Posts – Page 43 – Environmental Technical Assistance Program Newsletter

California Governor Proposes Zero Emission Vehicle Package

Governor Gavin Newsom (D) (seen above) has introduced a $6.1 billion zero-emission vehicle or ZEV fiscal support package to accelerate the state’s transition to ZEVs and “fight climate change” in the process.

[Above photo by the California Governor’s Office]

Combined with a $3.9 billion ZEV investment package signed into law in September 2021, California would ultimately outlay $10 billion to support broader ZEV deployment statewide.

That spending also dovetails the governor’s executive order issued in September 2020 requiring that all new cars and passenger trucks sold in California by 2035 must be zero-emission vehicles.

“The future is electric, and we’re making it easier and cheaper than ever before to go electric. That means more assistance to help folks buy clean cars and more charging stations in more communities throughout the state,” said Gov. Newsom in a statement.

This latest funding proposal would also support the construction of vehicle charging stations and other infrastructure needed to “facilitate” the state’s transition to ZEVs.

The governor’s $6.1 billion package includes:

Low-Income Zero-Emission Vehicles and Infrastructure: $256 million for low-income consumer purchases, and $900 million to expand affordable and convenient ZEV infrastructure access in low-income neighborhoods. These investments will focus on planning and deploying a range of charging options to support communities, including grid-friendly high-power fast chargers and at-home charging.
Heavy-Duty Zero-Emission Vehicles and Supporting Infrastructure: $935 million for the purchase of 1,000 zero-emission short-haul drayage trucks and 1,700 zero-emission transit buses. Another $1.5 billion would support the purchase of electric buses for school transportation programs. A further $1.1 billion would help buy zero-emission trucks, buses, and off-road equipment plus related fueling infrastructure, with $400 million to enable port electrification.
Zero-Emission Mobility: $419 million to support sustainable community-based transportation equity projects that increase access to zero-emission mobility in low-income communities. This includes supporting local clean mobility options plus sustainable transportation and equity projects.
Emerging Opportunities: $200 million to invest in demonstration and pilot projects in high carbon-emitting sectors, such as maritime, aviation, rail and other off-road applications, as well as support for vehicle grid integration at scale.

Environmental News Highlights – January 26, 2022

Maryland Works to Reduce Road Salt’s Environmental Impact

In conjunction with several state agencies, including the Maryland Department of Transportation, the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) is spearheading an effort to reduce the amount of salts entering rivers, streams, and groundwater while also ensuring roads remain safe for winter travel.

[Above photo by the Maryland DOT]

MDE has been working for several years with state agencies and local jurisdictions on new salt application strategies, including use of improved weather forecasting, using the right amount of salt, targeting roads in most need of treatment, using brine to reduce overall salt usage, and increasing training for employees and contracted equipment operators.

The agency noted that Maryland DOT’s State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) has used those and other strategies over the past five years to reduce its overall salt usage up to 50 percent.

MDOT SHA has moved to use salt brine – a liquid solution that is 22 percent salt and 78 percent water – before, during, and after winter weather events. Pre-treating roads with salt brine prevents the initial bonding of snow or ice, thus giving road crews time to mobilize. The agency now has two “tow plows” – separate plows towed behind a salt/plow truck to clear an additional travel lane – which enhance snow-clearing operations and reduce the need for road salting.

MDOT SHA has also designated salt brine-only routes for the duration of winter storms, resulting in less overall salt use when compared to routes where only rock salt is used. The agency pre-wets rock salt with salt brine to reduce the “bounce and scatter” effect of salt solids ricocheting off the highway.

MDOT SHA also works with weather forecasters to develop a treatment plan and employs more than 100 mobile infrared sensors at key locations, along with mobile sensors, to determine conditions and target its storm deployment – greatly contributing to salt reduction efforts.
“[We] congratulate and thank the Maryland Department of Transportation for leading by example when it comes to reducing the use of road salts that can threaten public health and our environment,” said Ben Grumbles, Maryland’s secretary of the environment, in a statement.

While sodium chloride or salt is effective, relatively inexpensive, readily available, and easily stored, it can destroy a soil’s structure and cause erosion, damage, and kill vegetation, while contributing to the corrosion of metal bridges and motor vehicles, MDE said. It can also seep into groundwater and runoff into surface waters, contaminating wildlife habitats and potentially affecting drinking water.

