A program composed of national framework to track transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions has been finalized by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The implementation is a strategic initiative aiming to tackle climate change challenges across various states.
The new program introduces a novel approach for mitigating environmental impact. According to a news release, the program will allow State Departments of Transportation (DOTs) and Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) with means to tackle climate change.
Offering perspectives from top leadership, the plan has received strong endorsement. "Every state has its own unique climate challenges, and every state ought to have the data, funding, and flexibility it needs to meet those challenges head on," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. "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 $27 billion in federal funding through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda."
Moving forward, this project aligns directly with larger environmental objectives set by current administration. The initiative falls in line with the Biden Administration’s desire to reduce carbon pollution in half by 2030, according to the news release. In order to reach that goal, the FHWA is implementing two crucial steps towards reducing the impacts of climate change.
Details about how these changes will be enacted have been outlined explicitly. The media release reported that the steps include establishing a new greenhouse gas performance management measure added to the existing FHWA national performance measures to aid states in tracking the performance of proposed projects. Moreover, DOTs and MPOs will be able to utilize a flexible system to set their own timetable for lowering greenhouse gas emissions from roadway travel.
In terms of wider implications, these changes aren't just about environmental concerns, but also relate to economic performance. Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt said that reducing emissions will help the economy and that while states have the option to choose, they will aid them in the process.
This program reflects a strong commitment towards climate crisis management on various levels of government. "Transportation is the leading source of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. and reducing emissions from that sector while ensuring our economy works for everyday Americans is critical to addressing the climate crisis," said Bhatt. "We don’t expect state DOTs and MPOs to solve a problem this large."
