The Federal Highway Administration recently delayed the implementation of an Obama Administration proposal intended to track greenhouse gas emissions.
The proposal was part of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) bill. Its intent was to measure emissions so the government could understand how emissions are generated and how the emissions should affect investments and policies.
“Focus on the goals enumerated in the law,” the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) said. “The authors of MAP-21 had the opportunity to include a host of external goals such as livability, reduction of transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions, reduction of reliance on foreign oil, adaptation to the effects of climate change, public health, housing, land-use patterns and air quality in the planning and performance process….the U.S. Department of Transportation should focus on implementing the goals and standards as spelled out in MAP-21.”
ARTBA has opposed the bill since last August when it said that emission measurements were not in the MAP-21 performance management process.
Suspending implementation will stop unnecessary project delays and will save tax dollars.
Last year, vehicle emissions were greater than electric plant emissions for the first time since 1979.