TCI Regional Policy Design Stakeholder Submissions

Material submitted through the TCI Public Input form from April 2019-February 2021 is viewable here. View input submitted from March 1, 2021 forward here. All material submitted on this page informed the participating jurisdictions in the 2019-2020 TCI regional policy design process. Click on the column headings to sort the submissions.

Date	First	Last	Affiliation	City	State	Input	File
3/12/2020	Alan	Belek	Resident	Norwood	Massachusetts	I understand that you want to cut GHG emissions, but TCI is not the way to do it. The TCI gas tax will mean less money in the taxpayer's pocket and an even higher cost of living, when we are... read more I understand that you want to cut GHG emissions, but TCI is not the way to do it. The TCI gas tax will mean less money in the taxpayer's pocket and an even higher cost of living, when we are already near the highest in the nation. And all of this to mere negligible effects on the environment. I'm asking you to please reject the Transportation and Climate Initiative and keep Massachusetts out!	-
3/12/2020	Eleanor	Fort	Green For All	Boston	Massachusetts	Please see the petition below and attached 196 signatures from across the TCI region. These can be added to the previous 298 signatures we submitted in November which had signed onto the same... read more Please see the petition below and attached 196 signatures from across the TCI region. These can be added to the previous 298 signatures we submitted in November which had signed onto the same request, for a total of 494 signatures from Green For All supporters. Dear Transportation & Climate Initiative: We applaud your efforts to design a regional carbon pricing program for the transportation sector across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic Region. There is no question, we must take steps to cut pollution from this sector and invest in solutions. We must simultaneously take specific, measurable, and meaningful steps to ensure the communities hit first and worst by pollution, or who have inadequate access to mobility options, can fully participate and benefit from a clean, modern, reliable, and affordable transportation system. This commitment should be expressed in any regional commitment (such as an MOU), and should not be left to individual states to determine whether or how they will address the needs of our most impacted communities. Last summer, organizations representing racial, economic, transit, and environmental justice communities delivered a set of 9 principles for policy design to ensure the regional program builds in the guardrails that will ensure protections and guarantees for communities most impacted. Each of these equity principles, especially a clear process for ensuring communities are at the table, must be baked into the regional program, committed to by each state that plans to adopt the program, in order to ensure that some communities don’t get left behind. I echo and support the voices of those who are directly impacted determining what they need to see as part of the program design. I urge you to commit to specific steps for each of the 9 principles for policy design in MOU. Thank you, (Signatures attached)	TCI Petition Delivery_2020-02-27 - Sheet1 (1).pdf
3/11/2020	Tony	Moureilles	Concerned Resident	Plymouth	Massachusetts	The more we limit pollution from motor fuels, the more jobs are created, the more the economy grows, the healthier our air is and the more lives we save. Governors from across the... read more The more we limit pollution from motor fuels, the more jobs are created, the more the economy grows, the healthier our air is and the more lives we save. Governors from across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic released a draft agreement to limit climate pollution from motor fuels and invest in an economy built on clean transportation. These changes will reduce traffic congestion, make clean vehicles more accessible, increase jobs, and grow the economy. Massachusetts needs to be a part of this movement.	-
3/10/2020	Lynn	McGregor	resident of Massachusetts	Cambridge	Massachusetts	As a person with asthma and soon to be first time parent, the TCI would represent a huge step towards addressing two major concerns I have for my own health and that of my family – climate change... read more As a person with asthma and soon to be first time parent, the TCI would represent a huge step towards addressing two major concerns I have for my own health and that of my family – climate change and air pollution. I would like to thank Governor Baker for his leadership on the TCI. The TCI offers many benefits for citizens, and I am looking forward to its implementation to help us 1) reduce a key source of greenhouse gas emissions to make progress towards reducing the potential impacts of climate change, 2) reducing transportation generated air pollution, improving the health of all residents of these states, and 3) increasing the robustness of our public transit infrastructure, reducing traffic congestion and leading to improved livability of our communities while giving citizens precious time back in their days. To help realize all of these benefits, I urge you to adopt the most aggressive greenhouse gas reduction recommended by current climate change research. I also urge you to consider disproportionate increases in public transit resources to currently underserved communities and those with disproportionate air pollution exposure.	-
