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    Planning

    Carbon Reduction

    The Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) is one of several Air Quality programs established through the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law , also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), and codified in 23 U.S.C. 175. The Carbon Reduction Program provides funds for transportation projects and strategies specifically designed to reduce transportation emissions, defined as carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from on-road highway sources. 

    Read Pennsylvania's strategy
    PA Carbon Reduction Strategy (CRS)

    The PA Carbon Reduction Strategy

    Areas that receive funding will use a consistent set of criteria and scoring techniques to support prioritization and selection of projects. While the primary intent of the CRP is to advance projects that reduce carbon from the surface transportation sector. A Carbon Reduction Strategy (CRS) is a required element of the CRP effort. Development of the state's CRS was a collaborative effort with our Metropolitan (MPOS) and Rural Planning Organizations (RPOS) along with a CRS workgroup The Pennsylvania (CRS) advances a set of goals of equity, safety, transportation access and public health.

    ​Pennsylvania’s CRS was certified by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) on February 20, 2024. The CRS will be revised periodically to track the state's carbon reduction investments, enhance the project selection process, and to further evaluate priority strategies and actions.

    Contact

    PennDOT Air Quality and Federal Initiatives

    Michael D. Rimer, AICP
    Transportation Planning Manager, Planning and Contract Management Division

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    CRP Funding Allocation Estimates for Pennsylvania (FY 2022-2026)

    To use Carbon Reduction Program funds, the state and MPO/RPO community must ask for, select and obligate eligible projects that meet the CRP mission. This requires teamwork, coordination, and cooperation.

    Program funding is distributed across the state, with some funds allocated proportionally based on population. PennDOT Districts, MPOs and RPOs will be responsible to select projects to receive CRP funding. Some parameters:

    • $264 Million estimated through fiscal year (FY) 2026
    • Sixty-five percent of this estimated amount is allocated to urbanized areas and is distributed in relation to their relative shares of Pennsylvania's population.  The remaining 35% of the CRP funding is distributed by PennDOT.
    • CRP funds may only be used for projects that support the reduction of transportation emissions.

    Project Selection Process

    ​PennDOT's CRS recommends that each MPO/RPO develop a project identification and prioritization process to guide the selection of projects for CRP funding. This should include close coordination between MPO/RPO and District staff, additional coordination with other regional stakeholders, scoring of projects for prioritization, eligibility reviews with PennDOT CPDM and the FHWA Pennsylvania Division, and entering selected project information in PennDOT's Multimodal Project Management System (MPMS).Identifying Projects Eligible for CRP Funding

    The FHWA CRP Guidance provides a detailed list of eligible project categories that contribute to carbon reduction. These range from alternative fuel infrastructure projects to traffic flow improvements and travel demand management strategies. The guidance should serve as a key resource for all regional project selection processes.

    PennDOT has also developed an additional resource to aid in defining project eligibility.  The Carbon Reduction Eligibility Examples was developed with support of FHWA's PA Division office.  The examples build upon FHWA's guidance categories by providing additional project details and examples.   These examples will continue to be refined and enhanced to support decision-making.

    Tracking CRP Funding and Emissions

    PennDOT plans to monitor and track the types of projects funded through the CRP program and to highlight other carbon reduction initiatives and strategies that have been implemented.  In addition, PennDOT may provide future updates on greenhouse gas emission trends related to the transportation system.​