The agency noted it has increased monitoring for sodium chloride in the environment to gain information to help develop restoration plans. However, MDE noted that once salt has entered the environment there is no effective way to remove it. Thus, the best solution is a widespread, decreased use of road salt, it noted.

Colorado DOT Debuts Archeology TV Documentary

The Colorado Department of Transportation recently debuted a documentary called “Durango 550 – Path of the Ancestral Puebloans” to show how the agency worked with archaeologists and regional Native American tribes to document, study, and ultimately share the discoveries unearthed near Durango in southwest Colorado.

[Above photo by the Colorado DOT]

The archaeological excavation took place in 2018 and 2019 ahead of construction on the US 550-US 160 Connection South project in 2020.

“This documentary shows the unique collaboration of all entities involved, laying the groundwork for a new approach to archaeology, blending western science with traditional cultural beliefs,” explained Greg Wolff, a Colorado DOT archaeologist, in a statement. “Tribal members frequently visited the project area during the excavations. Tribal elders contributed traditional knowledge, experience, and spiritual guidance to the archaeologists and other project staff members.”

The documentary features several tribal representatives involved in the project and other tribal members who worked and trained as paid interns, participating in both the excavations and educational outreach. The documentary also touched upon tribal youth groups involved with the excavation.

The 30-minute documentary – created by the Grit and Thistle Film Company – aired on the Rocky Mountain PBS station on January 16 and will air again on March 17. It is also available for viewing on the television station’s website and mobile app.

Center for Environmental Excellence Updating PAL Database

The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials Center for Environmental Excellence (CEE) is looking for state assistance in updating the contents of its Programmatic Agreement Library (PAL database).

The PAL database functions as a “central library” or “one-stop-shop” for programmatic agreements between state departments of transportation and/or the Federal Highway Administration in partnership with resource agencies that help streamline compliance with federal environmental laws such as the National Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the National Historic Preservation Act.

The PAL contains not only the programmatic agreement information; but links to each full agreement and ongoing access for practitioners to research agreements that meet specific requirements.

However, most of the agreements within the database are 10 years old, so the CEE asks states to review their documents within the PAL to see if they are still valid, need to be updated, or removed entirely.

State agencies willing to help review PAL documents can reach out to jbillo@aashto.org for more information.

Environmental News Highlights – January 19, 2022

FEDERAL ACTION

Biden Spending Bill Ignites Debate Over Dairy Methane Pollution – U.S. News and World Report

DOE Launches New Initiative From President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law To Modernize National Grid – US Department of Energy (Media release)

COVID-19

2021 ferry ridership nears 75% of pre-pandemic levels – Washington State DOT

Omicron disrupts transit, emergency services as workers call out sick: ‘Most people are going to get Covid’ – CNBC

INFRASTRUCTURE RESILIENCE AND SUSTAINABILITY

Northwest Progressive Institute’s Polling Shows Washingtonians Want State’s Next Transportation Package To Be Safety And Climate Focused, Not Car-Centric – Cascadia Advocate

Cities Want Ebikes to Stay in Their Lane – but Which One? – Wired

How U.S. Infrastructure Plans Shrank in Ambition – CityLab (Commentary)

AIR QUALITY

U.S. emissions surged in 2021, putting the nation further off track from its climate targets – Washington Post

EPA to review general aviation lead emissions risks – Reuters

This startup pays Bay Area residents to monitor their air quality – in crypto – SFGATE

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE

TRB Panel Examines Ways to Create Equity in Transportation – AASHTO Journal

A California City Is Taking Electric Transit Into Its Own Hands – Jalopnik

Vt. lawmakers look to create statewide environmental justice policy – WCAX-TV

NATURAL RESOURCES

How Does a Cougar Cross a Washington Freeway? Their Future May Depend on the Answer – U.S. News and World Report

World’s Largest Wildlife Crossing Is Finally Underway in Los Angeles – Curbed

CULTURAL RESOURCES

As St. Louis’ historic buildings crumble, city eyes little-used powers some say can help save them – St. Louis Post-Dispatch

New Colorado DOT Documentary Depicts New Era Of Archeology – Estes Park Trail Gazette

HEALTH AND HUMAN ENVIRONMENT/ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION

Old Florida Keys bridge reopening to pedestrians, bicyclists – AP

Miami Beach’s Ocean Drive Revs Up for a Car Comeback – Bloomberg CityLab

E-Scooters Set to Return to Chicago’s Streets, But They’ll Be Banned from 606 Trail – WTTW-TV

TRB RESOURCES/ANNOUNCEMENTS

TRB 2022 Annual Meeting – Keynote USDOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg – TRB (Video)

FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICES

Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program To Allow Persons Ages 18, 19, and 20 To Operate Commercial Motor Vehicles in Interstate Commerce – Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (Notice and establishment of pilot program)

Notice To Reestablish the Transit Advisory Committee for Safety Charter – FTA (Notice)

Notice of Designation of the Connecticut National Estuarine Research Reserve – NOAA (Notice)

Atlantic Wind Lease Sale 8 (ATLW-8) for Commercial Leasing for Wind Power on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) in the New York (NY) Bight – Final Sale Notice (FSN) – Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (Notice)

Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Fee – Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (Interim final rule, request for comments)

Michigan DOT Using Carbon Fiber in Bridge Construction

To reduce the cost of corrosion and long-term maintenance expenses, the Michigan Department of Transportation is broadening its use of carbon fiber structural material on bridges statewide.

[Above photo by the Michigan DOT]

“Rusting of steel elements is the leading cause of deterioration in our bridges. Since carbon fiber is non-corrosive, we are eliminating that potential for damage,” explained Matt Chynoweth, Michigan DOT’s chief bridge engineer, in a statement. “Using a material that will not corrode is a real game-changer.”

Paul Ajegba, Michigan DOT’s director, added that one of the ultimate goals in expanding the use of carbon fiber is to build bridges that last a century with minimal maintenance.

He noted that Michigan DOT has been collaborating with Lawrence Technological University or LTU in Southfield, MI, on the use of carbon fiber reinforced polymer materials in concrete bridge beams since 2001 – research now moving from the lab into the field. For example, Michigan DOT is currently building two bridges with carbon fiber reinforced beams as part of its massive I-94 modernization project in Detroit.

[Editor’s note: The Federal Highway Administration launched a new $27 billion Bridge Formula Program on January 14 – a program funded by the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act signed into law in November 2021. FHWA projects this new national program will repair approximately 15,000 highway bridges. In addition to providing funds to states to replace, rehabilitate, preserve, protect, and construct highway bridges, the Bridge Formula Program also offers funding for “off-system” bridges as well – generally referring to locally-owned bridges not located on the federal highway system.]

Michigan DOT’s joint research with LTU included subjecting carbon fiber reinforced beams to 300 freeze-thaw cycles, combined fire/loading events, severe weather, and other trials. Now, that joint research team believes they have the information and specifications they need to predict how carbon fiber reinforced beams will perform under a variety of real-world conditions, as well as design tools for future bridge projects.

The agency also noted that the Research Advisory Committee of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials named its joint carbon fiber work with LTU as one of the top 16 research projects of 2020 – work that also led to the development of new MDOT and AASHTO design specifications.

The agency said steel is prone to corrosion and deterioration under assault from extreme temperatures, water, and deicing chemicals – conditions all too common in Michigan. Thus, preventing corrosion and repairing damaged areas requires time and money and can limit the lifespan of bridges, Michigan DOT said. By contrast, carbon fiber strands have a tensile strength comparable to steel yet resist corrosion and require less maintenance over time.

However, a factor limiting the deployment of carbon fiber bridge beams is price, as carbon fiber elements can cost as much as three to four times more than comparable steel elements. However, based on Michigan DOT and LTU’s joint research, as carbon fiber reinforced beams should last much longer than steel, they may prove to be cheaper over the long run.

“We’ve calculated the ‘break-even point’ to be about 22 years based on life cycle maintenance,” explained Michigan DOT’s Chynoweth. “But since the data points only go back about 20 years, this is a theoretical estimate.”

AASHTO Highlights Key Challenges of EV Charger Plan

While the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials supports President Biden’s “ambitious goal” of building a new national network of 500,000 electric vehicle or EV chargers by 2030, the organization cautions that “many challenges must be overcome, both technical and logistical, in order to make this goal a reality.”

[Above photo by the Colorado DOT]

The establishment of such a network is a key part of the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act or IIJA signed into law in November 2021, which sets aside $5 billion in formula funding specifically to support EV charging infrastructure projects.

In a letter sent to the U.S. Department of Transportation on January 7, AASHTO said some of the major challenges facing this administration’s EV charging push is overall national electrical grid capacity as well as the grid’s proximity to potential charging stations, especially in rural and underserved areas.

Industrial capacity to meet the sudden increase in demand for EV supply equipment, along with the need to coordinate – on a “huge scale” – with business models and supply chain of “non-traditional” transportation sector stakeholders, are also big concerns, AASHTO said.