3/10/2020	Hannah	Gibson	Ms.	Boston	Massachusetts	We should do this! Climate Change is an existential threat to humanity and this is a once in a generation opportunity to address it! We should do this! Climate Change is an existential threat to humanity and this is a once in a generation opportunity to address it!	-
3/10/2020	amy	maguire	350 Mass Metro North Node	winchester	Massachusetts	I am in support of this initiative because I believe we need to do everything we possibly can to reduce our carbon emissions and this would be a great step forward. One day our grandchildren will... read more I am in support of this initiative because I believe we need to do everything we possibly can to reduce our carbon emissions and this would be a great step forward. One day our grandchildren will ask us what we did when we knew we had time to make a change to help them have a better future. Supporting TCI will be something we can point to as a possible turning point. Thank you. Amy Hunter Maguire	-
3/9/2020	LAURA	SPARK	Clean Water Action	Boston	Massachusetts	Attached is an updated version of a letter/comments from the Massachusetts Campaign for Clean Energy Future, with additional signatories added. Attached is an updated version of a letter/comments from the Massachusetts Campaign for Clean Energy Future, with additional signatories added.	TCI Sign on letter_0.pdf
3/8/2020	Brad	Snyder	Concerned voter and parent.	Maple Grove	Minnesota	As a Science Teacher/Environmental Educator, Engineering/STEM Professional, Environmental/Energy/Human Health Advocate, and a concerned citizen, I wholeheartedly support the Transportation and... read more As a Science Teacher/Environmental Educator, Engineering/STEM Professional, Environmental/Energy/Human Health Advocate, and a concerned citizen, I wholeheartedly support the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) and demand the most comprehensive program possible: we need improved transportation options, we need polluters to pay their fair share for the damage they are causing, and we need to act now!! Climate change is effecting the Earth NOW so it is necessary that we act NOW!! I demand a strong program that invests in creating 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! I request Minnesota to join the plan to reduce transportation emissions and fight climate change! Thanks!	-
3/7/2020	Tawnie	Olson	None	New Haven	Connecticut	I am very interested in seeing: 1 - safer bicycle lanes, preferably with concrete separating the lane from the road. Unfortunately, Northeast drivers are so aggressive that painting a line... read more I am very interested in seeing: 1 - safer bicycle lanes, preferably with concrete separating the lane from the road. Unfortunately, Northeast drivers are so aggressive that painting a line on the pavement is not enough to protect riders. I live in New Haven, and safe lanes that run out to neighboring towns (Hamden, West Haven, maybe even Guilford and the shore towns) would be fantastic. Having safer bike lanes and more people commuting via bicycle isn't just good for the environment, it's linked to a higher quality of life for communities lucky enough to have this infrastructure. 2 - More thoughtful infrastructure planning. I'm frustrated that I can take a train to Hartford, but then I'm stuck getting a cab to the airport. Surely there is a better way of doing this? 3 - Improved trains. Europe has such amazing train and bus systems, it feels like another planet when I'm there. I don't know why we can't have a quicker New Haven - Grand Central line? On a larger scale, I would love to be able to board a train in New Haven that could take me all the way to Montréal directly. Thank you for your time and consideration!	-
3/7/2020	John	Manning Jr	Massachusetts resident/TAX PAYER	WORCESTER	Massachusetts	Dear TCI, OK - right to the point... We taxpayers are sick and tired of being continually railroaded by elected (and UN-elected/appointed) government "officials".... read more Dear TCI, OK - right to the point... We taxpayers are sick and tired of being continually railroaded by elected (and UN-elected/appointed) government "officials". This is yet ANOTHER in an endless string of examples of same! Putting aside the fact that "Manmade Climate Change" is essentially a H-U-G-E government scare/money grab -- climate has been.. errrr.. "changing" for 4,600,000,000 years -- how can these initiatives be rammed through against the WILL of the taxpayers (a VOTE!) Please accept this email as my VEHEMENT OPPOSITION to TCI's proposed measures. John Manning, Jr. 14 Brookshire Road Worcester, MA 01609	-
