Environmental News Highlights – March 6, 2024

Notice of President’s National Infrastructure Advisory Council Meeting -Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) (Notice; request for comments)

Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail Advisory Council -Forest Service (Notice of meeting)

Cape Cod National Seashore Advisory Commission Notice of Public Meeting -National Park Service (Meeting notice)

Adoption of Categorical Exclusions Under the National Environmental Policy Act –Northern Border Regional Commission (Notice)

Notice of Availability of a Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for Expected Wind Energy Development in the New York Bight; Extension of Comment Period -Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (Notice)

Notice of Availability of a Final Environmental Impact Statement for Park City Wind LLC’s Proposed New England Wind Farm Offshore Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New York -Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (Notice)

FHWA Offering $250M in Congestion Reduction Grants

The Federal Highway Administration recently made $250 million available, over five years, in competitive grants to support multimodal solutions that reduce vehicular traffic and air pollution in heavily congested metropolitan areas across the United States.

[Above photo by Ohio DOT]

The FHWA said its new Congestion Relief Program – created by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) – is now accepting applications for the first round of grants via a notice of funding opportunity, which provides $150 million in grants for fiscal years 2022, 2023, and 2024. The agency stated that these grants are available to states, metropolitan planning organizations, cities, and municipalities for projects within urban areas with a population of at least one million.

[Editor’s note: The Ohio Department of Transportation recently unveiled new system designed to detect traffic congestion and subsequently warn motorists of dangerous “slow-downs” at 13 highway sites in and around major urban centers across Ohio identified by the agency as “high-congestion, high-crash” areas.]

FHWA added that its new Congestion Relief Program provides grants to projects that reduce highway congestion and the economic and environmental costs associated with congestion, including pollution from transportation emissions. The agency noted that the program also optimizes existing highway capacity and transit systems, improves coordination with transit, and encourages other modes of travel.

According to FHWA, eligible projects include the deployment and operation of integrated congestion management systems, certain transit and mobility services, and incentive programs encouraging travelers to carpool, use transit, or travel during nonpeak periods. The agency added that it will “give priority” to projects that advance multimodal solutions for heavy traffic volumes in urban areas experiencing a high degree of recurrent congestion.

[Editor’s note: The Colorado Department of Transportation launched a new Bus Rapid Transit or BRT program for the Denver region in November 2023 designed in part to reduced congestion-related travel delays for bus riders. The agency said that BRT is a high frequency service designed to be “more reliable, convenient, and accessible” than traditional bus service; reducing delay points that can typically slow regular bus service, such as making long stops or getting stuck in traffic at intersections.]

“Traffic congestion without multimodal options is a major problem throughout America, especially in large metro areas, significantly limiting mobility and reducing clean air quality in our cities – while diminishing productivity nationwide because of higher costs when people and goods are delayed in traffic,” said FHWA Administrator Shailen Bhatt in a statement.

“With this program, we’re aiming to tackle congestion and provide a higher standard of living and greater multimodal options and working for the people in populated areas,” he noted.

Kentucky Breaks Ground on Fast EV Charger Facility

Governor Andy Beshear (D) and Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt, along with several state and local officials, recently gathered at the Circle K convenience store and filling station in Richmond, KY, to break ground on the first electric vehicle (EV) fast charging station in the southeastern United States built with funds from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program.

[Above photo by KYTC]

Developers of privately-owned fast charging stations, mandated to remain open to the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week, are obligated to finance a minimum of 20 percent of the construction and operational costs for the initial five years, while NEVI funding will cover the remaining expenses. At the event, the governor noted that his administration is also seeking proposals to install up to 16 additional stations along interstates and parkways statewide using NEVI funding – all part of Kentucky’s longer-term effort to add up to 40 new fast charging stations by 2025.

“To make sure Kentucky keeps leading the way, we’re building out our EV infrastructure so our families can charge up as they travel our great state,” Gov. Beshear said in a statement – noting that Kentucky is set to receive nearly $70 million from the NEVI program to accomplish that goal.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is responsible for administering those NEVI funds and for building out the state’s EV recharging network.

“The number of registered EVs in Kentucky continues to grow, and we want to ensure current and future owners have a reliable network of charging stations to support long-distance EV travel,” said KYTC Secretary Jim Gray.

The Circle K Richmond location is one of two awarded sites Circle K will own and operate – becoming one of the fast-charging EV stations to be built across Kentucky.

