TCI Regional Policy Design Stakeholder Submissions

My name is Richard Butz, I’m a member of the Bristol, Vermont, Energy Committee, a Board member of Vermont Interfaith Power and Light (VTIPL), a Board member of Addison County River Watch Collaborative (ACRWC), a father and grandfather. I’m writing in strong support for Vermont’s participation in the Transportation Climate Initiative.

As a college professor (now retired as an assistant professor of engineering technology), I lectured on building and transportation systems and have been staying up on the environmental and technological aspects of those systems. To me the evidence is clear, while we’re in trouble regarding greenhouse gas emissions, the technology exists, right now, to address them. What’s missing are the will and financial resources. TCI will facilitate change in attitudes and provide funding to encourage sustainable practices while protecting low income vermonters through rebates and incentives. It will result in clean, good paying jobs as we make the necessary transitions.

As a member of the Bristol Energy Committee, I work to plan and implement ways our citizens can achieve the mobility they need, whether it involves frequent and convenient public transportation or finding ways to afford more efficient and affordable personal vehicles. We’ve already benefitted from weatherization programs that have been funded through monies received as a result of the two million dollars Vermont receives each year as part of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. Our Button-up and Window Dressers initiatives are local examples. TCI will function in a similar way to RGGI.

As a person of faith, a progressive church member and a Board member of Vermont Interfaith Power and Light, I advocate for TCI because it is a significant step in reducing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, critical to protecting Creation, something people of faith understand and are called to do. Last Thursday more than fifty members of VTIPL spent the day at the State House in Montpelier, meeting with our legislators to lobby for the first bill of the Global Climate Solutions Act. Imagine our joy when it passed the House with a large majority.

I know that transportation contributes 43% of Vermont’s greenhouse gas emissions, and if we are to make any progress in this regard we are going to have to invest in cleaner public transportation modes, particularly in rural locations where driving is a significant factor. As a long-term Prius owner I know how much less gasoline an efficient vehicle uses and its impact on my budget, something that needs to be made available to low income vermonters, and the funding from TCI would assist in that regard.

As a grandfather I fear for our kid’s future. The Fourth National Climate Assessment and the IPCC reports among countless others, make it clear that we have very little time to act. We know from our own experience that we are already experiencing erratic and destructive weather patterns, emergence of tick and mosquito born diseases that we never saw before, and we run the risk of losing our maple trees, having shorter ski seasons, degrading our beautiful streams, rivers and lakes, and the tourism that these resources support. In short, our way of life and the Vermont Brand may be lost. We can’t let that happen.

To be clear, I urge Vermont to join TCI!

I am inspired by TCI's policy model, because I believe that without such powerful and proactive steps, my grandchildren's lives will be horribly affected by climate change. I think that TCI is an example of government at its best, so thank you from the bottom of my heart. Richard Thomas, Ph.D.

Reducing pollution from transportation is a key component to reducing New Jersey's emissions.
Public transit investments that could be made with TCI proceeds would be valuable.
Please choose the aggressive greenhouse gas reduction target that the most recent climate science tells us we need
I urge that the policy prioritize clean investments in areas overburdened by pollution and/or for those who don’t have access to transportation choices.
Thank you

I Have studied transportation issues for about 30 years. You do not need another long letter citing the all of the reasons this needs to happen. Stop denying the logic because the time for solutions is almost past. As a great, late politician used to say "Do it now!"

This initiative is critical if we are to make a real attempt to reduce greenhouse gases and air pollution from cars,
buses, and trucks and push the implementation of clean, modern, multimodal forms of transportation. This partnership
could be based on the Regional Greenhouse Initiative which sets up a declining cap on the amount of carbon dioxide power plants
can emit. That program has helped cut regional emissions almost in half and has involved an investment of more than $600 million--
mainly for clean energy.

Please pursue your goals by making an open, honest, case and let the voters decide.

The people must decide by voting.

It is vital that emission standards are not degraded within this region and across the nation. Europe has long held higher standards and the impact on air quality is well documented. The fossil fuel industry should not hold power over rational and safe standards for emission not should they remain the primary decision makers for investment in clean rapid transit. Forward looking measures in both of these areas will foster clean development and provide the basis for job growth in this Northeast region.

Here we go again lots of words to disguise another tax. Why not call it what it is a gas tax one you can’t vote for or against. Taxation without representation.

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. Complete the policy development process within one year, after which each jurisdiction will decide whether to adopt and implement the policy.