3/7/2020	Ron	Nelson	Sell solar panels, clean batteries and EV charging stations	Fairfield	Connecticut	My colonial in Fairfield, CT went solar in 2012. I produce most of the power that I need each year........7,000 kWh per year. I was able to re-finance my mortgage to get the $12,000 to pay for the... read more My colonial in Fairfield, CT went solar in 2012. I produce most of the power that I need each year........7,000 kWh per year. I was able to re-finance my mortgage to get the $12,000 to pay for the solar. I took money from savings, my kid's college education fund, to get the $10,000 for the Federal Income Tax credit on the solar system. The next time I filed my taxes, I got a check from the IRS and replenished the college fund. The solar paid off in late 2018 or early 2019. No more electric bill and thousands of dollars saved each year. The solar can last 40 years easy and NO maintenance and no roof leaks. Super Storm Sandy came 4 months after my solar was installed and no leaks and no movement and no damage to my roof or rafters or the solar panels, wiring or racking system. My fist EV was leased through VW. It was an E-Golf and the savings in gas (no gas ever) paid for the lease every month and hardly any maintenance. It was fast and quiet. I pulled into my garage after work and plugged into the regular wall electrical socket and was full in the AM. Literally NO change to my monthly cash flow and I got a beautiful new car. BTW: so many bells and whistles! My 2016 Chevy Volt PHEV (Plug in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) now has over 95,000 miles and over 50% of those miles are all electric. My wife uses this car all weekend to shop and get her hair done and every morning she goes to the gym and no gasoline required. The car cost $31,000 net.......not too terribly much more than the normal new car sold in USA! AGAIN, very low maintenance cost. AND, when the solar panels on my roof power my car, it cost me 42 cents to travel 25 miles. BTW: if gasoline was priced correctly, carbon/polluting pricing, it would cost ++$5 per gallon or per 25 miles of travel. BTW: The CT Green Bank has had an incredible special on the Nissan Leaf for years.......almost 50% off and no more gasoline to purchase and burn and very low maintenance! Now, I did stay on the fossil fuel train when I went from oil heat to natural gas heat in 2012. I am not happy that I burn fossil fuels to heat my home. But the savings to my family every year is thousands of dollars and I guess the pollution is less. The final phase is to put new stronger panels on my roof and get all electric heating. The new insulation in my home was a no interest loan that is on my electric bill every month for 3 years.......$60 per month. I am pretty certain the cost savings in natural gas to heat my home and electricity to cool my home more than makes up for the $60 per month. After 3 years, I have no insulation installment payment and I just save. I will be 60 years old when the insulation installment payments are complete and my energy bills will be very, very low. My gasoline bill will be very low too. I will prop up the economy because I will have more $$$$ to spend on things other than dirty fuels. I have an electric bike and an electric one wheel that fills with sunshine from my solar.....they are so fun to ride/drive. It is so nice to NOT be in a car to go get dogfood at Stop & Shop. It is so nice to say HI to people along the way and blow past cars that are stuck at congested intersections and red lights. I loved my gasoline motorcycle but my Raleigh electric bike is much better for my health and the Planet's. I hate being a radical ass but....... if we made a law in Connecticut that every car on State or Federal highways and byways (from 6 am to 10 am and 3 pm to 7 pm) must have 2 people in them. The pollution would be half and the congestion would be half. In an instant! With FB and tweets and insta whatevers, social media..........people can find ride-shares in a millisecond and never, ever be put out. The costs of the morning and evening commutes would tumble......more money for people to spend on other things. More people would chat on the way to work and this World would be a better place. And talking radical.......no more selling of fossil fuels or the engines that burn them. The economy would thrive. Jobs would be everywhere. Clean factories would be built in the great american Naugatuck Valley and the middle income jobs would be double what they are today. Capitalism would do it's thing. Laws are what drive change and once changed, people won't ever look back and they will wonder why they spent thousands of dollars a year polluting the air and water and reducing their own life expectancy and that of their children. I sell solar panels and clean battery back up generators and EV charging stations. I love the space I am in and saving people money and the Planet at the same time. The technology is here now and the time is now. Thank you.	-