That Circle K Richmond charging site will initially offer four 180 kilowatt fast chargers, each ready to recharge a typical EV in under 20 minutes. The units, initially equipped with standard Combined Charging System 1 connectors, will undergo upgrades to North American Charging Standard connectors later this year. This transition will occur after the finalization of national standards and UL certification to ensure support for all current and future EV makes and models.

“We’re very pleased to partner with the state in bringing EV fast charging to the commonwealth with the support of the NEVI program,” said Louise Warner, Circle K senior vice president of global fuels. “Partnerships like these are helping to accelerate the development of charging infrastructure to keep pace with growing demand and EV adoption.”

Environmental News Highlights – February 28, 2024

FEDERAL ACTION

AASHTO Names Chris Collins Vice Chair of Water Council -AASHTO Journal

SEC drops some emissions disclosure requirements from draft climate rules –Reuters

Supreme Court seems willing to block EPA ‘good neighbor’ air pollution rule -NBC News

FAA Finalizes Rule to Reduce Carbon Pollution from New Jets and Turboprops -FAA (media release)

COVID-19

Commuting in the United States: 2022 -Census Bureau (link to PDF)

Cell Phone Use In Cars Went Up During The Pandemic And Never Went Back Down –Jalopnik

INFRASTRUCTURE RESILIENCE AND SUSTAINABILITY

San Francisco to set new rules for e-bikes, scooters powered by lithium-ion batteries -KGO-TV

Indiana Toll Road completes solar energy project -Elkhart Truth

In a US first, Seattle to deploy double-decker electric buses with inductive wireless charging –Electrek

How a small town with limited resources is planning for climate change -High Country News

Experts: Best Bet in $300M Osage Nation Wind Farm Dispute Is Negotiation -ENR Texas and Louisiana

AIR QUALITY

Switching to EVs and clean power would save infant lives, help millions of kids breathe easier: Report -The Hill

EPA has tightened its target for deadly particle pollution − states need more tools to reach it -The Conversation

What Critics of the EPA’s ‘Good Neighbor’ Regulations Get Wrong About the Clean Air Act’s History -Time (opinion)

NATURAL RESOURCES

Imperial To Start $3M Highway 86 Beautification By May? -Calexio Chronicle

How Central Texas airports are planning for the total solar eclipse -KCEN-TV

To keep whales safe, Coast Guard launches boat alert system in Seattle –AP

CULTURAL RESOURCES

Kenaitze Indian Tribe Purchases Building for Transportation Hub -Peninsula Clarion

An Online Film Festival That’s All About Cycling –Hyperallergic

HEALTH AND HUMAN ENVIRONMENT/ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION

Bend, Oregon could see new mobility hub as early as this summer-The Bulletin

The Impact of Ridesharing on Urban Mobility -The Weekly Driver

Study shows why bike lane projects are controversial and what cities can do to make it easier –Momentum

London Bike Boom Risks Becoming a Victim of Its Own Success -CityLab (perspective)

Albuquerque Launches Affordable Mobility Platform -City of Albuquerque (media release)

TRB RESOURCES/RESEARCH/ANNOUNCEMENTS

Elevating Equity in Transportation Decision Making: Recommendations for Federal Competitive Grant Programs -TRB (Special report)

The effect of climate vulnerability on global carbon emissions: Evidence from a spatial convergence perspective – ScienceDirect

FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICES

Amending Regulations Relating to the Safeguarding of Vessels, Harbors, Ports, and Waterfront Facilities of the United States -The President (Executive order)

Exemptions From Average Fuel Economy Standards; Passenger Automobile Average Fuel Economy Standards -NHTSA (Final rule; final decision to grant exemption)

Draft Guidance for Future National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permitting of Combined Sewer Systems -EPA (Notice; request for comment)

Waste Emissions Charge for Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems; Extension of Comment Period -EPA (Proposed rule; extension of public comment period)

National Offshore Safety Advisory Committee; Vacancies -Coast Guard (Notice; request for applications)

Technical Mapping Advisory Council -FEMA (Request for applicants for appointment)

Inland Waterways Users Board Meeting Notice -Army Corps of Engineers (Notice)

Public Meeting of the National Geospatial Advisory Committee -Geological Survey (Notice)

Pipeline Safety: Meeting of the Gas Pipeline Advisory Committee -Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (Notice)

Podcast Interview: AASHTO President Craig Thompson

The latest episode of “The Stream by AASHTO” podcast – formerly the Environmental Technical Assistance Program or ETAP podcast – features Craig Thompson, secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and 2023-2024 president of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.

