TCI Regional Policy Design Stakeholder Submissions

I oppose Massachusetts participating in the Transportation Climate Initiative.

The TCI will be paid for by working families and small businesses across Massachusetts in the form of a gas tax. The current proposal could see an additional five to 17 cents per gallon, and these costs will be passed down to consumers in more ways than one. Not only will it cost more to fill the gas tank, run errands, and pick up the kids from school, businesses will be forced to raise the prices of goods to cover the cost of this proposal.

In addition, living in a part of Massachusetts close to New Hampshire, consumers will take their money across the border. Instead of buying their gas in Massachusetts, consumers will go to New Hampshire (who has already opted out of this proposal) to buy gas, as well as other goods like groceries and lottery tickets, that they would usually buy in Massachusetts.

Despite its good intentions, the TCI’s effect on reducing carbon emissions will be marginal. Carbon emissions are already expected to fall in the next decade by at most 19%. The TCI will only see a reduction in carbon emissions between 1-6%.

Before imposing this new tax, the proposal should come for a vote before the legislature. Unilaterally levying a gas tax is not just bad practice, it’s bad policy. Massachusetts needs to take a hard look at the TCI before saddling Massachusetts families and businesses with new taxes.

Hello,

I am writing to urge you and your colleagues to support the Transportation Climate Initiative. I'm sure you're aware of the benefits and the drawbacks of the plan, and I want to encourage you to think of the drawbacks as opportunities that, once overcome, will be a boon for all Vermonters and the planet as a whole.

I understand that the TCI could increase the cost of using fossil fuels for citizens. We should think of a way to keep that from hitting low income Vermonters as hard as it would wealthy Vermonters. I know Gov Scott is very considerate of allowing folks to save and keep their hard earned cash. But would it not be possible to work out a system where, IF Vermonter residents were to pay a bit more, that is was proportionate to ones income level? We shouldn't get hung up on "don't make people pay more" right now. That's a small problem compared to what we face with the climate crisis.

Vermont is already participating in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). This cap and invest program covers the electric sector in the Northeast, and it has proven very successful, reducing consumer costs and carbon pollution from the power sector by 40 percent. Then, Vermont has strategically invested the revenues raised from RGGI, directing the $2 million annually into weatherization programs that help Vermonters stop wasting energy and save money. We could use returns from the TCI to improve energy efficiency, weatherize more homes, improve our public/alternative transportation, etc. These aren't pie in the sky hypothetical outcomes - we can make truly positive change by simply pariticipating in this new initiative.

The price we pay up front to try and keep the world hospitable would most certainly yield a return - in terms of actual cash in our pockets and the assurance that our future generations have a safe place to live. When considering, please remember that there are also many supporters of investing in a greener present and future, and we will work with everyone to make it equitable for all. I happen to work for an organization that serves to reduce energy use for Vermonters, and we specifically work on solutions for low and moderate income folks. This is to say, even if we don't have a set idea how to keep prices as low as possible for Vermonters, we will think of a way. Any minor discomfort around money needs to be met with the acceptance that we MUST clean up our fossil fuel mess, even if there is no easy or cheap way of doing it effectively. But, reducing our consumption WILL save money over time, and is the undisputably right thing for us to do for ourselves and all of earth's inhabitants. Humans are responsible for climate change, and Vermont needs to try harder to change our course.

Thanks for your time. Best wishes for 2020.

Best,

Erin Moriarty
Winooski, VT

This tax will hurt my business and my lifestyle. I live and work in South County area of Rhode Island and it isn't feasible for bikes and there isn't any public transportation. My business requires us to go to people's homes to we work and TCI will add an unfair burden on our business and we don't have room to pass the cost along to the consumer

Let the corporations that are producing electric vehicles find a profitable way to do so. Let the people who use public transportation pay a little more. Why are you always looking to soak the middle class.

Enough: Sales tax when we buy a car, tax on each and every gallon we buy, excise tax every year for the privilege of owning a car, mandatory, inspection tax every year, and NOW YOU ARE ALSO TALKING ABOUT A MILEAGE USAGE TAX???? are you guys nuts - ENOUGH!

I do not want my state to belong to any such agreement. Maine cannot afford to drive more expensive cars or drive less because we are a rural state. We must drive many miles to get to urban areas. We need to be able to support efforts that meet our needs in Maine, not other states particularly with more populated areas. TCI is a regressive hidden tax that would be levied on Maine drivers. We are already taxed too much. Our legislature should make these decisions for Mainers, not unelected councils such as TCI.

No more taxes!!!! Take it from the newly legalized pot industry. The working and retired people of MA do not want another frivolous tax!!!

No more tax. If carbon is an issue then every human should get evenly distributed carbon credits to use or to sell on the open market.