WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Federal Highway Administration greenhouse gas rule would force states to spend their highway funds – mean for road and bridge construction – to pay for buses, Amtrak trains and electric vehicle charging stations.

Tell the President and Congress to block this rule that will divert funds earmarked for transportation construction to non-construction purposes, jeopardizing YOUR projects, jobs and state interests.

It takes fewer than 45 seconds to send the pre-written message telling the White House and Congress to block FHWA’s implementation of the rule intended to divert road funding. You can also add your own personal comments about why your state needs these funds to repair roads and bridges.

Thie FHWA greenhouse gas performance measure rule is a one-size-fits-all mandate limiting a state’s ability to choose or invest in transportation construction projects that fit its unique needs.

This rule would require states to reduce transportation emissions. If states don’t, then they would be forced to put road and bridge projects on hold and fund initiatives that achieve emissions reductions – like adding more buses, train cars and EV charging stations.

On Nov. 22, 2023, FHWA released its GHG (Greenhouse Gas) Performance Measure final rule. At that time, the AGC issued an action alert, filed comments with FHWA and supported past congressional efforts to block the rule.

According to the rule, states and metropolitan planning organizations must set declining GHG targets each year for their reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. However, the Biden Administration claimjs that “FHWA is neither requiring any specific targets nor mandating any penalties for failing to achieve these targets.” While there are on explicit penalties set forth in the rule, it does state that “state DOTs and MPOs that set a declining target but fail to achieve their targets can satisfy regulatory requirements by documenting the actions they will take to achieve that target in its next biennial report.”

It goes on to say that states must “provide data-supported explanations for not achieving significant progress, and their plan to achieve said progress in the future.”

So, what does that mean? States will have to explain to the FHWA how they will reduce CO2 emissions – i.e., make climate-friendly project selections at the expense of road and bridge projects.

CLICK HERE.

Contact your member of Congress and President Biden today and make your voice heard.

Jimmy Christianson is vice president of government relations at the Associated General Contractors of America.