TCI Regional Policy Design Stakeholder Submissions

“…design a regional low-carbon transportation policy proposal that would cap and reduce carbon emissions from the combustion of transportation fuels through a cap-and-invest program or other pricing mechanism… [and]… to complete the policy development process within one year, after which each jurisdiction will decide whether to adopt and implement the policy.”

We must take action to combat the climate crisis. Our children’s future depends on it.

The Institute for Energy Research opposes the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI).

The justification offered for TCI is that greenhouse gas emissions constitute a threat to the people of the region, but the Draft Memorandum’s assertions are overstated. The Draft Memorandum claims, “climate change poses a clear, present, and increasingly dangerous threat to the communities and economic security of each Signatory Jurisdiction.” But while some portions of the TCI region may be made worse off by climate change, other portions are likely to be made better off. It is widely accepted that cities at northerly latitudes, such as Buffalo, New York, may benefit from a warming climate. It is reasonable to speculate that Buffalo and other municipalities across the TCI region will become more attractive destinations for in-migration and will reap the rewards of increased human capital and weather more conducive to productivity.

Even taking the Draft Memorandum’s climate claims at face value, we must still ask: Will TCI provide relief to the region’s residents? The answer is a resounding “no.”

The numbers presented in the December 2019 TCI webinar show this failure. The TCI slides claim the proposal will reduce regional transportation-sector emissions by between 20 and 25 percent. The same documents cite a reference case—i.e., a scenario without the TCI emissions cap—in which emissions fall by 19 percent. In the no-cap reference case, emissions tally 206 million tons in 2032; in the scenario with the TCI cap set at a 20-percent reduction level, 2032 emissions are 202 million tons—just 4 million tons lower. In the context of the more than 30 billion tons of greenhouse gases emitted globally each year, the climate impact of TCI’s incremental reduction of 4 million tons is too small for measurement.

Meanwhile, the program will remove over $1 billion annually from the regional economy for allowance purchases. This will harm every resident of the region through increased transportation expenses. These costs will not only be seen by motorists in the form of higher fuel prices; urban residents who prefer public transit will also face higher prices, such as for goods transported to the region’s cities by truck. TCI will not confer measurable climate benefits, but it will result in immediate cost-of-living increases for millions of people.

Lastly, with its vague spending mandates, TCI will be fertile ground for corruption and waste. TCI jurisdictions will tax the general population only to dole out the proceeds to politically-favored firms that stand to benefit from TCI investments.

It is about time to for Maryland to tackle its public transportation deficiencies, renovate aging infrastructure and come into the 21st century. Public transportation is a human right: students have the right to timely and safe transport to school. Workers are spending more time behind the wheel each year, decreasing productivity and affecting quality of life. The environment suffers via increased pollution.

I applaud this effort. Would love more train & bus service throughout the region.

It is a critical to improve transportation and address the climate crisis!
NY State should join the TCI as a leader.
The NE corridor is heavily traveled and presents an opportunity to demonstrate leadership in this win-win scenario. Improving transportation and assuring sustainable fuels are used to power electric trains etc is vital to decreasing carbon footprint. Alternative methods of transport such as bicycle, and rapid recharge stations along highways, esp interstates such as Rt #95 and NY State Thruway to enable increased electric car usage.

If designed correctly, this program could help to create safe roads for biking and walking, more frequent and reliable public transportation, greater access to electric vehicles, and a more equitable system with cleaner transportation options for everyone in the region.

Climate Change needs to be addressed now with such inititiaves esp. since transportation is the single largest emitter of heat trapping gases.

Already it is easy to discern the changes in temp and rainfall precipitation at my home in the Catskills Watershed. Less frequent, though much heavier rainfall amounts has led to demonstrable erosion, passage of pollutants and particulates into the Est Kill and Schoharie Watershed.

Act responsibly and take action now.
thank you,
Robert Posch

I strongly urge all law makers to treat de-carbonizing our transportation system as a top priority. While I fear the current proposal may not go far enough, I support this initiative as a critical first step in solving this issue.

THINK OF THE WORLD YOUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN WILL FACE IF YOU SIT ON YOUR HANDS
Demand from Legislators: cap and trade legislation, all vehicles be electric or hybrid, no more sprawl, tariffs on imports from carbon wasting countries. TRANSPORTATION: A plan that holds large transportation polluters accountable for the pollution they create and invests in clean transportation solutions including: More public transit and electric vehicle infrastructure in rural areas
Expansion of commuter rail, electric vehicles, and streets in the suburbs that are safe, walkable, and bikeable
Sustainable and equitable housing near transit and electric bus fleets in urban communities