Yet one of the biggest short-term challenges facing Biden’s EV effort – with the “greatest potential” to affect the initial deployment of chargers around the country – is the “reasonable and appropriate” application of Buy America requirements to the EV infrastructure industry, the organization emphasized.

AASHTO strongly recommended in its letter a “staged” or incremental approach to the application of Buy America requirements as they relate to EV supply equipment during the initial implementation period of the IIJA in order to facilitate efficient and effective deployment in the first few years.

“A reasonable, practical, step-wise approach will ensure progress in deploying EV infrastructure while coaxing the industry along to full compliance within a defined period of time,” the organization said. “State DOTs are concerned that the approach taken to Buy America has the potential to upset implementation and increase market volatility.”

In addition, EV infrastructure providers need “widespread education” on federal transportation regulations in general, in addition to the Buy America requirements with which they must now comply. “Many of the subcontractors receiving funds for EV infrastructure will be nontraditional, non-transportation-related private-sector entities that are not familiar with and, in many cases, unable to accommodate the myriad federal-aid requirements attached to the IIJA funding,” AASHTO warned.

The organization pointed out that eliminating the interpretation of Buy America at the state DOT/Federal Highway Administration Division Office level by making compliance determinations at the national level and disseminating this information to the states would be the “preferred solution” to this issue.

“The development by USDOT of a national, pre-approved list of EV equipment vendors that are certified Buy America would ensure that the same review and certification processes do not need to be replicated in each individual state, and would also ensure consistent implementation across the country,” AASHTO added.

Environmental News Highlights – January 12, 2022

FEDERAL ACTION

Top White House environmental justice official to depart post – CNN

Five Parts of the Infrastructure Bill You Might Have Missed – Government Technology

US AGs Call for ‘Prompt Suspension’ of LNG Transport by Rail Rules – Natural Gas Intelligence

Amtrak struggles to recover from winter weather challenges – Trains

As spending bill stalls, Biden climate goals remain elusive – Washington Post

COVID-19

What the Pandemic’s ‘Open Streets’ Really Revealed – Bloomberg CityLab

Transit agencies concerned about impact of Omicron variant – RT&S

Gallup: U.S. air travel still down as working adults curtail trips – UPI

NEPA

Lake Restoration Solutions begins NEPA assessment process – Daily Herald

Attorney General Bonta Asks Ninth Circuit to Review Ruling in Litigation Challenging San Bernardino Warehouse Project – California Attorney General (Media Release)

INFRASTRUCTURE RESILIENCE AND SUSTAINABILITY

After I-95 fiasco, a ‘road weather’ expert digs into snow, ice and jackknifed trucks – Washington Post

Lessons from Washington Metro, America’s Last Great Subway System – Governing

Why Infrastructure is First Step in Electric Vehicle Transition – Trucks.com

In frozen ports on Lake Superior, it’s up to tug operators to keep shipping channels open – Park Rapids Enterprise

Waze adds EV charging station locations to its driving map – Mashable

Kansas City Airport installs wireless electric bus charging system – Future Travel Experience

AIR QUALITY

With executive order, governor targets transportation for next NC emissions cuts – News & Observer

How Six States Could Transform the U.S. Trucking Industry – CityLab

GM recognizes California’s authority to set vehicle emissions rules – Reuters

Pollution in the West: ‘You could travel a hundred miles and not find air quality that is any better’ -Deseret News

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE

Public Transit Systems Refocus on Their Core Riders – Wired

Maine grants to improve senior transportation in rural areas – AP

Public Transit Systems Refocus on Their Core Riders – Wired

Oakland Gives $150 Prepaid Cards for Use on Transit, Bike, Scooter Programs – Bay City News

NATURAL RESOURCES

Florida has lost 44% of its wetlands since 1845. What is the environmental impact? – Northwest Florida Daily News

HEALTH AND HUMAN ENVIRONMENT/ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION

Europe to put bicycles front and center in mobility plans – Momentum

What happened to the 1,300 Lime bikes that vanished from South Bend? – South Bend Tribune

Transit, cycling and pedestrian improvements begin as part of BC’s Highway 99 Tunnel Program – Mass Transit

Houston bike share hopes to expand transportation options in underserved communities – KUHF Radio

How e-mobility is driving a foundational shift in transportation – Intelligent Transport

Electric bicycles, scooters, hoverboards banned from St. Pete Beach – St. Pete Catalyst