[Above image by AASHTO]

“The Stream by AASHTO” podcast is part of a technical service program for state departments of transportation provided by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. It explores a wide array of environmental topics that affect transportation and infrastructure programs.

For his term as AASHTO president, Thompson plans to focus on three key emphasis areas: Bolstering safety on America’s roadways, realizing the promise of the historic Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and reinvigorating the transportation workforce.

During his podcast interview, President Thompson shares insights into his presidential emphasis areas. Listen to this episode to gain a deeper understanding of this year’s AASHTO president and explore how his extensive experience has shaped AASHTO’s strategic focus for the 2023-2024 year.

[Editor’s note: AASHTO recently released a “presidential profile” video of Thompson, which can been viewed below.]

In his role as the Wisconsin DOT secretary, Thompson oversees one of the largest state agencies, boasting a workforce of over 3,100 employees and managing a biennial budget exceeding $8 billion. The department includes the Division of Motor Vehicles, serving approximately 50,000 customers weekly, and the Division of State Patrol, responsible for law enforcement and assisting motorists across the state.

Thompson also brings over 30 years’ worth of transportation industry experience to his role as AASHTO president. In 2020, he was president of the Mid America Association of State Transportation Officials and was the executive director at the Transportation Development Association of Wisconsin.

Joint Office Issues $46M for EV Infrastructure Grants

The Joint Office of Energy and Transportation or JOET – jointly operated by the U.S. Department of Transportation and U.S. Department of Energy – has issued $46.5 million in grants to 30 projects across 16 states and Washington, D.C, to help develop electric vehicle or EV infrastructure in rural, urban, and tribal communities as well as expand what it calls the “clean energy” workforce.

[Above image via the JOET]

The JOET added that this funding will also address barriers to charging in multifamily housing facilities, explore new approaches to curbside charging in urban areas, promote seamless connections across modes through e-mobility hubs, and test new incentive structures to provide affordable public charging access.

“[We are] proud to fund these game-changing clean transportation projects in communities across the country,” said Gabe Klein, the JOET’s executive director, in a statement.

“These investments ensure we can meet unique local needs, create good-paying jobs, innovate new business models, test products thoroughly, and work towards our goal of making it easy for everyone to ride and drive electric,” he added.

The JOET has also helped developed a variety of resources to help support the expansion of EV infrastructure across the country.

For example, in conjunction with the USDOT, the JOET helped issue a technical resource in July 2023 designed to aid larger communities take full advantage of federal funding for electric vehicle charging stations and other forms of electric transportation.

That guide – called “Charging Forward: A Toolkit for Planning and Funding Urban Electric Mobility Infrastructure” – provides a comprehensive resource for communities, metropolitan planning organizations, transportation providers, businesses, and property owners and developers by including information on how to scope, plan, and identify ways to best leverage billions of dollars in funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act or IIJA.

It follows on the heels of the Rural EV toolkit originally issued by the USDOT in 2022 and later updated in 2023.

The toolkit builds on the efforts of the Joint Office to provide states and communities across America with information and assistance to accelerate an electrified transportation system that is convenient, affordable, reliable, and equitable. It also includes guidance to help urban areas implement other forms of electric transportation, such as public transit, electric bikes and scooters, and ride-share services, USDOT said.

Environmental News Highlights – February 21, 2024

FEDERAL ACTION

Knowledge Session: Navigating Federal Policy Changes -AASHTO Journal

Will America ever stop building more highways? -Washington Post

EPA Chief Michael Regan Wants to Advance Environmental Justice – With the Energy Industry’s Help –Time

Reforming the Governance of Metropolitan Planning Organizations -Center for American Progress

The domino effect of transport sector decarbonization -GreenBiz

USDOT Releases 2023 Equity Action Plan Update -USDOT (media release)

INFRASTRUCTURE RESILIENCE AND SUSTAINABILITY

Maryland Governor unveils $90M for environmental initiatives -WJZ-TV

Maine towns confront climate choice: Rebuild a road or save a marsh? -Portland Press Herald

NYC plans 6 new waterfront shipping hubs to replace truck freight with barges –Gothamist

