Initially, the FHWA proposed stronger standards last year for its framework. The final rule’s modifications came a year later after nearly 40,000 public comments.
The agency originally called for requiring state emission reductions targets every two years. State transportation departments will get some relief under the final rule, though, by starting off with four-year greenhouse gas targets.
The agency also proposed using a reference year of 2021 for emissions. But commenters noted how emissions were different then due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
