Friday, November 24, 2023

Fed's greenhous gas reduction tool

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced Nov. 22 a finalized performance measure to provide state DOTs and Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) a national framework to track transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions, along with the flexibility to set their own targets for reduction.

In support of the government's approach to cutting carbon pollution 50% by 2030, FHWA is taking two steps toward addressing the impacts of climate change: (1) Adding a new greenhouse gas performance management tool to existing FHWA measures to establish a national framework to help states track performance and make more informed investment decisions; (2) Creating a flexible system under which state DOTs and MPOs will set their own targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from roadway travel. 

"This new performance measure will provide states with a clear and consistent framework to track carbon pollution and the flexibility to set their own climate targets - which we will also help them meet with more than $27B in federal funding through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Buttigieg.

Transportation is the leading source of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S.

“We don’t expect state DOTs and MPOs to solve a problem this large on their own," said Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt, "which is why this performance measure does not impose penalties for those who miss their targets.”

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) includes more than $27B in funding across various programs that federal agencies are using to support carbon pollution reduction projects. (US Department of Transportation 11/22/23) Biden-Harris Administration Finalizes Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Tool, Moves Climate Change Performance Measure Forward | US Department of Transportation

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