GREEN Streets Act
Sen. Markey Introduces GREEN Streets Act to Mandate Carbon Cuts in State Transportation Plans
Stalled
No legislative action in over 90 days.
Legislative Progress
Key Points
- This bill requires states and cities to create plans that actively reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the total number of miles people drive. It sets a national goal of reaching net-zero emissions from public roads by encouraging alternatives to driving alone in cars.
- Before building new highway lanes or starting projects costing over $25 million, officials would have to prove the project is more cost-effective than adding bus lines or trains. They must also study how the construction would affect air quality in nearby low-income neighborhoods and communities of color.
- States that fail to meet their emission reduction targets would be forced to redirect a large chunk of their federal highway budget. Specifically, they would have to spend at least 33% of certain funds on 'green' projects like bike lanes, sidewalks, and expanded bus or rail service.
- The policy creates new ways to measure success, such as how easily people can reach jobs, grocery stores, and doctors by public transit within 45 minutes. It also tracks how many homes have access to safe sidewalks, crosswalks, and dedicated bike lanes.
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
Life & Work
Rural areas depend heavily on roads for moving agricultural products to market. The bill's requirements to justify highway capacity expansion with cost-benefit analyses comparing transit alternatives could slow or complicate road projects in agricultural regions, even though these areas have few viable transit options. The technical assistance provision is voluntary for rural communities, offering some flexibility.
Disabilities
Milestones
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in Senate
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
News
No related news coverage found for this legislation yet.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
GREEN Streets Act
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
(4)Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.