California Attorney General Rob Bonta today, leading a coalition of 13 attorneys general, urged the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to finalize its proposal to require state and local planning agencies to collect data on and set targets to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with the federal highway transportation system. The transportation sector accounts for nearly one-third of all GHG emissions in the United States, and 40% of all GHG emissions in California. FHWA’s proposed "GHG Emissions Measure" would provide a consistent set of data to inform highway investment and planning decisions and reduce GHG emissions from the transportation sector.
“Climate change is affecting every region in our state, threatening our infrastructure and devastating our communities,” said Attorney General Bonta. “The time to act is now. I'm proud to lead a coalition of 13 attorneys general in support of the Federal Highway Administration's effort to collect data on and reduce GHG emissions associated with the federal highway system. It's going to take all of us, working together, to tackle climate change and save our planet.”
FHWA's proposed GHG Emissions Measure is a recognition that climate change brought about by GHG emissions has and will continue to cause and exacerbate extreme weather events such as hurricanes, wildfires, extreme heat, and extreme drought that threaten the reliability, safety, and efficiency of the transportation system. The total annual costs of climate-related damage to paved roads in the U.S. is expected to approach $20 billion in 2090, and the cost to the U.S. economy more broadly is many times that.
If finalized, the GHG Emissions Measure would allow FHWA to collect consistent, comprehensive data on GHG emissions from the national highway system; evaluate that data in relation to the GHG emissions reduction targets set by state and local agencies; and provide increased transparency with respect to transportation planning and investment decisions.
In letter, the California-led coalition expresses its strong support for the GHG Emissions Measure, highlighting that the measure is consistent with FHWA’s legal authority under the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act and Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act.
Original source can be found here.