USDOT Repeals Emissions Monitoring Rule

A Biden-era regulation required states to report and plan to reduce transportation-related emissions.

1 minute read

April 23, 2025, 6:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


View of cars in traffic from behind with visible tailpipe emissions

NadyGinzburg / Tailpipe emissions

The U.S Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced its repeal of a rule that required states to “monitor and report transportation-related emissions on interstate highways and other major roads.” The rule also required states to create two- and four-year greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets. 

An announcement from the Federal Highway Administration (FHA) subtitles the announcement “Prevents Radical Environmental Agenda from Tying up Road Construction.” According to Smart Cities Dive’s Dan Zukowski, the rule had been the target of criticism from conservative lawmakers and many transportation industry leaders and officials such as U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who called it a “ridiculous climate requirement.”

Meanwhile, “Steven Higashide, clean transportation program director at the Union of Concerned Scientists, said in an email that it is ‘deeply disappointing to see the US DOT go along with vested interests in the road-building industry.’”

Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Smart Cities Dive

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