Environmental Technical Assistance Program Newsletter

The Oregon Department of Transportation recently unveiled a website that tracks how the state’s public agencies are collectively reducing greenhouse gas or GHG emissions across Oregon. [Above photo by the Oregon DOT] The Oregon Transportation Emission website pulls together regulations, programs, funding, goals, and partnerships into one place, then rates ...
Read More

The Colorado Department of Transportation recently issued $617,400 in grants to support 12 local mobility programs across the state – helping cities and towns reduce traffic congestion while offering residents travel choices beyond driving in a car alone. [Above photo by the Colorado DOT] Those grants, issued by the Colorado ...
Read More

A roundup of headlines curated for state transportation environmental professionals

FEDERAL ACTION

FHWA Activates Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Program – AASHTO Journal What is in House Republicans’ energy policy package? – The Hill Activists Slam Biden Administration for Reversing Climate and Equity Guidance on Highway Expansions – Inside Climate News USDOT Opens Applications for First Round of $2.5 Billion Program to Build EV Charging in Communities and Neighborhoods Nationwide – FHWA (media release)

INFRASTRUCTURE RESILIENCE AND SUSTAINABILITY

Navigating toward clean transportation and lower environmental impacts – Maine Monitor Moore recommits Maryland to highest national climate goals for electric vehicle sales – Maryland Matters The booming American Sunbelt may be a victim of its own success as soaring traffic congestion jeopardizes economic growth – Fortune Generation EV | Getting Warmer With Kal Penn Episode 7 – Bloomberg (video) New fire risks as a result of electric and hybrid buses – Mass Transit (opinion)

AIR QUALITY

Ports of LA, Long Beach Join Bid to Be Hydrogen Fuel Hub – Los Angeles Daily News Bill aims to create clean transportation standard in Minnesota – Biodiesel Magazine This Tractor Runs on Cow Manure – Bloomberg Green Scaling carbon removal requires a portfolio approach – The Hill (opinion)

NATURAL RESOURCES

Researchers urge policymakers to build pedestrian greenspaces – Virginia Public Media E-bikes raise management concerns in some parks, public forests – Bay Journal Researchers To Explore Wildfires, Drinking Water Quality – Texas A&M MoDOT Seeks Volunteers for No MOre Trash Bash – Missouri DOT Weathering Lake Tahoe’s Storms – Tahoe Daily Tribune (opinion)

CULTURAL RESOURCES

Car-Free Living Takes Off in Car-Centric Cities – Hyperdrive The ‘Green Amendment’ is well-intended – but that’s not enough – Nevada Independent (opinion)

HEALTH AND HUMAN ENVIRONMENT/ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION

Oklahoma DOT Putting Active Transportation Plan Together – AASHTO Journal Plazas, two-way bike lane on tap as NYC public space push begins – WPIX-TV Chicago City Council approves using cameras to catch drivers who block bike and bus lanes downtown – WBBM-TV ATX Walk Bike Roll plan presented to boards and commissions – Austin Monitor TxDOT launches safety campaign after increase in pedestrian, bicycle crashes – KVEO-TV

TRB RESOURCES/ANNOUNCEMENTS

TRB Webinar: The Jury is Still Out – The Latest on Recycled Plastic Waste in Asphalt – TRB Getting Safely to the Other Side: Decision Support for Wildlife Crossing Programs – TR News (link to PDF) Rutgers CAIT Partners with NJ TRANSIT and International Association on North American Regional Training Center – Rutgers University Door to Door: Microtransit in the Twin Cities – Move Minneapolis (link to webinar registration)

FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICES

Notice of Final Federal Agency Actions on Proposed Rail Transportation Projects – FRA (Notice) Approval of John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) Noise Compatibility Program – FAA (Notice) Roundtable on Environmental Justice and Equity in Infrastructure Permitting; Second Supplemental Notice of Roundtable – Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Notice) Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests; Idaho; Clearwater National Forest Travel Planning – Forest Service (Notice of intent to prepare a supplemental environmental impact statement) California State Nonroad Engine Pollution Control Standards; Ocean- Going Vessels At-Berth and Commercial Harbor Craft; Requests for Authorization; Opportunity for Public Hearing and Comment – EPA (Notice) Release of Draft Policy Assessment for the Reconsideration of the Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards – EPA (Notice of availability) White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council; Notice of Charter Renewal – EPA (Notice) Request for Nominations to the Good Neighbor Environmental Board – EPA (Notice) Lands Chief, National Trails Land Resources Program Office; Delegation of Authority – National Park Service (Notice) Notice To Reopen the Advisory Council for Climate Adaptation Science Call for Nominations – U.S. Geological Survey (Notice) Notice of Availability of the Record of Decision for the Whitewater River Groundwater Replenishment Facility, Riverside County, CA – Bureau of Land Management (Notice) Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Tampa Harbor Navigation Improvement Study, Hillsborough County, Florida – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Notice) Regulated Navigation Area; Tampa Bay, Tampa, FL – Coast Guard (Notice of proposed rulemaking)