Regional Responses to Air Quality and Climate Change: The Northeast Association of State Transportation Officials (NASTO) Perspective

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Regional Responses to Air Quality and Climate
ChangeThe Northeast Association of State
Transportation Officials (NASTO) Perspective

• Presented to the 5th Mid-Atlantic Regional
  Planning Roundtable
• Friday, November 7, 2008
• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Michael Baker Chairman, NASTO Air Quality
Committee Pennsylvania Department of
Transportation michaelba_at_state.pa.us
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Presentation Outline

1. NASTO
2. Regional Issues
3. NASTO State Examples
4. Summary

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Who / What is NASTO???

• Members
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• District of Columbia
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New York
• Ontario
• Pennsylvania
• Quebec
• Rhode Island
• Vermont

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NASTO Mission

• Advancement of transportation policies and
  practices beneficial to the Northeast Region of
  the U.S. and the Eastern Provinces of Canada.
• Focal point for discussion and research on
  transportation issues of interest to members.
• Strong emphasis on promoting cooperation and
  partnership.

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Selected NASTO Member Examples
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Delaware

• Situation
• Tidal coastline of 381 miles 357 miles on the
  Delaware Bay.
• Since 1900
• Sea level rose 12 inches in the 1900s, Forecast
  another 23 inches by 2100.
• Avg. temperature up 1.9º F Precipitation up 10
  
• Impacts
• Flooding Emergency Evacuation Routes, local
  roads
• Travel disruptions
• Higher levels of ground level ozone and other
  photochemical pollutants
• Increase in roadway incidents due to storms.

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DE Climate Action Plan

• Initiated 1998 via Climate Change Consortium.
• DE Energy Office w/ US EPA, Univ. of DE.
• Base year and future year forecasts.
• Unchecked, DE CO2 emissions would increase 22
  from 1988 to 2010 (to 20 MMT).
• Adopted a GHG reduction target.
• 7 below the 1990 base year by 2010 (23
  reduction by 2010)

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Effects of Sea Level Rise on Land Area

• By 2100 if GHG unchecked
• Loss of red and orange areas.
• Impact land use, coastal roadway network.
• Increased salinity in Delaware Bay salt water
  intrusion
• Paved surfaces roadway failures.
• Agricultural losses.
• Water supply issues.

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Effects of Sea Level Rise on Land Area
(contd)

• Three main evacuation routes partially or
  completely submerged by 100 year flood events.
• Improve infrastructure.
• Add/modify evacuation routes plans.
• Increased frequency and duration of storms
• Increased likelihood of coastal flooding events.
• More accidents/incidents.
• Retrofit drainage system.

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DelDOT Plans

• Inventory flood-prone bridges roadways.
• Develop action plan for necessary improvements.
• Infrastructure Sensors
• Monitor physical condition shifts in climate.
• Rethink Transportation Design Standards
• Increase drainage capacity for projects.
• Develop heat resistant materials / standards for
  bridges and roadways.
• Land Use / Transportation
• Avoid vulnerable locations.

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District of Columbia

• Through Metro Washington Council of Govts.
• Regional Climate Change Steering Cmte (April
  2007)
• Regional GHG Inventory
• ID Best Practices Policies
• Examine Impacts
• Recommend GHG Reduction Goals
• Recommend Governance Structures for CC
• Propose Advocacy Positions
• Public Comment in Process for Draft Report (July
  2008)

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District of Columbia

• MWCOG Draft Report Recommendations
• GHG Reduction Goals
• 10 below BAU by 2010
• 20 below 2005 by 2020
• 80 below 2005 by 2050
• Transportation Measures Recommended
• Reduce VMT Smart Growth
• Alternative fuels Tree Canopy
• Fuel Efficiency Comprehensive Planning
• Finance Outreach

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District of Columbia

• Petition to join Regional Greenhouse Gas
  Initiative (RGGI)
• Clean Cars Act of 2008 (dep. on EPA waiver to CA)
  
• Green Building Act of 2006
• LEED Silver for city projects gt 10,000 SF
• 09 - 11 Green Building Checklist for private
  commercial projects gt 50,000 SF
• 12 LEED Silver standard for private
  commercial projects gt 50,000 SF

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District of Columbia

• Green Jobs Program
• Leverage green job training, job placement
  contract opportunities
• Clean Affordable Energy Act of 2008
• Sustainable / Renewable Energy Sources - 20 by
  2020
• Energy Efficiency Retrofits
• Green Collar Workforce Development

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D.C. Ongoing Efforts

• D.C. Green Agenda
• Joined Climate Registry (June 2006)
• Joined Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, US
  Conference of Mayors (Jan 2007)
• GHG inventory 2005 base year
• Establishing baseline for reductions with ICLEI
• Energy Audits of all facilities in progress
• Green Roofs
• Tree Planting Program

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Maryland

• MD Climate Change Commission (convened 2008)
• Long term effort w/ annual reports.
• Recommend goals, actions, timetable actions to
  Governor, Legislature
• Major MD concerns
• Rise of coastal waters
• Loss of aquatic life (impacts to oysters,
  rockfish and the bay ecosystem)
• Potential for extreme weather conditions
• Subtropical Chesapeake Bay
• More ..