3/6/2020	Tarik	Shahzad	Middlebury College	Chicago	Illinois	The time for action on climate change was yesterday. Despite the scientists sounding the alarms on rising temperatures, elected officials have routinely failed to act. Greenhouse gas emissions... read more The time for action on climate change was yesterday. Despite the scientists sounding the alarms on rising temperatures, elected officials have routinely failed to act. Greenhouse gas emissions must be tackled systemically for substantial reductions in output to occur. With consistent climate denialism emanating from the Trump administration, the onus is on state elected officials to enact bold prescriptions to this growing crisis. The onus is also on fellow citizens to pressure our representatives to make the correct decisions for us. I chose to attend Middlebury College because I believed Vermont is a national leader As an environmental policy major at Middlebury College, I have learned a great deal about the unprecedented attention this crisis requires; the Transportation Climate Initiative fits the mold for bold and sweeping action that the world desperately needs. The Global Warmings Solutions Act’s passing demonstrates the ability for this state to lead in the fight against climate change. Now, it is up to us on whether we continue moving forward on this issue. The Transportation Climate Initiative’s declining emissions cap is a key step in reducing carbon dioxide emissions in the region, but the opponents of the bill routinely focus on the economic hindrances of the bill on low income Vermonters. In specific, they argue that increasing fuel prices would disproportionately impact their constituents. It appears the two sides are speaking past each other at times. On the third page of the Draft Memorandum of Understanding of the Transportation and Climate Initiative (MOU), the bill states that the benefits of a “cap-and-invest program flow equitably to communities that are undeserved by clean transportation alternatives… .” The bill sets the record straight; the goals outlined by the Transportation Climate Initiative ensures that lower income Vermonters will receive economic benefits through investments funded by the rise in fuel prices. It is designed to protect the most vulnerable citizens in the state. Moreover, if we fail to act with the looming threat of climate change, these same people will experience economic and environmental hardships. More extreme weather events, increased costs of food prices, and the degradation of the environment will impact underprivileged communities the hardest. Through a cap and invest system, revenue garnered from the program will supply the necessary mitigation reforms and economic subsidies for these vulnerable populations. Opponents of the Transportation Climate Initiative must come to terms with the looming truth; if we don’t act now to protect poor and working-class Vermonters from the climate crisis, they will suffer in the long term. During this legislative cycle, elected officials will be choosing between two radical futures. In the radical future with the passage of the Transportation Climate Initiative, more Vermonters will economically benefit through subsidies, improved transportation services, and home weatherization. In the other radical future, in which the Transportation Climate Initiative is struck down by Phil Scott and the “economic pragmatists,” the most vulnerable in this state will have fewer amenities and tools to effectively combat the climate crisis. We are at a juncture in Vermont legislative history. The Global Warmings Solutions Act was a necessary step, and the Transportation Climate Initiative will build on the climate legislation that has preceded it. The passage of this bill balances on the eventual answer to these two questions: Will those who haven’t taken a side on this issue choose to fight the climate crisis with earnest? Will Governor Phil Scott side with the fossil fuel lobbyists or the most climate-vulnerable citizens of Vermont?	-
3/6/2020	Adam	Winer	Consumer Reports	Washington	District of Columbia	Apologies for the late submission. The comments from Consumer Reports are provided at a file attachment. Thank you for the opportunity to comment, and for considering our input. - Adam... read more Apologies for the late submission. The comments from Consumer Reports are provided at a file attachment. Thank you for the opportunity to comment, and for considering our input. - Adam Winer, Consumer Reports	Consumer Reports Comments on Draft TCI MOU.pdf
3/6/2020	EDWARD	OLMSTEAD	Unitarian Society of Northampton and Florence Climate Action Group	FLORENCE	Massachusetts	March 6, 2020 Testimony to TCI by Edward Olmstead Thank you for your work on TCI to reduce emissions from the transportation sector. I strongly urge you to build on what you have so... read more March 6, 2020 Testimony to TCI by Edward Olmstead Thank you for your work on TCI to reduce emissions from the transportation sector. I strongly urge you to build on what you have so far developed. Our current status: The efforts to head off the continued destabilization and disruption of the global climate is woefully inadequate. There are many forces actively opposing taking action to stabilize the global climate including our own President and his administration. You are in a position to make improvements to the TCI and urge other states to do the same. A multi-state effort like this could