now the largest source of climate disrupting carbon pollution in Maryland and across the country. The Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) is a collaboration between Washington D.C. and 12 Mid-Atlantic and Northeast states to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution from transportation modes like cars, buses, and trucks and accelerate clean, modern and multimodal forms of transportation. Maryland and other states are engaged in ongoing conversations and gathering of public input, with the facilitation of Georgetown Climate Center, to determine a regional policy that would reduce transportation pollution.
One policy that has been widely discussed is a cap and invest program, similar to a program that exists in the electric power sector. This policy could set a declining cap on the amount of carbon pollution released by the use of transportation fuels by requiring entities like wholesale fuel distributors that sell gasoline and other fuels to retail outlets (i.e., gas stations) to purchase emission permits available under the cap (2). The proceeds from sale by states of those permits could then be invested in clean alternatives like electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, public transportation, walking and biking projects, and other smart growth initiatives, speeding up the must needed transition to a clean, equitable, 21st century transportation system.Mirroring a partnership that works.This partnership could closely mirror an effort the region has taken through the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), which sets a declining cap on the amount of carbon dioxide power plants can emit and generates dedicated funds for clean energy programs through states’ sale of emission permits under the cap to power plants. The program has helped cut regional emissions nearly in half and invested over $616 million (3) in Maryland mostly for energy efficiency, consumer benefit, and clean energy projects. Participating Governments CT, D.C., DE, ME, MD, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VI, VA.
WHAT WOULD INVESTING IN CLEAN TRANSPORTATION GET US?
A recent analysis by the Georgetown Climate Center found that investing $3 billion annually in the Northeast states to reduce vehicle GHG emissions would (4):
Save thousands of lives in the region in 2030. Create more than 113,000 jobs in D.C. and Maryland through 2030 Put $11.81 billion in D.C. and Marylanders pockets through 2030. 73% of Marylanders support a policy to limit transportation pollution (5)
Who makes the decisions?
The Maryland Departments of Environment and Transportation makes decisions on adopting this policy in collaboration with other agencies, states, and D.C. The Maryland General Assembly passed a law affirming the state's direction in this program in 2019.
Recommendations for policy solutions
Maryland should make a make a firm commitment to adopt a regional transportation policy that achieves a minimum 40 percent reduction in transportation sector climate pollution by 2030, to keep us on track to meet the climate goals updated by the General Assembly in 2016.
Investment and policy decisions should be made based on pollution reduction and equity goals, as well as robust engagement opportunities from the public‒particularly those most overburdened by transportation pollution and undeserved by our current transportation system.

I deeply care, for my children and future generations, about reducing pollution from transportation, which is our largest source of global warming emissions. I hereby request that Connecticut formally join the plan to reduce emissions.
I demand that the policies have strong components of equity by prioritizing clean investments in areas overburdened by pollution and/or for those who don't have access. I express my support and gratitude for the bipartisan nature of this project, and the legislators who aren’t corrupted by the dirty fuel cartel. Thank you for moving us forward while the shameless Republican-led federal government betrays our nation on every level.

As someone who hopes to become a farmer soon, I have already seen the effects of climate change on the upcoming field season. Seed is less plentiful than in years past due to excessive flooding in seed production areas. I only foresee our problems becoming worse in the future if we do not "man up" and work together to address our growing catastrophes. It is time to right the ship. My future career in the great state of Vermont depends on it. One of the most important ways we can do this is by reducing pollution from transportation, which is our largest source of global warming emissions (regionally and nationally).
I kindly request that Vermont formally join the plan to reduce emissions.
The policy should have a strong component of equity by prioritizing clean investments in areas overburdened by pollution and for those who don't have access.
I am grateful for the bipartisan nature of this project, moving us forward while the federal government takes us backward.

Regards and fruitful endeavors,

Melissa Wales

Global climate change is very real.

As an older person, as someone with a formal biology background, and as someone who spends a lot of time outdoors, I see the impacts of these changes all around me - even here in relatively safe Pennsylvania. And, as an older person, I still feel a deep sense of disgust at the tobacco industry's infamous tactic of muddying the waters over the obvious health impacts of smoking in order to protect profits for as long as possible, while ignoring the very real and very devastating impacts on millions of individuals and families. Climate change has seen the very same approach by the fossil fuel industry for the same reasons, and our politicians, once again, have, whether enthusiastically or tacitly, gone along with these blatant lies, accepting the very real consequences that too many are experiencing firsthand.

Transportation is one of the major sources of harmful emissions pushing climate change. Transportation is also an excellent way for multiple states along with politicians of all stripes, scientists, and civic planners to find creative, effective ways to reduce these emissions. It is also important to recognize that waste products, which these emissions are, are costly to produce. Creatively reducing waste can reduce costs.

Having Pennsylvania join this effort and reap its benefits would be wonderful, so I trust our officials will take a leadership position in bringing this to fruition. As a state (commonwealth), we should have policies that emphasize and prioritize investments in clean and sustainable energy alternatives. And we should prioritize clean, sustainable, cost-effective mass transit across the entire state - something we desperately need.

By contrast, ignoring science, and ignoring the potential economic benefits, the Trump Administration has aggressively moved the United States backwards in the clean energy pursuit. The idea that states will work together to equally aggressively push forward to a better world for all our grandchildren is very appealing.