1/16/2020 |
Lynn |
Spensley |
Concerned citizen |
Dedham |
Massachusetts |
Each automtive production year should be required to have improved mileage over the previous year. Each automtive production year should be required to have improved mileage over the previous year. |
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1/16/2020 |
J |
Cahill |
citizen |
northboro |
Massachusetts |
The Transportation Climate Initiative is necessary but not sufficient policy to address the challenge of climate change mitigation.
All economic sectors must be represented to make real... read more The Transportation Climate Initiative is necessary but not sufficient policy to address the challenge of climate change mitigation.
All economic sectors must be represented to make real climate progress. Comprehensive carbon reduction measures are ready to implement in the next year-decade time frame. The political will must follow the public will to act on climate protection.
I am very concerned about the 2022 start, gradually phased implementation of TCI, and lagging outcome of consumer behavior change.
No time can be spared, with the climate bomb detonated in every part of the world. We can't escape the manifold and epic changes already baked into our physical, chemical and biological systems by excess carbon and greenhouse gas accumulation to date, much less buffer todays and tomorrows additional emissions.
At a minimum MA must adopt statewide comprehensive carbon pricing; targeted emission reductions to net zero asap; and no burning of carbon to supply "renewable" electricity. Even as MA and region negotiate a transportation agreement, all minds are simultaneously called to brainstorm and implement cross-sector emissions reduction.
TCI must not lull our regional authorities into complacency. In each jurisdiction we must act in concert with TCI planning, boldly and ambitiously, without delay. The time is past to dither. Legislation to bond this cost, rather than make direct investment in real time, is absurd and unconscienable. Blackrock financial just committed their trillions to sustainable investment; so must public investment be redirected. Business as usual cedes to business with future welfare included in the calculus.
We lead as individuals, communities, businesses and government. No waiting time exists. All exertion to reduce this highest risk to all, this existential threat to life in this geologic epoch, is belated. The house is on fire. Each day brings a new sense of emergency, in all parts of this imperiled life support system. We're in the ICU and heading into hospice.
TCI and climate protection needs to care for the vulnerable. An estimated billion animals died in Australia, over these past months of unprecedented change amidst a politically reckless, reeking, wreckage of landscape, habitat, and civilization. No corporate energy monetary profits can be justified, nor can their assets afford to redeem or compensate for THIS LOSS ALONE, the massive scale of wildfire extinction and destruction. The shame is what could have happened, what our kids future might have been, had leaders listened to scientists rather than campaign financier propagandists, since 1988. Stop politically blockading and braking clean energy progress.
The Massachusetts Joint TUE committee heard H.2810 Act to Promote Green Infrastructure and Reduce Carbon Emissions on Tuesday 1/14/20. This is the gold standard for equitable carbon pricing for TCI to follow. It addressed buildings carbon emissions, not just transportation. We need to move on both sectors, as we accelerate non-carbon emitting electricity generation, and decelerate conventional energy production, transmission, and market monopolization.
Please act on all aspects of greenhouse gas mitigation, before all is lost, here and everywhere.
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1/16/2020 |
Carol |
Letson |
Greening Greenfield |
Greenfield |
Massachusetts |
I am a mother, an educator, an energy activist in my community of Greenfield, MA. What an important step it is to get the Governors of our East Coast states to work together to change our... read more I am a mother, an educator, an energy activist in my community of Greenfield, MA. What an important step it is to get the Governors of our East Coast states to work together to change our transportation habits. It will take a very concerted effort. Among other things, encouraging more dense development with fewer outlying housing complexes is essential. In the case of Western Massachusetts, our terrain is very rural and public transportation systems are not adequate. We are a forgotten segment in transportation planning for our state. We cannot continue to rely on buses that use fossil fuel, and we do not have the infrastructure or the funds to change to electric vehicles at this time. Thank you for focusing on remedies that get people out of individual cars and onto buses, trains, subways. Every day our vehicles are creating more and more health issues down the road.