have a significant impact on carbon pollution. The change is too little: The current proposals to cut transportation emissions by between 20% and 25% includes an expected 19% drop that we on track for in the next ten years. I urge you to set emissions goals that would be 20% to 25% in addition to the expected 19% drop. I urge a carbon fee and rebate to residents: The Transportation Climate Initiative seems to assume a cap program instead of a fee program. I urge you to reconsider this. Fee programs are much less complicated than cap programs making them much less expensive to run, more predictable, much more flexible to design for effectiveness and transparency including fraud detection. Residents of the Commonwealth need help to adjust to green transportation: Policies must address equity regarding access to public transportation, cost-effectiveness of public transportation, traffic congestion and its effects, the reduction of transportation climate emissions and related health impacts, impacts on access to new jobs, access to greener transportation options, and access to greener automobile technologies. TCI must clearly articulate how equity will be created for those most burdened by the adaptation to green transportation. I urge direct investment in green infrastructure in low income and other disproportionately affected communities. Clearly and specifically use funds for carbon pollution reduction: I urge you to take a position that money from this initiative should be primarily used for projects that reduce CO2 pollution and only a small portion of it should be used for adaptation to climate change. While adaptation is important, carbon dioxide reduction is what addresses the underlying cause of climate destabilization. Please take this opportunity to strengthen TCI so that it creates a road forward where human activity is not the cause of continual climate and environmental disruption. We can be leaders in this state, but you hold the key to creating a response that is proportional to the problem and which solutions are proportional to the action needed. Thank you, Sincerely, Edward Olmstead	-
3/6/2020	Margaret	Haight	Citizens Climate Lobby	Hardwick	Massachusetts	We need this initiative. Rapid implementation and aggressive goals are critical, given that we have already delayed too long on reducing emissions at scale. Any fee/tax included needs to... read more We need this initiative. Rapid implementation and aggressive goals are critical, given that we have already delayed too long on reducing emissions at scale. Any fee/tax included needs to safeguard the impact on lower income households. Some type of dividend should be part of the equation. The challenge is to get agreement on a plan in short order, and that indicates an agreement with local discretion paired with strong accountability for results. The agreement should also include strong pressure for carbon pricing at the national level.	-
3/6/2020	Jessica	Noble	Independent	Maynard	Massachusetts	It troubles me that our legislature would attempt another tax increase in such a manner. I am strongly oppose another tax increase of any kind. It troubles me that our legislature would attempt another tax increase in such a manner. I am strongly oppose another tax increase of any kind.	-
3/6/2020	Mary	Mainini	None of your business	Stow	Massachusetts	No more Taxes/Fees. No more Taxes/Fees.	-
3/5/2020	k	danowski	none	pittsburgh	Pennsylvania	Transportation is the number one source of climate pollution in the United States. That means we must totally reimagine the way that we transport people and goods. All of us must... read more Transportation is the number one source of climate pollution in the United States. That means we must totally reimagine the way that we transport people and goods. All of us must ensure that any transportation plan is bold enough to cut harmful transportation pollution at the scale needed to avert the climate crisis. We need 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 Please support this initiative to modern our transportation system. Thank you.	-
3/5/2020	Peter	Sepulveda	Waste management	Kingston	Massachusetts	Raising taxes will just put more stress on people that are living paycheck to paycheck and will just be one step closer to turning into Los Angeles Raising taxes will just put more stress on people that are living paycheck to paycheck and will just be one step closer to turning into Los Angeles	-
3/5/2020	Nuno	Cabral	Independent	Peabody	Massachusetts	Imposing a gas tax to help fund the fledgling MBTA is foolhardy and detrimental to families and tax payers of the commonwealth. The MBTA has been mismanaged and underperforming for decades. To... read more Imposing a gas tax to help fund the fledgling MBTA is foolhardy and detrimental to families and tax payers of the commonwealth. The MBTA has been mismanaged and underperforming for decades. To think that a gas tax will fix this is foolish. Voters will remember the names that voted in favor. The ballot box will show how we feel, and you all will no longer represent the working, tax paying families of the Commonwealth.	-

Pages