Transportation Department’s GHG Measure
In January 2017, the Federal Highway Administration within the Transportation Department published a rule commonly known as the GHG Measure, under the full name “Assessing Performance of the National Highway System, Freight Movement on the Interstate System, and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program.”
The GHG Measure required states, beginning in February 2017, to do the following:
- Track on-road greenhouse gas emissions
- Set locally-appropriate performance targets
- Ensure consistency in data collection
2021-2024
-
July 2022
On July 15, 2022, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) at the Department of Transportation (DOT) issued a notice of proposed rulemaking and requested comments on its proposal to amend its regulations governing national performance management measures to require state departments of transportation and metropolitan planning organizations to establish declining carbon dioxide targets and to establish a method for the measurement and reporting of GHG emissions associated with highway transportation. The proposal would require states to set, track, report, and adhere to targets for emissions reductions from highway transportation that are at least as strong as federal goals.
-
October 2022
On October 13, 2022, California Attorney General Rob Bonta led a coalition of 13 AGs in a letter responding to the FHWA’s notice of proposed rulemaking. The states explained that this requirement would help states produce “consistent and timely” information needed for investment and planning.
-
December 2023
On December 7, 2023, FHA issued its final rule. The rule takes effect January 8, 2024.
2017-2020
The Trump administration has repeatedly attempted to block the rule from coming into force.
-
September 2017
In September 2017, eight attorneys general sued the Trump administration for unlawfully delaying and suspending the effective date of on-road greenhouse gas emissions data requirements. The lawsuit prompted the Transportation Department to immediately reverse course and begin to implement required data collection procedures. The department subsequently published a notice of proposed rulemaking to repeal the GHG Measure.
-
November 2017
Six attorneys general, led by California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, filed comments in November 2017 opposing the proposed repeal.
-
May 2018
In May 2018, the Transportation Department issued a final rule that repealed the GHG Measure.