Yours,
Carol Letson, citizen of Greenfield, MA, and a member of Greening Greenfield, a citizen organization working to reduce energy use in our city.
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1/16/2020 |
Sue |
Felshin |
Voter |
Concord |
Massachusetts |
I am strongly in favor of the TCI and urge Massachusetts to implement it regardless of how many other states join now vs. join later.
The TCI should apply to ALL transportation... read more I am strongly in favor of the TCI and urge Massachusetts to implement it regardless of how many other states join now vs. join later.
The TCI should apply to ALL transportation fossil fuels including for personal cars, company cars and vans, corporate fleets, on-demand transportation (taxis, etc.), delivery vans, trucking, freight trains, municipal and state-owned vehicles, federal vehicles within the geographic scope of the TCI, mass transit vehicles -- including ferries and school buses -- whether public or private, personal watercraft, fishing boats, cruise ships, freight shipping, other freshwater and saltwater transportation, aircraft of all kinds including drones, and all other fossil fuel use for transportation.
The goal of the TCI isn't to stop people from traveling, but rather to shift people toward lower carbon transportation. Many people currently have no alternative to driving. As a matter of equity, it's important for much of the monies raised by TCI to be applied to rebates and subsidies for electric or plug-in hybrids especially in rural areas, for public transit everywhere, and where possible, for small businesses both on-shore and in local waters. As a further matter of equity, we should take some of the cost savings from improved health due to reduced fossil pollution and apply it to further assist people who are hit hardest by fuel price increases due to the TCI, whether through additional support for greener transportation and mass transportation, or in other ways such as increased health care subsidies.
Climate change is a huge problem. The TCI is just one part of the solution. We should implement the TCI while also implementing many other solutions. Preferably some that bear fruit faster than the TCI, since Massachusetts is faltering right now due to slow and failing transportation. |
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1/16/2020 |
Michael |
Duhigg |
Unaffiliated |
Boxborough |
Massachusetts |
Use clean alternative powered buses, e,g, electric or hydrogen, and set aside lanes for these vehicles. Also, develop more public parking outside cities to facilitate the use of these buses. Use clean alternative powered buses, e,g, electric or hydrogen, and set aside lanes for these vehicles. Also, develop more public parking outside cities to facilitate the use of these buses. |
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1/16/2020 |
Alison |
Altman |
First Parish in Cambridge |
Cambridge |
Massachusetts |
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1/16/2020 |
Carole |
Plumb |
Citizen |
Wayland |
Massachusetts |
I support policies that show short and long term planning for curbing the both the greenhouse gas levels rising and increased transportation/traffic woes due to use of fossil fuels. A scientist by... read more I support policies that show short and long term planning for curbing the both the greenhouse gas levels rising and increased transportation/traffic woes due to use of fossil fuels. A scientist by training I understand hard limits and the damage resulting from a spiraling negative feedback loop. If repairs are not going to be made by regulatory fiat, and a market solution is more palatable to get the job done-then build the system to make it happen. Short term thinking is what got humanity here in the first place- choosing comfort, convenience and cheap over building century stable systems which require effort. Humans are not evolved to be good at long term planning. Like safety protocols LT planning requires training and reinforcement.
What feels like small actions by individuals aggregate into horde of people which has big impacts. I place "the everything is fine as long as I get mine" and "why worry, it hasn't happened before" crowd into the category of homeowners who refuse to budge for hurricane evacuations until its too late, panic and jam the roads, or need to be asked to write their social security numbers on their arms so the bodies can be identified after the storm surge.
Commenters outraged at paying any taxes should work harder at getting your government to stop blowing billions of dollars on needless wars and hundreds of millions on Trumps golf outings. Try and remember taxes should pay for bridges that stay up, usable transportation and the social infrastructure of civilized society. Good government does not come for free. Ignorance, bad data and ideas repeatedly proven wrong that won't stay dead, well, those are free but still manage to end up costing everyone.
