US DOT Revokes Reporting Rule for Highway Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Key Takeaways

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has repealed a Biden-era rule on monitoring transportation-related emissions.
The rule faced lawsuits from multiple Republican-led states and had not been implemented.
Industry supporters argue the repeal reduces costs and gives states more control over transportation planning.

Details of the Repeal

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has officially repealed a regulation introduced under the Biden administration, which required states to monitor and report greenhouse gas emissions from interstate highways and major roads. The scrapped rule mandated both two-year and four-year statewide emission reduction targets, along with specific four-year targets for metropolitan planning organizations. Its implementation faced significant opposition, primarily from Republican leaders, and was subjected to lawsuits in Texas and Kentucky by a coalition of states and Republican attorneys general, preventing the rule from taking effect.

In his announcement, Duffy labeled the regulation a “ridiculous climate requirement,” asserting that it obstructed the essential revitalization of America’s highways. He indicated that the repeal was necessary to prevent a perceived radical political agenda from interfering with infrastructure development. The action, which will take effect on May 19, 2025, has garnered support from road builders, trucking companies, and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). AASHTO’s Executive Director Jim Tymon expressed gratitude for the Transportation Department’s decision to remove the rule, which was characterized as a regulatory burden that could have inflated project costs and imposed federal priorities on state transportation strategies.

Critics of the repeal have voiced concern over the disappearance of federal oversight in emissions reporting. Steven Higashide, clean transportation program director at the Union of Concerned Scientists, described the repeal as “deeply disappointing,” suggesting it aligns with corporate interests in the road-building sector and discourages effective emissions management at the state level. He emphasized the need for states to take the initiative in the absence of federal leadership on climate action.

The repeal reflects a significant shift in federal transportation policy, especially in terms of environmental regulations and state autonomy in planning. Supporters of the greenhouse gas performance rule worry that without these emissions targets, states may lack the necessary guidance and accountability for reducing transport-related climate impacts. The ongoing debate underscores the tension between environmental advocacy and economic development interests in shaping the future of U.S. transportation infrastructure.

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