U.S. Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE) and Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR) recently sent a letter to Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, expressing their dismay over the indefinite delay on states tracking greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
The Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act was established in 2012. Under the act, states were to measure carbon pollution produced from tailpipe emissions on the National Highway System, the country’s largest GHG source.
The act also required states to measure and set performance targets to control congestion and improve air quality. National GHG goals also were established.
The Department of Transportation has delayed implementation only of the GHG provision and has not permitted public comment. The department’s official notice said the Trump Administration needed more time to review new and pending regulations.
The congressmen demanded an explanation for these actions.
“Removing the requirement for states to develop a mechanism intended merely to quantify levels of carbon pollution would be the regulatory equivalent of burying our heads in the sand,” the letter said.
The congressmen requested Chao provide a written response to their questions no later than today.
Carper is ranking member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee while DeFazio is ranking member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.