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Maryland

• 4,360 miles of tidal shoreline.
• Avg. temperature in College Park increased 2.4
  since 1900.
• Chesapeake Bay Sea level up 1 foot in
  100 yrs.
• 13 islands already lost.
• Sea level projected to rise additional 2 3 feet
  by 2100.

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Current MDOT Measures with GHG Reductions

• MD Clean Car (dep. on EPA waiver to CA)
• On-Going VMT Reduction Strategies
• -- Park and Ride -- GRH
• -- Transit Expansion -- Ridesharing
• -- Telecommuting -- Bike/Ped Projects
• On-Going Emission Reduction Strategies (Non-VMT
  Based)
• -- Idling reductions -- Bio-diesel
• -- ITS -- Tree Planting
• -- Clean Diesel Locomotives -- Hybrid Buses
• -- Truck Stop Electrification

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Transportation / Land Use
Policy Options

• VMT Reduction Measures
• Land Use and Location Efficiency (Including VMT
  Reduction Goals)
• Transit
• Intercity Travel Aviation, Rail, Bus
• Pay-as-you-drive Insurance
• Bike / Ped Infrastructure
• Pricing Measures (Including Carbon Fuel Tax)
• Evaluate GHG Impacts of Projects
• Reduce Carbon per Unit of Fuel
• Low GHG Fuel Standard (not recommended for
  immediate implementation)
• Reduce Carbon per Mile and/or per Hour
• Vehicle Technologies

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Preliminary Total Reduction Goals (below 2006
emissions)

• Consideration expected in 2008 Legislative
  Session
• Goals
• Measures
• Timeframes
• Commission Annual Report each November.

2012 10
2015 15
2020 25 - 50
2050 90
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New Jersey

• Global Warming Response Act
• Signed by Governor Jon S. Corzine on July 6,
  2007.
• Targets
• 1990 levels by 2020.
• 80 below 2006 levels by 2050.
• NJDEP lead on GHG Plan
• NJDOT and Other departments collaborating.
• Plan under development.

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NJ Potential Transport Strategies

• Vehicle Efficiency
• LEV Vehicle Program (dep. on EPA waiver to CA)
• Incentives for Purchase/Use of Highly Efficient
  Vehicles.
• Green the State-Owned Fleet.
• Diesel Idling Infrastructure Alternatives.
• Encourage Efficient Trucks.

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NJ Potential Transport Strategies

• Carbon Intensity of Fuels
• Low Carbon Fuel Standard.
• Promote Residential Equipment to Facilitate and
  Support the Non-Liquid Transport Fuels.
• CNG
• Electric

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NJ Potential Transport Strategies

• VMT Reduction Targets
• VMT Target Annual VMT Growth lt 1
• Green VMT Target
• 50 percent of the overall NJ VMT by green
  vehicles by 2020.
• Green Vehicles CA GHG score 9 or better
• ( 239 grams/mile CO2 e)

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NJ Potential Transport Strategies

• Additional Transportation Strategies
• Maintain Existing Transit, Expand Capacity.
• Traffic Management
• Green Corridors Pilot Study
• Strengthen, expand Commuter Option Programs
• Invest in freight rail infrastructure
• Implement Rail Shuttle Projects
• Shift some freight movements from trucks to
  rail.

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New Jersey

• Challenges and Issues
• VMT
• How meet proposed goal ?
• Metrics
• Develop effective method to measure Carbon
  Footprint of transportation activities ?
• Decision Making
• Weigh GHG vs. other issues (system preservation,
  safety, congestion relief, etc.) in project
  selection ?
• Financing
• How incorporate green incentives and long-term
  stability ?

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New York State

• General Approach
• Think Globally, Act Locally
• Consider Vehicle Technology, Fuels, VMT
• States have greatest opportunity to affect GHG
  via VMT / Demand Issues
• Support Vehicle Technology Fuel Improvements
• Cumulative Effect of Small Actions.

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New York State

• Already doing many of these
• Should do more
• Quantify improvements
• Institutionalize energy/climate change awareness

• Mass transit
• Emissions reporting
• Traffic signals
• Freight management
• Managed lanes
• Smart growth/land use
• Idle reduction
• Commuter Choice
• Air quality education
• Alternative fuels
• Research

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New York State

• NY only state to Report Energy and GHG emissions
  for adoption of TIPs and Long Range Plans
• Results to Date
• 11 improvement v. business- as-usual.
• Examines GHG and Energy in Project Alternative
  Selection
• Modeling Improvements Needed.

