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Transportation Greenhouse Gas Emissions Impact Assessment
Background
- Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Impact Mitigation Working Group
- 2023-2024 Report on Transportation GHG Emissions Impact Mitigation Working Group (PDF)
Form a technical advisory committee
The 2024 Legislature established the Transportation GHG Emissions Impact Assessment Technical Advisory Committee to assist in review of a new GHG Emissions Impact Assessment under development by the Department of Transportation. Beginning Feb. 1, 2025, the Legislature will require capacity expansion projects to complete a GHG impact assessment and conform with GHG and Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) reduction targets prior to inclusion in the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) or a metropolitan Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).
Develop an initial assessment for 2025
The Technical Advisory Committee will advise MnDOT and develop an initial assessment process for evaluating capacity expansion projects that will newly be included in the 2025 STIP or a metropolitan TIP. A procedure process for evaluating GHG and VMT impacts is currently under development with initial procedure guidance planned to be available by November 2024.
Establish full assessment and mitigation plan
The Technical Advisory Committee will also be working to develop a plan for how to manage mitigation activities. For example, how to quantify the emissions reduction benefits from adding bike lanes as mitigation. The mitigation process will have similarities to how wetland mitigation activities are already managed in Minnesota.
Improve emissions analysis process over time
The legislature has directed MnDOT to improve the emissions analysis process over time by developing a process for regional evaluation. The external Technical Advisory Committee and MnDOT will develop a process for regional emissions analysis on Minnesota’s multimodal system. The intention will be to understand if regional transportation investments are increasing emissions or reducing them.