Sustain Charlotte signs on to request to oppose CRAs to prevent implementation of USDOT greenhouse gas performance measure rule

Last week, Sustain Charlotte signed a national letter calling for members of Congress to oppose the S.J. Resolution 61. This resolution seeks to nullify the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Greenhouse Gas Emission Measure rule which establishes a framework for tracking and reporting on greenhouse gas emissions from the National Highway System. This emissions data must be gathered so that states can make an informed transition to a clean, equitable, and affordable transportation system.

Here’s a copy of the letter:

Dear Member of Congress,

We, the undersigned organizations, write to you in strong opposition to S.J. Res. 61 (Cramer) and H.J. Res. 114 (Crawford), which seek to nullify the US Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) National Performance Management Measures; Assessing Performance of the National Highway System, Greenhouse Gas Emissions Measure rule. This rule establishes a framework for tracking and reporting on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the National Highway System.

The rule, which uses USDOT’s statutory authority to establish performance measures to improve accountability and decision-making on federal highway investments, provides states with a necessary consistent approach to measuring and tracking the GHG impacts of their transportation investments.

State, regional, and local decision-makers can choose from a wide array of investment options when determining how to spend federally allocated infrastructure dollars. Setting targets and tracking emissions give states a baseline to benchmark their progress on climate and can help them direct the flow of dollars toward projects that have proven community benefits, including public transit investments, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, transit-oriented development, and new bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. These investments can make communities safer and more livable.

States and Metropolitan Planning Organizations have the flexibility to set emissions reduction targets that are relevant to their demographic conditions, transportation systems, and policy priorities. Additionally, there are no penalties for not meeting these targets nor will federal funding be withheld if states do not see progress on GHG emissions reductions from the National Highway System. Thanks to the rule, state Departments of Transportation have easy access to the data and tools needed to set targets.

Many states are supportive of the final rule – several have already established their targets and have also expressed their support to DOT in a January letter to the Biden administration. With an unprecedented level of funding flowing towards transportation infrastructure from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and Inflation Reduction Act, transparent data on the impacts of those investments is critical and can help inform states’ transitions to a clean, equitable, and affordable transportation system.

We urge you to vote no on S.J. Res. 61/H.J. Res. 114.

THANKS FOR READING!

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