A roundup of headlines curated for state transportation environmental professionals

FEDERAL ACTION

Federal Agencies, Including USDOT, Issue Equity Plans – AASHTO Journal

New battery technology key to US electric vehicle push, experts say – The Hill

‘Tangled Web’ of Laws, Regulations Stifles Carbon Capture Push – Bloomberg Law

COVID-19

Letter Renews Call for COVID Funding Flexibility – AASHTO Journal

INFRASTRUCTURE RESILIENCE AND SUSTAINABILITY

How To Equitably Distribute Green Infrastructure – Planetizen

Federal maritime agency OK’s major Port of Long Beach rail facility – Los Angeles Daily News

Why The Future Of Corporate Sustainability Starts With Transportation – Forbes (Commentary)

AIR QUALITY

Can Portland Be a Climate Leader Without Reducing Driving? – New York Times

Texas A&M University develops mobile testing unit to detect air quality after disasters – KBTX-TV

Best Practices: Zero-emissions bus planning – how do we get it right? – Mass Transit

There Aren’t Enough Batteries in the World to Power Our Huge Cars – Vice

Free Public Transit Is Not a Climate Policy – CityLab (Opinion)

FTA Recognizes 10 Transit Agencies for Reducing their Environmental Footprint, Tackling Climate Change – FTA (Media Release)

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE

Evers creates new office of environmental justice – WEAU-TV

NATURAL RESOURCES

Wisconsin Study Supports Use of Liquid Brine – AASHTO Journal

New Mexico DOT begins roadside beautification program – KRQE-TV

DNR reinforces shoreline to improve Wisconsin River Watershed water quality – Wisconsin Rapids City Times

Denver has a new plan to catch up with the rest of the country on recycling and composting – Denverite

CULTURAL RESOURCES

Michigan DOT Plays Key Role in Park Mobility MOU – AASHTO Journal

To Preserve America’s Past, National Park Service Turns to Innovation – Pew

Saskatchewan offers look at design of Treaty boundary signs – CKOM Radio

FEMA Focuses on Environmental Preservation to Fight Climate Change – FEMA (Media release)

HEALTH AND HUMAN ENVIRONMENT/ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION

Seaside Heights, NJ Introduces Ban of Powered Bikes, Scooters on Boardwalk – Lavallette-Seaside Shorebeat

On-demand transit expands across Georgia, putting pitches and criticisms to the test – Saporta Report

Denver will issue residents rebates for e-bike purchases beginning Friday – Bicycle Retailer and Industry News

NPS wants input on plans to make bike, pedestrian lanes on Ohio Drive SW near Hains Point in DC – WJLA-TV

New state in the top spot of our Bicycle Friendly States rankings – League of American Bicyclists (Media release)

TRB RESOURCES/ANNOUNCEMENTS

Understanding the Effects of COVID-19 on Impaired Driving – TRB (Webinar)

Upcoming Clean Water Lectures 2022 – Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation

FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICES

National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Regulations Revisions – Council on Environmental Quality (Final rule)

Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool Beta Version – Council on Environmental Quality (Notice of extension for request for information)

Renewal Package From the State of Utah to the Surface Transportation Project Delivery Program and Proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Assigning Environmental Responsibilities to the State – FHWA (Notice of proposed MOU and request for comments.

Renewal Package From the State of Florida to the Surface Transportation Project Delivery Program and Proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Assigning Environmental Responsibilities to the State – FHWA ( Notice of proposed MOU and request for comments)

Renewal Package From the State of California to the Surface Transportation Project Delivery Program and Proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Assigning Environmental Responsibilities to the State – FHWA (Notice of proposed MOU and request for comments)

Approval of Air Quality Implementation Plans; New Jersey; Removal of Excess Emissions Provision – EPA (Proposed rule)

Noise Exposure Map Notice; Tampa International Airport (TPA), Tampa, Florida – FAA (Notice)

Lithium Battery Air Safety Advisory Committee; Notice of Public Meeting – Pipeline and Hazardous
Materials Safety Administration (Notice of public meeting)