TCI Regional Policy Design Stakeholder Submissions

I support public transit options that promote an electrified economy, moving away from fossil fuels and the resulting pollution and climate impact. In particular I urge support of solar and wind renewables and hydrogen.

I am thrilled that my state is one of those supporting the Transportation and Climate Initiative. Let's ensure that Virginia is at the forefront of efforts to combat the worst effects of climate change, and perhaps even to turn climate change around.

No climate benefits will result from this tax. Any reduction in emissions will reduce future temperature increases by a minuscule amount. It's a regressive tax increase masquerading as a feel good measure.

As a retired veteran on a fixed income, I think this plan is just another way to exact a tax on the citizens of Maine. Until my retirement from the army and my social security get cost of living increase to cover all the additional taxes and fees, there should be a freeze. Work on spending controls and prioritize what needs to be done. Spend only what you actually have in the bank!

While noble in objective, the TCI is fundamentally flawed and most disturbing in that it pre-supposes an outcome- that electrification is the only and best solution for reducing GHG emissions from transportation and all public funds should go to that.

Through its funding approach - cap and invest - essentially, robs Peter to pay Paul. It seems to deem ineligible near term and proven solutions like low carbon transportation fuels - such as renewable biodiesel fuel- that deployed at scale in the region could reduce carbon emissions by 80 percent -- in a timeframe that would likely be DECADES faster than electrification at scale, since all the biofuels infrastructure is essentially in place today as are the vehicles that when using it would deliver the benefits. Switching electric power generation to full scale renewables is not a given, which fundamentally weakens the premise of TCI. off shore wind and solar are coming along but not without major hiccups and setbacks now and who knows what in the future. Until then the region will be trading tailpipe emissons for smokestack ones since natural gas generates the majority of electricity in the region, and in some states far more than others.

IF - and it is a big IF -- any regional confab on climate should exist at all, no duly elected official should ever support anything but a cap and trade framework- where many solutions and technologies compete. That is the best way to achieve progress in such a diverse region on such a challenge in such a timeframe.

p Toward Clean Transportation in the Eastern U.S.
December 17, 2019 Bruce Ho

Map of TCI States and D.C.

The proposed Transportation and Climate Initiative policy is a bold step to upgrade the region's transportation system.

A dozen eastern states and the city of Washington, D.C. are taking a huge step forward in making their communities more prosperous and livable as they outline a plan to transform the region’s beleaguered transportation system, in part by investing potentially $5 billion to $7 billion per year over the next decade to do so. For comparison, that’s seven to nine times more invested each year than what these states received in total to support emissions reductions and clean transportation under the 2016 Volkswagen emissions cheating settlement.

The draft Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) proposal released today is a bold step by Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. to upgrade the region’s transportation system to be more efficient, more affordable, and less polluting.

A year ago, these jurisdictions set out to develop a plan to fix the region’s transportation problems, which include mind-numbing traffic, outdated infrastructure, delayed and insufficient buses and trains, and dirty vehicles that belch clouds of exhaust while collectively emitting more climate-harming pollution than any other sector—even power plants.

Through an innovative framework that cuts pollution and invests in 21st century transportation solutions, the TCI proposal would ensure today’s broken system isn’t also the region’s future.

Release of the proposal kicks off an opportunity for the public to weigh in and is a milestone on the way to a final regional policy due out this spring. While there are still many details to work out—and ways in which the states should further improve their final policy—one thing is clear: by committing to tackle these problems, the region’s governors and the mayor of D.C. are responding to overwhelming public sentiment. A recent poll found near universal support among eastern state voters for investments in transportation improvements and strong support for the states’ proposed regional approach to do so.
The Proposed Regional Transportation Policy

The TCI policy would set the region’s first limits on transportation-sector carbon pollution; require major industrial suppliers of polluting transportation fuels, including gasoline and diesel, to pay for the pollution their products cause; and invest those payments in clean and modern transportation solutions that benefit everyone.

The proposal relies on a proven policy model that has helped eastern states cut power plant carbon pollution in half over the last decade.