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1/16/2020 |
Cynthia |
Morrell |
NRDC, NWF member |
South Hadley |
Massachusetts |
We spend two weekends each year up on the Maine seacoast in Ogunquit. Living in western MA, we don't really have an option except for cars. It would certainly be terrific is someone could... read more We spend two weekends each year up on the Maine seacoast in Ogunquit. Living in western MA, we don't really have an option except for cars. It would certainly be terrific is someone could figure out an east-west rail line here in MA. If it could be linked to a faster tri[ from Boston to Maine, that would be great too. |
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1/16/2020 |
Tawnya |
Smith |
Boston University |
Boston |
Massachusetts |
Dear Madam/Sir,
As a professor at Boston University who lives south of the city, I utilize the Commuter rail several times each week to get to work. In other instances, I travel to... read more Dear Madam/Sir,
As a professor at Boston University who lives south of the city, I utilize the Commuter rail several times each week to get to work. In other instances, I travel to East Coast cities for conferences and presentations. I appreciate public transportation because it allows me to more efficiently work during travel, and it allows me to keep my personal and work carbon footprint smaller. I am deeply frustrated that there are not more options for public transportation on the East Coast. While I am grateful for what does exist, I think that the population density in the region warrants a massive expansion and updating of the current system. This would have the benefit of reducing harmful pollution in the area, especially for children and the elderly who have more vulnerable health. Because pollution is linked to mental health ills, it seems extremely important to address the pollution in the area given we are in a climate of mass shootings and and increase in public violence. In my opinion, not acting to improve our transportation system would an act of neglect of our citizens. On a personal level, I do not appreciate breathing in the harmful fumes released by the commuter trains. Electric trains would be a very welcome improvement.
Additionally, we are in the midst of a climate crisis!!! High speed electric trains powered by renewable energy would allow us to make an important step towards reducing our carbon emissions which is a goal of many cities and agencies in the area. Most of all, we must act with haste to ensure a livable future for all persons and species on the planet!
I fully support an effort to expand and update the public transportation in the East Coast region!!!
With hope for a speedy and positive result,
Dr. Tawnya D. Smith, PhD
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1/16/2020 |
Jill |
Rosenkranz |
concerned citizen |
West Tisbury |
Massachusetts |
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1/16/2020 |
Eric |
Fisher |
Organic Farmer, Climate Advocate |
Groton |
Massachusetts |
I am in favor of all measures that will reduce carbon emissions from transportation. I believe that we should be making major investments in public transportation infrastructure including... read more I am in favor of all measures that will reduce carbon emissions from transportation. I believe that we should be making major investments in public transportation infrastructure including electrification of regional rail networks and adding light rail service to crowded urban regions underserved by public transit today. I support measures to reduce vehicle traffic in the inner cities including congestion fees, and I think EV charging stations should be in every public parking lot and garage.
Environmental issues are not partisan and I appreciate the bipartisan support the TCI is getting. If Massachusetts has not joined I'm expressing my hope that we do so immediately. When planning infrastructure investments, we must pay attention to underserved areas, especially inner city communities traditionally ignored because of poverty and/or racism. |
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1/16/2020 |
Tony |
Moureilles |
Concerned Resident |
Plymouth |
Massachusetts |
The Northeast region needs to set an overall limit on pollution from transportation through a regional “cap-and-invest” program, similar to the program the region implemented for electricity-... read more The Northeast region needs to set an overall limit on pollution from transportation through a regional “cap-and-invest” program, similar to the program the region implemented for electricity-related emissions. This program would begin to hold oil companies accountable for their emissions and provide funding for clean mobility for Northeast residents.
This is no longer a luxury — we need to enact bold change.
It is through actions like these that we in the Northeast can show the whole country that we can lead again. We can create a better, cleaner transportation system for Northeast residents through investments in public transportation and new technologies such as electric vehicles. |
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1/16/2020 |
Amy |
Henry |
Concerned citizen |
Northampton |
Massachusetts |
I'm writing to say that I believe we must reduce pollution from transportation--it's our largest source of global warming emissions, both regionally and nationally. Therefore, I'm... read more I'm writing to say that I believe we must reduce pollution from transportation--it's our largest source of global warming emissions, both regionally and nationally. Therefore, I'm asking that Massachusetts formally join the plan to reduce emissions.
