TO: | Honorable Kip Averitt, Chair, Senate Committee on Natural Resources |
FROM: | John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board |
IN RE: | SB1597 by Watson (Relating to the analysis of greenhouse gas emissions associated with a metropolitan planning organization's long-range plan.), As Introduced |
The bill would amend the Transportation Code to require a metropolitan planning organization (MPO) when analyzing vehicle emissions associated with transportation activities expected to result from implementing a long-range transportation plan to be adopted on or after January 1, 2011, to conduct an analysis of greenhouse gas emissions using the best available methods. The bill specifies what emissions must be quantified and that the methods of analysis must be the best available as determined in consultation with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).
TxDOT would be required, in consultation with the MPOs, the Federal Highway Administration, Federal Transit Administration, the United States Environmental Protection Agency, and the Texas Council on Environmental Quality, to monitor and update the agreed upon best available methods as necessary.
Based on the analysis of TxDOT, it is assumed any costs or duties associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be absorbed within existing resources.
Source Agencies: | 601 Department of Transportation
|
LBB Staff: | JOB, WK, DB
|