With so much funding going to highway construction and expansion, the 2021 law could add 69 million metric tons of carbon to the atmosphere in the next two decades.
An analysis by Transportation for America reveals that the 2021 infrastructure law could ultimately add 69 million metric tons of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere by 2040.
Dan Zukowski describes the study in Smart Cities Dive, writing that according to T4A policy associate, Corrigan Salerno, “Nearly 25% of the [Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act] formula dollars, specifically, states are spending towards highway expansion and another quarter is being spent towards highway resurfacing.”
Critics say highway expansion creates induced demand and contributes to increased carbon emissions. Zukowski notes that the study was released before the Biden administration announced potential changes to emission standards. “The revised rule is expected to look for EVs to account for less than 60% of new vehicles manufactured by 2030, according to sources cited by Reuters.”
Transportation for America Director Beth Osborne said “If the bipartisan infrastructure bill had invested in shifting our transportation spending from ineffective and damaging highway expansions to roadway repair, bridge replacement, public transit, safe streets and more housing close to jobs and opportunities.”
FULL STORY: Infrastructure law may increase transportation’s GHG emissions as states spend more on highways
Report: Some Rural States Ahead of More Urbanized Ones in Reducing Transportation Emissions
This is a largely unintended consequence of states with lower populations and resources focusing on repairing existing roads and infrastructure rather than expanding and building new roads.
Opinion: California Must Walk the Walk on Transportation Emissions
While state leaders tout their climate goals at COP28, residents back home continue to fight highway expansion projects that induce traffic and increase emissions.
Report: 14 States Increased Per-Capita Carbon Emissions
Many of the states on the list are red-leaning states that fought against federal environmental reporting regulations.
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San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule
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Electric Vehicles for All? Study Finds Disparities in Access and Incentives
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City of Albany
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research