I also hope that the policy will be equity-based by prioritizing clean investments in areas overburdened by pollution and/or for those who don't have access.
I appreciate the bipartisan nature of this project. It has the potential to move Americans forward while the federal government takes us backward. Thank you for your attention to this issue. |
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1/16/2020 |
Zoe |
Quinn |
citizen |
Salem |
Massachusetts |
I strongly support greater regulation of pollution coming from transportation. I believe in addition to this regulation, however, we need to focus on creating a larger, better, and more affordable... read more I strongly support greater regulation of pollution coming from transportation. I believe in addition to this regulation, however, we need to focus on creating a larger, better, and more affordable public transit infrastructure to help combat single-person contribution to this issue. |
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1/16/2020 |
Kay |
Clement |
concerned senior citizen |
North Adams |
Massachusetts |
Respectfully request action to commit to solid scientific action to provide safe and environmentally sustainable means of transportation that will support our environment rather than continuing to... read more Respectfully request action to commit to solid scientific action to provide safe and environmentally sustainable means of transportation that will support our environment rather than continuing to degrade the climate. We, as a society, must protect our Earth and stop relying on old school means of transportation. Supporting the Transportation and Climate Initiative will benefit our Society and future generations.
I thank all who work on this initiative. We must work together with respect to forward sustainable initiatives, laws, programs to better and enlarge this world.
Thank you for your consideration.
Kay Clement
North Adams, MA |
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1/16/2020 |
Katharine |
Pillsbury |
concerned resident, mother |
Newton Highlands |
Massachusetts |
Emissions from so many polluting cars not only causes rising temperatures but also has caused higher rates of asthma -- especially among kids. The rates of asthma have increased at my kids school... read more Emissions from so many polluting cars not only causes rising temperatures but also has caused higher rates of asthma -- especially among kids. The rates of asthma have increased at my kids school --more kids needing inhalers! Reducing emissions will directly help improve kids lives now and in their future.
Regional policy has really helped in the electricity sector. We need additional funds and policies to upgrade public transportation and low CO2 means of transportation -- EV cars and busses.
The Transportation and Climate Initiative is a major step in helping improving our kids lives.
Thank you.
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1/16/2020 |
Eric |
Cornetta |
concerned citizen of Hingham MA |
Hingham |
Massachusetts |
I am excited to support a strong plan to reduce transportation pollution in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region.
Cleaner transportation can protect our environment and grow our economy... read more I am excited to support a strong plan to reduce transportation pollution in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region.
Cleaner transportation can protect our environment and grow our economy with green jobs that last.
We must include those left behind most often by prioritizing clean investments in areas overburdened by pollution and folks who don't have access.
It is amazing there can be bipartisan support of this project, moving local areas forward while the federal government moves us backward.
Massachusetts must join this initiative, I urge Governor Baker to get on board with this Transportation & Climate Initiative. |
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1/16/2020 |
Petra |
Reitz |
Ms |
East Bridgewater |
Massachusetts |
Love the bipartisan approach to solving huge issues with traffic and emissions. So many people go the same places, why do we have to do it individually? Public transportation in cities works;... read more Love the bipartisan approach to solving huge issues with traffic and emissions. So many people go the same places, why do we have to do it individually? Public transportation in cities works; between cities will work as well. Instead of fighting each other let's ride and relax together when we can. We have (or are developing) the technology-- let's move from the past into the future! |
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1/16/2020 |
Peg |
whelley |
none |
billerica |
Massachusetts |
Boston is being choked by traffic, to the point i have changed my behavior. We really need a regional proposal for public transportation. Boston is being choked by traffic, to the point i have changed my behavior. We really need a regional proposal for public transportation. |
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1/16/2020 |
D'Anna |
Fortunato |
New England Conservatory of Music |
Boston |
Massachusetts |
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