TCI Regional Policy Design Stakeholder Submissions

Governor Mills will likely try to back door this tax as a “regulation fee.” If that is the case, the people lose their right to speak through their representatives in the way of a legislative vote. For those of us on a fixed income, it will be a hardship. Prices on groceries and goods trucked into Maine and throughout New England will go up in price. Every restaurant will most likely raise prices. And there we are - paying higher prices AGAIN. Face it folks - it’s another TAX!

I am not willing to pay more at the pump or to heat my home. This is a regressive tax and hurts the poor . I want to be free to choose the mode of transportation that is best for my family. Maine is such a rural state and most areas have no public transportation because of sparse population.

I believe TCI is the Northeast's best chance at funding a just transition away from single occupancy vehicles and into public and active transportation – a transition we all know is necessary. I am fully behind this initiative and will help in whatever way I can.

Asking the TCI to consider Two specific thematics:
1] IT is important to be wary of becoming isolated to one strategic domain: decarbonize the transportation sector through transitioning to an electric powered car bus system etc. This is an important part of the solution though it in effect adds to the GHG emission profile of those places where electric vehicles are manufacturing and transported and where the energy sources for our electric grid is produced. And for the foreseeable immediate future this still will be fossil-fueled.

A society governed by electric-powered vehicles does not automatically enhance smart growth/development, complete streets, dense development, safe pedestrian and bike modes nor will such a paradigm improve transportation equity for currently undeserved and economically marginalized populations. Nothing changes as well in the built environment that even as the GHG emission profile does indeed improve it will manifestly reinforce the mandate that produces more highways and parking lots, parking garages and transit numbing congestion and location and land use development that optimizes access to the single user vehicle.

2] Affected fuels and emission sources. TCI is excluding ocean and waterway shipping, and air transport were to be exempt. It might be timely to include water way shipping in that there is an emerging policy infrastructure emerging for this domain. To Wit:

90,000 ships carry 90% of global trade burning 2 billion barrels of the heaviest—and dirtiest crude. Fuels used in shipping have about 3500 times greater concentrations of sulphur dioxide SO(2) than automotive diesel. Though much shipping is seaborne in international waters much travels through harbors and waterways and ports in RI, NY, MASS, and other TCI signatories. Shipping contributes about 2-3% of global carbon dioxide CO(2). Currently the shipping sector must meet (beginning in 2020) limitations on SO (2) and Nitrogen Oxides NO and particulates as mandated by the UN International Maritime Agency. This is propelling the introduction of using lower sulphur fuels and scrubbers. In order to meet this mandate IMP’s marine environment protection committee proposed slow-steaming an approach that could collaterally cut 750 millions of tons of CO(2) or 2% of CO(2) emission by 2050, according to the International Council on Clean Transportation. Electric battery-powered ferries have operated on a small scale and wind assisted propulsion—(sailing) is an increasing option as well. And Hydrogen technologies are also being considered. Carbon Dioxide CO(2) levels will be the International Maritime Agency’s next focus as the SO(2), NO and PM regulations take hold. So it would be prudent to include this sector in the TCI deliberations.
In order to meet this mandate IMP’s marine environment protection committee.

Ships often use their own engines while they are docked: one study reported by the US EPA noted that a single cruise ship docked for one day emits as much diesel as 34,400 idling tractor trailers. Shore electric power stations were pioneered by the US Navy years ago. In 2007 California diesel emissions regulation requires 70%^ of ships to connect to shore electric power setups. (In 2018 a Swiss shipping firm was fined $650,000 for violations of this rule.) Seattle is allocating $30 mission to expand its shore power stations. China will require all cruise ships to hook up to shore power stations by 2021

I am wholeheartedly in favor of encouraging the use of Pittsburgh city buses for commuting by reducing travel and wait times. I would also like diesel buses replaced with electric ones (both city buses and school buses).

This is an excellent idea. In the face of our current climate crisis, with our federal government sidelined by willful ignorance, it is the necessary responsibility of states and municipalities to step into the gap. Our children and grandchildren's future is at stake

I strongly oppose implementation of the TCI. It is legislation thru regulation. I have no interest or desire to have my taxes or cost of operating my automobile determine or controlled by regional bureaucrats. Any initiative that will result in increasing fuel costs to taxpayers ought to be undertaken directly by local and state elected officials who are ultimately accountable to the voters. Legislators who delegate to regulators or agency bureaucrats do so only to duck personal accountability and assure themselves (in their minds) of plausible deniability when it comes to assessing blame.