Today, the U.S. Department of Transportation released a proposed rule that will help achieve President Biden’s climate goals. The rule would require states and Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) to measure greenhouse gas emissions from on-road transportation and set meaningful emissions reduction targets. Transportation is the largest source of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, and a major source of pollution that harms human health and disproportionately impacts communities of color. Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding is available to help states and MPOs meet their goals.

After the announcement, Earthjustice Senior Research and Policy Analyst Gavriella Keyles issued the following statement:

“This proposed rule is an important step forward in tackling dangerous carbon emissions and air pollution from on-road vehicles. Good data informs good policy, and as we race to cut global greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030, we can’t afford to ignore the transportation sector’s impacts any longer. This rule will help decision-makers across the country understand how transportation investments reduce climate-warming emissions, or worsen them. We encourage states to set ambitious, meaningful emissions reduction targets and wisely utilize Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding to transition us to a cleaner transportation future. The work doesn’t end here, and Congress must urgently pass a reconciliation package that includes more climate and environmental justice investments to help us respond to our climate emergency.”