U.S. Legislative News

FHWA Repeals Rule Requiring States to Track Greenhouse Gas Emissions on Highways

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has repealed a rule requiring states to track certain greenhouse gas emissions and work toward achieving emission-reduction targets on U.S. highways and interstates. The repeal of the greenhouse gas measure was made following a regulatory review. The agency cited the potential duplication of information as it relates to other initiatives measuring CO2 emissions, reasons to question the legal authority behind the rule’s creation, and a cost-benefit analysis as reasons for the rule’s repeal.

The FHWA claims withdrawal of the rule will save $10.9 million and noted that although the mandate has been repealed, states and metropolitan planning organizations are free to adopt their own mandates for measuring greenhouse gases.

White House Delays Announcement on Biofuel Deal

The Trump administration indefinitely delayed an announcement detailing changes to the renewable fuel standard, a program requiring transportation fuel to contain a minimum volume of biofuels. Details haven’t been released on a biofuel deal since May 8 when a tentative agreement was reached to allow ethanol exports to receive renewable identification numbers (RIN) and permit the year-round sale of E15, gas blended with 15 percent ethanol.

The deal is meant to overhaul the current renewable fuel mandate in an effort to lower costs for refiners required to blend biofuels into gasoline, but farmers and producers of ethanol stand in strong opposition. In the latest developments, Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) received assurance from Trump that “he won’t sign a deal that’s bad for farmers.” Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt and Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) are still working to secure a new biofuel deal.

House Encourages Senate to Action on SELF DRIVE Act

H.R. 3388, the SELF DRIVE Act, passed the House with bipartisan support on September 6, 2017. Now the House Energy and Commerce Committee is encouraging the Senate to take action on the legislation. The bill would prevent states from enacting laws regarding the construction, design, and performance of autonomous vehicles; apply safety exemptions and testing standards to autonomous vehicles; require manufacturers to develop written cybersecurity and privacy plans for vehicles prior to selling them; and direct the Department of Transportation to establish safety assessment certifications for developing autonomous vehicle technology.

“Self-driving cars hold the promise of making America’s roads safer, creating new economic opportunities, and helping seniors and those with disabilities live more independently. The SELF DRIVE Act strikes the critical balance of enhancing consumer safety while promoting the continued development of this cutting-edge technology,” said Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Greg Walden and Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection Subcommittee Chairman Bob Latta. “This bipartisan bill paves the way for advanced collision avoidance systems and self-driving cars nationwide and ensures that America stays a global leader in innovation.”

Proponents of the bill say creating a national policy surrounding the development, testing, and deployment of autonomous vehicles creates less uncertainty for investors and developers facing the risks associated with navigating through a patchwork of state laws trying to govern autonomous vehicles. They say the bill will keep the U.S. competitive with European and Asian countries that’ve already enacted similar legislation.

House Bill Includes $100 Million for DERA

The Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program would receive $100 million in funding under the House FY 2019 Interior and Environment appropriations bill passed by the House Appropriations Committee on June 6. If enacted, funding for the program will increase 33 percent over the current year funding level of $75 million.

DERA awards money to agencies and nonprofits that preside over or specialize in transportation and air quality to upgrade or replace diesel fleets with cleaner and more efficient diesel engines.