Why does FHWA collect only State data? Why not county data?
States provide motor fuel consumption and tax data to the FHWA on gallons of gasoline, gasohol, on-highway diesel, on-highway liquefied petroleum gas, and other alternative fuels that are consumed in the State. FHWA does not require the States to break out motor fuel data by counties because highway based excise taxes are paid by large oil companies and distributors before distribution for final sale. Therefore, tax information on final consumption is not available at the service station level. Furthermore, Federal highway tax revenues are distributed to States for supporting highways, safety, and transit programs, not to a more detailed level such as counties or municipalities. The distribution of funds to the States is done through an attribution process that uses State-reported motor fuel data, and the apportionments of funds to the States for four major highway programs. Each State’s law, and regulations dictate their own collection and reporting procedures.
Related Questions
- Is the national On the CUSP project team intending to collect data, or will each state collect data and submit results?
- Can a county choose to collect only the 4-H state office portion of the fee ($5) instead of the entire $10?
- When should State highway agencies submit their permanent ATR data to FHWA?