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New York State

• Actions
• Commuter Choice
• Downstate 30 million / 3 years.
• AQ Education Outreach
• 6 million / 4 years
• 3.13 VMT reduction on AQ Action Days

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New York State

• NYSDOT Climate Change/Energy Efficiency Team
• Goals
• Reduce energy costs for public
• Promote energy efficient programs projects
• Reduce NYSDOTs carbon footprint
• 5 Workgroups 70 people
• Transp. Partners
• NYSDOT Vehicles
• Fuel
• Adaptation
• Outreach

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New York State

• Workgroup Recommendations (June 08)
• Compressed work week NYSDOT employees
• NYS version of Gulf Coast Study
• TIP direction to include GHG, CC, energy
• Involvement with RGGI
• Collaboration with other agencies
• NYSDEC, NYSERDA, FHWA, more

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New York State

• GHG goal 10 reduction in 10 years
• Integration with
• Governors Renewable Fuels Task Force
• NYSDEC (lead state agency)
• State Energy Plan Governors Exec. Order

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Pennsylvania

• Energy Independence Strategy (2007)
• Renewable Fuels initiative (650 million)
• Climate Change Advisory Committee
• Senate Bill 266 of 2007.
• Ongoing Energy Efforts.

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Pennsylvania

• Initiatives In Place
• Climate Change Advisory Committee
• Action plan due Oct 2009 and triennially
  thereafter
• Include scientific predictions, impacts, economic
  opportunities, mitigation measures
• PA Clean Car (pend. EPA waiver to CA)
• HDDV Anti-Idling Regulation
• State Biofuels Plan (SB 22)
• Targets for Biodiesel, Cellulostic Ethanol
• gt U.S. Energy Independence Security Act
  07
• Local Govt Pilot Grants

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Pennsylvania

• PennDOT Ongoing Activities
• Transit Operations, Capital Support
• Alt. Fuels for Transit Vehicles
• TMA Program Encourage Demand Mgmt.
• CMAQ-funded Projects
• Alt. fuels, vehicle technology, congestion
  mitigation, transit services vehicles, TDM.
• Rideshare / Carpool Programs
• Smart Transportation / Growth
• Traffic Signal Prioritization
• Right Sizing

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Special Thanks

• Contributors
• Mark Glaze, DelDOT
• Howard Simons, MDOT
• Mark Rawlings, DDOT
• Andy Swords, NJDOT
• John Zamurs, NYSDOT
• Howard Simons, MDOT
• Bob Kaiser, Michael Baker Jr., Inc.

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Questions?

• Michael Baker
• Chairman, NASTO Air Quality Committee
• Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
• michaelba_at_state.pa.us

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National Issues

• Greenhouse Gases (CO2 and others) global
  warming, causing climate change.
• Primarily from fossil fuel consumption.
• GHG emissions are increasing
• Partic. electricity transportation.
• 3 Areas of Concern
• Mitigation (reduce GHG emissions future impacts)
• Adaptation (accommodate likely impacts)
• Science and Research
• Total overall GHG reductions needed from 1990
  Base to contain CC
• 10 - 20 by 2020
• 60 - 80 by 2050

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National Focus

• AASHTO Primer on Climate Change
• AMPO Reports, Articles
• Transportation Research Board (TRB)
  Reports
• FHWA and EPA research,
  reports
• Many other efforts

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Climate Change Impacts

• Rising Sea Levels
• Threaten cities, infrastructure, agriculture,
  habitat.
• Weather Events - More often frequent
• Flooding other natural disasters
• Loss of homes, businesses, infrastructure, land.
• Significant retrofit effort.
• Temperature Increases / Weather Changes
• Agriculture, forestry, species threatened.
• Infrastructure threats operational costs due to
  heat.

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GHG Emissions Projections
Gasoline Vehicles
Other Fuels
Electricity
Source US EPA, 2008
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Transportation GHG Emissions

• Transportation accounts for
• 28 of GHG equivalents 33 of CO2
• Highway vehicles - 78 of transportation GHG
  emissions.

Source 2004 U.S. Sector Emissions of CO2 Energy
Information Agency, Annual Energy Outlook 2005
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Highway Vehicle CO2 Growth TrendIncludes 2007
Energy Independence Security Act
Sources FHWA, AEO 08, Michael Baker Jr., Inc.
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Regional Initiatives

• Activity to date by states and cities

Plus Many MPOs
850 Cities - Mayors Climate Plan
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NASTO Total State GHG Goals
Jur. Base Yr. Future Yr. Jur. Base Yr. Future Yr.
CT 10 1990 2020 NJ 20 1990 2020
  80 2001 2050   80 2006 2050
DE 7 1990 2010 NY 10 1990 2020
DC 7 1990 2012 ON 6 1990 2014
ME 10 1990 2020   15 1990 2020
  75-85 2004 tbd   80 2001 2050
MD 10 2006 2012 PA CCAC in Process CCAC in Process CCAC in Process
  15 2006 2015 QE 6 1990 2012
  25-50 2006 2020 RI 10 1990 2020
  90 2006 2050   80 2006 tbd
MA 10 1990 2012 VT 25 1990 2012
  75-85 2004 tbd   50 1990 2028
NH 10 1990 2020   75 1990 2050
  75-85 2006 tbd Data as of May 2008 Data as of May 2008 Data as of May 2008 Data as of May 2008