New infrastructure program targets carbon emissions reduction

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) launched a program that unlocks $6.4 billion in formula funding for states and localities over five years.

According to FHWA, its new Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) was created under the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act and will help states develop carbon-reduction strategies.

“As the sector generating the most carbon emissions in the U.S. economy, transportation must play a leading role in solving the climate crisis,” says Pete Buttigieg, U.S. transportation secretary. “The Carbon Reduction Program will help reduce pollution from transportation and move us closer to the president’s ambitious goal of cutting emissions in half by 2030.”

FHWA says the Carbon Reduction Program will fund a range of projects designed to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from on-road highway. Under the CRP, states must develop carbon-reduction strategies in consultation with metropolitan planning organizations to identify projects and strategies tailored to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in their states, although FHWA says states and localities can use the CRP funds even before plans are developed and reviewed.

“This new program provides states and local agencies in both urban and rural areas the flexibility and funding needed to reduce emissions and build a more sustainable transportation network that will benefit all travelers,” says Stephanie Pollack, deputy federal highway administrator. “The bipartisan infrastructure law makes transformative investments in our nation’s transportation infrastructure, and this is one of the key programs that will help address the climate crisis.”

According to FHWA, eligible projects include on- and off-road trail facilities for pedestrians, bicyclists and other nonmotorized forms of transportation and projects that support the deployment of alternative fuel vehicles. These types of projects, which are determined at the state and local level but could be supported with federal funding, include zero-emission vehicles and facilities, projects that support congestion pricing and travel demand strategies; truck stop and port electrification systems to reduce the environmental impacts of freight movement and carbon dioxide emissions at port facilities; and public transportation projects such as the construction of bus rapid transit corridors or dedicated bus lanes. Micromobility and electric bike projects, including charging infrastructure, may also be eligible.