This bill matters because it fundamentally shifts the priorities for how federal transportation dollars are spent and how future roads and transit systems are designed. If it becomes law, it would embed climate change mitigation and resilience directly into the core mission of U.S. transportation planning, pushing states and localities to prioritize projects that reduce emissions and adapt to climate impacts.
Without this bill, transportation planning would likely continue without a strong, explicit federal directive to reduce vehicle miles traveled and greenhouse gas emissions as primary performance goals. It addresses concerns about climate change by forcing planners to actively work towards lower emissions, and aims to improve daily life by potentially fostering more sustainable, less congested, and healthier communities through increased investment in alternatives to driving and careful consideration of environmental justice.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extracted
PROVISION 01
Adds 'combating climate change' and improving transportation system resilience as a new national goal for public roads performance measures.
This elevates climate change and resilience to a primary objective for all federally-funded road projects, influencing planning and investment decisions nationwide.
PROVISION 02
Requires the Secretary of Transportation to establish minimum standards for states to reduce per capita vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and greenhouse gas emissions, aiming for net-zero emissions.
This directly targets the amount people drive and the pollution from vehicles, setting concrete federal expectations for states to follow.
PROVISION 03
Mandates that Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) analyze the impact of large road capacity expansion projects on VMT, greenhouse gas emissions, and environmental justice communities before approval.
This adds a significant hurdle and transparency requirement for building new highway lanes, potentially shifting focus towards alternatives and protecting vulnerable communities.
PROVISION 04
Before building new capacity for single-occupancy vehicles, MPOs must show the project is more cost-effective than alternatives like public transit or operational improvements, and demonstrate progress on existing road repair.
This provision aims to ensure that new road construction is a last resort after considering other, potentially more sustainable and efficient options, and that existing infrastructure is maintained.
This bill matters because it fundamentally shifts the priorities for how federal transportation dollars are spent and how future roads and transit systems are designed. If it becomes law, it would embed climate change mitigation and resilience directly into the core mission of U.S. transportation planning, pushing states and localities to prioritize projects that reduce emissions and adapt to climate impacts.
Without this bill, transportation planning would likely continue without a strong, explicit federal directive to reduce vehicle miles traveled and greenhouse gas emissions as primary performance goals. It addresses concerns about climate change by forcing planners to actively work towards lower emissions, and aims to improve daily life by potentially fostering more sustainable, less congested, and healthier communities through increased investment in alternatives to driving and careful consideration of environmental justice.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Adds 'combating climate change' and improving transportation system resilience as a new national goal for public roads performance measures.
This elevates climate change and resilience to a primary objective for all federally-funded road projects, influencing planning and investment decisions nationwide.
high
Requires the Secretary of Transportation to establish minimum standards for states to reduce per capita vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and greenhouse gas emissions, aiming for net-zero emissions.
This directly targets the amount people drive and the pollution from vehicles, setting concrete federal expectations for states to follow.
high
Mandates that Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) analyze the impact of large road capacity expansion projects on VMT, greenhouse gas emissions, and environmental justice communities before approval.
This adds a significant hurdle and transparency requirement for building new highway lanes, potentially shifting focus towards alternatives and protecting vulnerable communities.
med
Before building new capacity for single-occupancy vehicles, MPOs must show the project is more cost-effective than alternatives like public transit or operational improvements, and demonstrate progress on existing road repair.
This provision aims to ensure that new road construction is a last resort after considering other, potentially more sustainable and efficient options, and that existing infrastructure is maintained.
Secretary of Transportation to periodically update rulemaking to implement amendments made by the GREEN Streets Act.
Not later than 1 year after each update of the rulemaking
Each State shall set or update their performance targets based on the Secretary's rulemaking.
GLOSSARY
AI-written
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Gases in the atmosphere, like carbon dioxide, that trap heat and contribute to climate change.
Resilience of the transportation system
The ability of roads, bridges, and other transport infrastructure to withstand and recover from disruptions, such as extreme weather events or natural disasters.
Per capita vehicle miles traveled (VMT)
The average number of miles driven by vehicles per person within a specific area, used as a measure of how much people drive.
Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)
A regional organization of local governments responsible for planning and coordinating transportation projects in urban areas that receive federal funding.
Environmental Justice Community
A community with many people of color, low-income residents, or Tribal and Indigenous groups, that experiences or is at risk of experiencing worse health or environmental problems.
State of good repair
A condition in which infrastructure assets, like roads and bridges, are being preserved and operating reliably, with no significant repair needs identified.
Multimodal access
ACTION TIMELINE
3 EVENTS
SEP 19, 25
Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
COMMITTEE
SEP 18, 25
Introduced in House
INTROREFERRAL
SEP 18, 25
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