Ozarks Transportation Organization seeks input on sidewalks & on-street bicycle and pedestrian lanes – KYTV-TV

TRB RESOURCES/ANNOUNCEMENTS

TRB Annual Meeting And The Sustainability and Emerging Transportation Technology Conference Conference Preview – AASHTO’s ETAP Podcast

Transportation in an Aging Society – The Future is Now – TRB (Webinar)

How universities and the Transportation Research Board find solutions together through science and innovation – Thinking Transportation (Podcast)

FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICES

Regional Infrastructure Accelerator Demonstration Program – Build America Bureau, USDOT (Notice of funding opportunity)

Ozark National Scenic Riverways; Motorized Vessels – National Park Service (Proposed rule)

Membership in the National Parks Overflights Advisory Group – FAA (Solicitation of applications)

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Public Comment on the Annotated Outline of the Fifth National Climate Assessment – NOAA (Notice of request for public comment)

Two Governors Unveil ‘Clean Transportation’ Executive Orders

The governors of North Carolina and Connecticut recently issued executive orders that mandate the formation of “clean transportation” plans to reduce greenhouse gas or GHG emissions in their respective states.

[Above photo by the NCDOT]

Governor Roy Cooper (D) issued an executive order on January 7 that includes a directive to the North Carolina Department of Transportation to develop a North Carolina Clean Transportation Plan for decarbonizing the transportation sector through reductions in vehicle miles traveled, an increase in zero-emission cars, trucks, and buses, along with other GHG-reduction strategies.

“Transforming North Carolina toward a clean energy and more equitable economy will provide good jobs and a healthy environment for generations of families across our state,” Gov. Cooper said in a statement. “This order will assess our progress reducing climate pollution, and direct ways to curb environmental injustices, increase clean transportation options, and build more resilient communities in North Carolina.”

The governor’s order updates North Carolina’s economy-wide carbon reduction emissions goals to “align with climate science, reduce pollution, create good jobs and protect communities,” while increasing the statewide GHG reduction goal to 50 percent when compared to the state’s 2005 levels.

The order calls for the increase in registered zero-emission vehicles to a total of 1.25 million by 2030, with 50 percent of sales of new vehicles in North Carolina to be zero-emission by that same year.

“This executive order ensures our state is preparing for and supporting emerging technologies,” added J. Eric Boyette, NCDOT’s secretary. “We are committed to working with our state and local partners to develop a clean transportation plan – one that will benefit all North Carolinians.”

Gov. Cooper’s order mirrors a similar one issued by Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont (D) in December 2021.

Gov. Lamont’s order directs Connecticut executive branch state agencies to take “significant actions” within their authority to reduce carbon emissions.

“Climate change is here, and it’s only going to get worse if we don’t take meaningful action,” he said in a statement. “In September [2021], a bad progress report showed that we’re in danger of missing our statutory greenhouse gas reduction goals, so we need to roll up our sleeves and do the necessary work to improve. That work starts with us in the executive branch, and that’s why I’m directing our state agencies to take these actions.”

That “progress report” – officially known as Connecticut’s Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report – shows that GHG emissions from the state’s transportation and building sectors are increasing, meaning that Connecticut is not on track to meet its interim 2030 target.

*Gov. Lamont by the Connecticut Governor’s Office*

Gov. Lamont said the state must take “aggressive action” where possible within existing authority to reduce carbon emissions, and that is why he is directing a whole-of-government approach with his executive order and calling on the Connecticut General Assembly to authorize expanded investment and de-carbonization programs.

Transportation measures within the governor’s order include the creation of a statewide battery-powered electric bus fleet; the funding of “shovel-ready” infrastructure resilience projects; plus regulating emissions from medium and heavy-duty vehicles.

It also directs the Connecticut Department of Transportation to cease buying directly or provide state funding to third parties for the purchase of diesel buses by the end of 2023 and create an implementation plan for full bus fleet electrification by 2035. It also directs the Connecticut DOT to set a statewide 2030 Vehicle Miles Traveled or VMT reduction target.

“Transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Connecticut, and the Connecticut Department of Transportation can be the biggest driver to reduce air pollutants,” noted Joseph Giulietti, commissioner of the Connecticut DOT.

“Connecticut families and communities, especially the ones most vulnerable and historically underserved, deserve clean transportation,” he added. “The [Connecticut] DOT will do our part, while listening to and working with our partners in health, and equity and environmental justice, to ensure our efforts have a positive impact on all people.”