Here are 8 ways building bike lanes benefit more than just bicyclists –Momentum

New EV Hybrid stickers for first responder safety are ready for Wisconsin license plates –Wisconsin Department of Transportation (media release)

AIR QUALITY

California Ports Deploying Air Pollution Capture for Ships -Transport Topics

Maryland transportation officials have ambitious climate goals – can they get there? -Baltimore Banner

Transportation is polluting North Texas air. Officials seek about $200M for solutions -KERA Radio

People are moving out of cities with poor air quality – but many end up facing other climate risks –CNBC

California Continues to Expand Hydrogen-Powered Passenger Rail Fleet -Caltrans (media release)

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE/EQUITY

How Does Eco Restoration Improve Environmental Justice? –WGBH

UMass Amherst study shows low income communities in Mass. are twice as likely to have poor roads -New England Public Media

Louisiana v. EPA: A Turning Point for Title VI and Environmental Justice? -Troutman Pepper (opinion)

NATURAL RESOURCES

Federal judge ends Florida’s oversight on wetland development -Tampa Bay Times

Remote weather stations see maintenance and innovation -Illinois Department of Transportation (blog)

‘A race to the bottom’: Indiana wetlands bill could affect Great Lakes, Mississippi River -Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

CULTURAL RESOURCES

These Photos Capture Every First and Last Subway Stop in New York City -Smithsonian

HEALTH AND HUMAN ENVIRONMENT/ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION

City Of Newport Beach, California Launches E-Bike Safety Page -Newport Beach-Corona Del Mar Patch

A closer look at Charlotte’s ‘roads-first’ mobility plan -WFAE Radio

The 5 Principles That Make America’s Best Bike Lanes: A Lot More Than Painted Lines –Velo

Uber, Lyft Differences Boil Down to Transportation vs End-to-End Mobility –PYMNTS

TRB RESOURCES/RESEARCH/ANNOUNCEMENTS

Review of Approaches for Managing Pollutant Loads in Highway Stormwater Runoff Meeting 2 –TRB

Airport Energy Resiliency Roadmap –ACRP

Planning for the Emergence of Urban Air Mobility at Aviation Facilities -ACRP (webinar)

2023 Trend Report for Planners -American Planning Association

FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICES

Advisory Committee on Transportation Equity (ACTE); Notice of Public Meeting -Office of the Secretary, Department of Transportation (Notice)

Draft Approach for Implementation of the EPA Label Program for Low Embodied Carbon Construction Materials; Notice of Availability, Webinar and Request for Comment -EPA (Notice)

Shipping Safety Fairways Along the Atlantic Coast; Geographic Information System Files -Coast Guard (Notice of availability)

National Wetland Plant List -Army Corps of Engineers (Notice)

Procedures To Implement the Principles, Requirements, and Guidelines for Federal Investments in Water Resources -Army Corps of Engineers (Proposed rule)

Notice of Call for Nominations for the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Public Advisory Committee -Office of the Secretary, Interior (Notice)

Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment for Commercial Wind Leasing and Site Assessment Activities on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf Offshore Oregon -Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (Notice)

Connecticut DOT Seeks to ‘Quiet’ Interstate Pavement

The morning and afternoon commutes along Interstate 95 in southwest Connecticut will still be a little congested, but maybe a little quieter, thanks to “quiet pavement” the Connecticut Department of Transportation plans to install as part of a road resurfacing project.

[Above photo by Connecticut DOT]

The three-lane (each way) 6.7-mile stretch of I-95 from the New York state line to Stamford carries about 135,000 vehicles a day, much of which is commuter traffic to and from New York City. A Connecticut DOT project to repave the interstate will include a specialty asphalt mix designed to absorb more noise than concrete and last longer than traditional asphalt.

The impetus behind using this “quiet pavement” derived from feedback from people who live and work in the area; they asked the agency to do something about the interstate noise. Some residents had even created a group, Neighborhood Citizens Against I-95 Noise, to push Connecticut DOT to undertake some noise abatement measures.

The department got the message, explained Garrett Eucalitto, Connecticut DOT’s commissioner.

“We seek out resident, business, and stakeholder input when any project is undertaken,” explained Eucalitto, who also serves as the 2023-2024 vice president for the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. “These groups know the needs of the area, and their insights are valued and appreciated.”

While quiet pavement is not an official Federal Highway Administration noise mitigation method, Eucalitto said the asphalt mix is “expected to reduce highway noise by two to three decibels.”

