WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) today issued the following statement on the Federal Highway Administration’s recently announced proposed rule for states and metropolitan areas to track and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“The urgency of our climate crisis requires us to look carefully at the full range of greenhouse gas emissions sources, including those from transportation. I applaud the Biden administration and the Department of Transportation for taking an important step toward establishing a performance measure for transportation—the leading source of greenhouse gas emissions in our country today. Within the proposed DOT rule, states and metropolitan planning organizations will have the opportunity to set specific targets that are appropriate for their circumstances, but they nevertheless must work toward reducing emissions over time. Equally important, measuring and tracking our emissions from transportation will inform planning and decision-making and help us understand the impacts of our policy and infrastructure choices. I have advocated for DOT to use its authority in this way, and I look forward to continuing to work with the department on this effort and others that are needed to address climate change. I have no doubt that these measures also will strengthen our economic competitiveness.”

Senator Cardin serves as Chair of the Senate Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure. In February 2021, he joined members of the Senate and House of Representatives in urging newly confirmed Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to establish a greenhouse gas performance measure for transportation.

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