TCI Regional Policy Design Stakeholder Submissions

The Tax Increases are ridiculous! Maine survival depends on farmers, fishermen and tourists!

On behalf of U.S. PIRG, I am submitting comments in support of TCI from 874 of our members across the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic region.

The Transportation and Climate Initiative is an opportunity for our state to reduce fossil fuel emissions and invest in clean transportation, like electric cars and buses, charging infrastructure, sidewalks/bike lanes, and regional rail.

We urge you to move forward with TCI, and require that the revenue generated by the program is used to expand clean transportation. There are simply too many cars on the road -- leading to increased asthma rates, traffic congestion problems, and a warming climate.

In particular, we'd like TCI funds to go towards zero-emission electric buses, EV charging infrastructure, expanded and improved bike lanes and regional rail, as well as tax rebates toward private EV ownership.

Please support all and any legislative initiatives to reduce air pollution from public transportation in the State. It is possible and advantageous to all of us to reduce this pollution by 40%.

This is a very important program; one of the most urgent we have. Is there a "Buy Back" and replace program for low-income residents that will enable them to trade in old, inefficient cars for more efficient ones? Or, a program to retrofit older vehicles with options that will lower emissions? Or, a program to provide free vehicle inspection and upgrade services to low income families?
I would also like to see local industry recycling all plastic products. I know we have Sterling plastics; surely we could have more? And a total ban on all plastic foam entering the area or being used for take-out food and packaging.
I am devastated at the setbacks faced by the offshore wind programs while destructive oil and gas drilling is being pushed on the people of this country.

As a father of 3 children and a concerned citizen, I am urging you to consider reducing green house gas emissions by adopting the strongest TCI Regional Policy initiative. Climate change affects all of us and is the number one challenge facing everyone on this planet. It is everyone's responsability, from each individual to local to national governments to ensure a reduction of green house gases. This initiative if implemented will help in this respect. I wish to thank Governor Baker for his leadership in making Massachusetts one of the greenest state and urge him to adopt this policy. This initiative will also help the most needy that don't have access to a good transportation system.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely.
Olivier Resca

Washington Gas, which has about 765 vehicles in its fleet, supports the growth and development of − and transition to − low-carbon transportation fuels, including geologic and renewable natural gas (RNG).

There are several factors that motivate the company’s support. For one, medium and heavy-duty vehicles contribute a disproportionate amount of pollution in urban areas throughout the country, and in many cases are the most significant contributors to ozone pollution and smog. (footnote 1) This is not because cleaner technology does not exist, but rather because cleaner technology is not being deployed in effective numbers.

Converting medium and heavy-duty vehicles to natural gas can bend the emissions curve immediately, providing a ready-now, proven and highly cost-effective solution for a low-carbon transportation future. Compared to diesel, for example, natural gas engines fueled with geologic natural gas reduce CO2 and GHG emissions by at least 12%. (footnote 2)

When fueled by RNG, CO2 and GHG emissions can be reduced by up to 331%. (footnote 2)

Cap-and-invest program resources invested in natural gas technologies would significantly and immediately benefit all communities by maximizing the displacement of older, higher emitting medium and heavy-duty vehicles.

Washington Gas knows firsthand the value of NGV in its ongoing commitment to implementing sustainable business practices in how it manages its own operations, and that includes adopting NGV for its fleet.

In fact, in 2011, four years prior to the Paris Agreement, Washington Gas set 2020 targets for GHG reductions for its fleet and facilities, and to lower the carbon intensity of the gas it delivers. The company exceeded those goals in 2016. Washington Gas then announced new, updated targets for 2025, including carbon neutrality for its fleet and facilities by 2025.

Currently, the company has 289 NGVs, which equates to 38% of its current fleet. By adding dedicated Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and bi-fuel CNG vehicles to the fleet, and by taking active measures to manage fleet emissions, Washington Gas has significantly reduced the annual per vehicle emissions intensity for its fleet.

Washington Gas also monitors liquid fuel usage in bi-fuel vehicles to ensure drivers are utilizing CNG as their primary fuel source, and it monitors the liquid fuel gallons that are displaced by CNG usage each year. The company has seen an increase in this displacement as its CNG fleet has grown and CNG fuel usage awareness has gained traction throughout the company.

1 https://www.ngvamerica.org/environment.
2 Dependent upon RNG source. Reductions of 45% up to 331% compared to diesel; values based on CARB LCFS program data under CA-GREET 3.0.

Attached are Toyota's comments regarding the TCI Draft MOU. Please let us know if you have any questions. Kind regards.