Generating Resilient, Environmentally Exceptional National Streets Act; GREEN Streets Act
Summary
The GREEN Streets Act aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation by amending Title 23 of the United States Code. It requires transportation planners to consider projects and strategies that lower emissions and improve the resilience of the transportation system. The Act introduces performance measures for public roads, focusing on decreasing per capita vehicle miles traveled and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Expected Effects
The Act will likely lead to increased investment in public transportation, active transportation infrastructure (sidewalks, bike lanes), and transit-oriented development. It also mandates analysis of road capacity expansion projects to assess their impact on emissions and vehicle miles traveled, particularly in environmental justice communities. States that fail to meet emission reduction targets could face requirements to allocate a significant portion of their transportation funding to projects that support these goals.
Potential Benefits
- Reduced greenhouse gas emissions from transportation.
- Improved air quality, especially in environmental justice communities.
- Increased investment in public transportation and active transportation infrastructure.
- Enhanced transit accessibility and reduced vehicle miles traveled.
- Greater consideration of environmental impacts in transportation planning.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for increased transportation costs due to required investments in specific project types.
- Possible delays in road capacity expansion projects due to required analyses and compliance measures.
- Potential for unfunded mandates on states if federal funding does not adequately cover the costs of compliance.
- Possible negative impacts on communities reliant on vehicle travel if public transportation alternatives are not adequately developed.
- Potential for increased regulation and oversight of transportation projects.
Constitutional Alignment
The GREEN Streets Act aligns with the Constitution's general welfare clause (Preamble) by promoting environmental protection and public health. Congress's authority to regulate interstate commerce (Article I, Section 8) provides a basis for federal involvement in transportation planning and funding. The Act's focus on environmental justice also aligns with principles of equal protection, though this is primarily enforced through the 14th amendment which applies to states.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).