Andi Karica, resident engineer on this Connecticut DOT paving project, said crews will begin removing existing pavement this spring and replace it with a one-inch Binder Rich Intermediate Course topped with two inches of Stone Matrix Asphalt.

“It’s a completely different mix design that takes different ratios of binder and stone aggregate,” Karica said. “It’s a sticky mix, a little harder to work with, but it should be more durable and translate to less noise.”

The Stone Matrix Asphalt is new to Connecticut DOT, but different forms of it have been around for many years. Most of the states that have used it – Arizona, California, Texas, Georgia, and Florida – have warmer climates, and many results show a two decibel reduction in noise.

“This type of asphalt has never been used before in Connecticut, so the Stamford and Greenwich Project will be a pilot program to ensure the longevity and durability of the materials,” Eucalitto said. “We look forward to seeing the results as we continue to deliver projects that improve safety and reliability for all roadway users.”

As the paving project gets started this spring, Connecticut DOT will continue managing a Planning and Environment Linkages study along I-95 that is looking at a broader range of environmental, economic, mobility, and safety issues along the corridor.

The study, which began in June 2023 and is scheduled to be completed in December 2025, will rely heavily on community input, and is designed to help the department develop specific projects.

Arizona DOT Touts Value of ‘Adopt a Highway’ Volunteers

The Arizona Department of Transportation recently noted that its “Adopt a Highway” volunteers continued to make a big difference in terms of litter cleanup along state highways in 2023.

[Above photo by Arizona DOT]

The agency said roughly 850 volunteer groups – comprised of nearly 9,000 individuals – collected over 15,000 bags of roadside litter weighing some 103 tons from state highways mainly outside of Arizona’s metropolitan areas in 2023. The dollar value of that volunteer work equates to roughly $674,000; money the Arizona DOT said can be committed to other critical needs.

“We are so grateful to the many Arizonans who help keep our state grand,” said Mary Currie, Arizona DOT’s Adopt a Highway program manager, in a statement. “Their dedication beautifies state highways that provide a first impression for many visitors and enhances Arizona’s natural beauty.”

She noted that the state’s “Adopt a Highway” groups agree to pick up litter in an adopted stretch at least once per year, though preferably three or more times a year, coordinating with Arizona DOT to arrange for safety vests, litter bags and training for pickup events and then report the results.

State departments of transportation are using a variety of tactics to combat littering on state highways.

For example, the Tennessee Department of Transportation recently expanded the “Youth Group” patch program that is part of its Nobody Trashes Tennessee litter prevention campaign to include Girl Scouts Heart of the South and Girl Scouts of Southern Appalachians. The patch program initially launched in October 2023 with the Girl Scouts of Middle Tennessee.

“Girl Scout Troops are highly committed to community service projects and environmental education, and we are thrilled to have participation from all three councils representing the entire state of Tennessee participating in our Nobody Trashes Tennessee patch program,” said Brittany Morris with the Tennessee DOT’s Beautification Office, in a statement.

[Editor’s note: The agency also recently celebrated the 40th anniversary of its “Litter Grant Program.” That program – started in 1983 – provides funding to all 95 counties within the state to pay for a wide variety of litter-related efforts, such enforcement; cleanup and recycling events; and litter prevention education campaigns.]

“Within the first two months of launching the program in Middle Tennessee, we had approximately 1,000 Girl Scouts earn a Nobody Trashes Tennessee patch,” she said. “We are excited to have even more participation from Girl Scouts this year and have numerous ways for them to get involved.”

On another front, to make roadway debris removal operations faster and safer, the South Carolina Department of Transportation started installing “lane blades” on select highway incident response vehicles in 2023.

Meanwhile, the Mississippi Department of Transportation launched a new anti-litter webpage as part of a renewed statewide anti-littering campaign that kicked off in August 2023 – a “one-stop hub” that contains information about the state’s Adopt-a-Highway program, Mississippi litter statistics and resources, stormwater pollution information, anti-litter resources for school teachers, and much more.

And in April 2023, the Illinois Department of Transportation launched a new public outreach effort called “Think Before You Throw!” as part of its ongoing awareness campaign to reduce littering on state highways and roads.

That “Think Before You Throw!” initiative aims to reduce roadside litter along the state’s more than 150,000 miles of roads by raising awareness of the negative environment impact of trash, for both state residents and the nearly 100 million tourists who visit annually, the agency said.