The proposal builds on a successful policy approach that for more than a decade has helped eastern states cut power plant pollution and invest in a clean power sector, with more renewable wind and solar energy and energy efficiency measures that lower electricity bills. The clean power policy has achieved these outcomes while simultaneously growing the economy, improving air quality, and creating thousands of new jobs.

As my colleague Jessica Russo illustrates below, and as modeling results released today and previously by the states and D.C. shows, we can expect similar outcomes by applying and adapting this successful policy approach to our transportation challenges.

Residents of urban, suburban, and rural communities will benefit from expanded, accessible and affordable public transportation; investments in electric buses, trucks, and other clean vehicles; resilient transportation infrastructure; improved pedestrian walkways; safe infrastructure for biking; and transit-accessible affordable housing.

Potential benefits: transit, infrastructure, jobs, economy, and health
Investments in clean and modern transportation solutions will benefit everyone.

Thus far, the states have evaluated three potential levels of policy ambition, with the strongest scenario requiring a reduction in transportation carbon pollution of 25 percent by 2032. Among its many benefits, the states project such a policy would, by the year 2032, prevent over 1,000 premature deaths and 1,300 asthma attacks per year, while providing $10 billion annually in public health benefits, including reduced medical bills, by cleaning up our air.

The states and D.C. have committed to ensure these benefits are shared equitably, including by ensuring communities disproportionately impacted by pollution and climate change and most underserved by the current transportation system are better off under the policy.
Strengthening the Final Proposal

While the draft proposal is a major step forward, there are still several questions that must be answered. These include key details around policy design, such as the need to set a minimum price on pollution and establish market protections like an “Emissions Containment Reserve” that would automatically strengthen the regional policy—and more quickly reduce transportation pollution—if the cost of doing so ends up being cheaper than expected. We’ve seen how similar elements in the region’s clean power policy design create a more robust framework, and the states should apply these lessons in the transportation sector as well.

Also important is the level of pollution reductions that the states commit to in their final policy. With transportation accounting for the largest share of climate pollution, the region’s clean transportation policy must be sufficiently bold and ambitious to ensure the scale of pollution reductions we need to address the climate crisis.

While today’s proposal includes a range of potential pollution reduction levels, it does not yet commit the states and D.C. to a final standard for transportation. Based on other analyses, we believe there are still greater opportunities to reduce transportation pollution and invest in clean solutions than the states’ draft analysis currently assumes.

In the coming weeks, NRDC and others will provide comments on the draft TCI policy proposal, including ways to strengthen it to build the clean and modern transportation system eastern state communities want and deserve.

Today, however, we recognize the states and D.C. for taking a big step forward with the release of their long-awaited proposal. The policy framework they have laid out is a sign of tangible progress that the region’s governors and the mayor of D.C. are working to ensure a brighter transportation future for their residents in the coming New Year and the years ahead.

The federal, state and local governments have not done enough to bring clean transportation to our nation. The eastern sea coast has one of the largest population concentrations and has such outmoded, fossil fuel dependent transportation. In New York City, large delivery trucks crowd our streets and pollute our air. If we had more modern clean energy produced electricity for freight and passenger trains, delivery from train depots could be mage by smaller, clean energy vehicles. Traffic congestion anxiety would be abated.
Amtrak is a disgrace! Modern high speed trains could potentially reduce air travel, saving people from the drudgery of get to and from airport because train stations are in town. Airplane fuel is becoming a greater source of pollution and is more dangerous. The New York subway system is about as good as it can be, given its old technology. How can we increase efficiency and insure more clean energy generation is available to the system?
Why is it that places like the European Union, Japan, and even China can do a better job at this? Let’s get down to some bipartisan business of trying to do what is best for our country, that includes keeping us competitive with the rest of the world. Good, clean energy transportation is part of the equation to make many of our industries more marketable.

Clean and efficient transportation is critical for climate and competitiveness. Lead, follow (China), or get out of the way. I have traveled to EU and Asia and it is embarrassing how far behind we are. Time to catch up!

Enough taxes in Massachusetts already, cut some "fluff" jobs from the payrolls, eliminate a few pensions. In general get your house in order. Do your job and spare us retirees the hardship of mpre taxes.
Do something, anything to find the money we keep pouring into the giant sieve called state government. Cut the pork out of your own budget as there is none left in mine.