TCI Regional Policy Design Stakeholder Submissions

I applaud all the efforts to promoted alternative transportation methods. So much so that I believe education and training in these methods must become part of the curriculum in public schools, as they are in schools in many other countries in Europe and Asia, as well as Washington D.C.
Cycling specifically, if we hope to see more diverse participation, must be recognized as an essential skill, and included in the physical education curriculum, beginning in kindergarten. There seems to be a serious effort to grow the active transportation culture, that's what schools are for, training the next generation for the challenges they will face. For a healthier more self-reliant republic teach the children to ride bikes and incentivize the practice.

I am disappointed to hear that the projected revenues from this program may be shifted to transportation infrastructure projects in the participating regions. The public already pay into a number of existing taxes, fees and tolls that were sold as a means of paying for infrastructure. Where those funds are short - the public and the public officials running their operations have a duty to address the concern through traditional appropriations means.

If this program is meant to address greenhouse gases, these revenues should be spent ONLY on programs which most directly concern the reduction of those emissions, their sequestration, or their offset.

I sincerely hope that a policy of ranked proposals is formalized and that expenditures are executed on a basis of maximizing GHG reductions with the funds raised therein.

Finally - please consider incentives to businesses and organizations which demonstrate carbon capture.

Thank you.

You are kidding me and the people of this state. This TCI is completely ludicrous. I live and work in RI for the state and I drive an hour each way. I drive a 4x4 vehicle cause of snow I’m an RN I need to be there for my patients and fellow workers to relieve them. You expect us to pay more for gasoline ????? This is bullsh*t. Take your liberal ideas and stuff them. I like my house and don’t want to move because you are trying to rob me at the pump. Finally gas has been at a good low for the last 4 years and no you ,a holes, want to gouge me. This sucks for all RI residents. The facts are it won’t make but a 1-6% difference to the emissions output. So I think you need to rethink thus crazy TAX HIKE. Hey Gina WEAR YOUR MASK AND STAY HOME LIKE YOU TOMD ALL OF US.

In this terrible economic time, do you really think your TCI agenda will help. You are looking to far down the road with the TCI plan. You need to concentrate on the economic hardship that is upon millions of people NOW! Revisit your TCI plan maybe a couple of years from now. Let us catch our breath from the Covid-19 mess!!

Please find attached comments from the BlueGreen Alliance, the Labor Network for Sustainability, and the New Jersey Work Environment Council, regarding proposed TCI equity commitments.

I support this general concept because I am worried that the current Amtrak and other current train transportation systems are located too close to the coast and will be subjected to increasing damage as sea levels rise and storm intensities increase, as well as due to aging. The east coast needs inland transportation networks that are electricity based. Large wind turbine arrays off shore are being planned and can provide plenty of clean renewable electricity for buses and vans and trains that can recharge at night and/ or during the day when excess electricity is being generated. This can reduce cost and pollution and provide new manufacturing and installation jobs as all this new infrastructure is being built and expanded over the next several decades. Cement used for (eg platfoms for stations and turbines) could be made by new methods that cut carbon dioxide emissions.Raising gasoline and fossil fuel taxes could help provide revenues and discourage the use of private vehicles using fossil fuels. As you plan think about these possibilities and other new ways to cut costs and cut emissions.

This initiative has increased taxes written all over it. If one switches to hybrid and electric vehicles, where do the batteries get charged? If fossil fuel is to be replaced, there is not enough wind, solar and hydro to replace it, even in 30 years. Nuclear energy needs to be revisited. I have read where there is little if any wasted uranium with the new technology and water cooling has also changed. Why isn't nuclear power being discussed as an energy source? This initiative is very socialistic and makes government bigger and more costly. People that live in rural areas do not need or require all the transportation services of the city. Many are willing to make the services trade off for a rural lifestyle. Careful study of the costs and benefits of this proposal are called for. Thank you.

The attached comments are a re-submission of comments previously submitted on 10/30/2020, now on behalf of 200 organizations from across the 13 TCI jurisdictions, stating our support for an ambitious and equitable TCI program that includes strong safeguards and guarantees for overburdened and underserved communities.