The Trump administration is reviving the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program, revising its guidelines to eliminate consumer protections, environmental reviews, labor standards, and other provisions from the Biden-era program.
After a judge ruled that the Trump administration must unfreeze funds for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, the Department of Transportation (USDOT) issued new guidance on how states can distribute the $5 billion allocated to the program by the Biden administration, reports Sean O’Kane in TechCrunch.
Now, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is calling the former iteration of the program inefficient, pointing out that 84 percent of funds were still unobligated. “Duffy and the DOT also claimed the funding was only halted while a ‘review process’ was performed to ensure the NEVI program aligned with the administration’s priorities.”
According to a USDOT press release, the new guidelines for the program aim to simplify the permitting process. “This means states will no longer have to consider consumer protections, emergency evacuation plans, environmental siting, and other previously required steps before construction can begin.” The new rules also eliminate any requirements to build charging stations in underserved and rural areas.
USDOT also removed requirements to “demonstrate how the implementation will promote strong labor, safety training, and installation standards” and to encourage the involvement of minority- and women-owned businesses in NEVI projects.
Read the full story: Trump administration stops illegal freeze of $5B EV charger funds after losing in court
USDOT Cancels Over $100 Million in Sustainable Transportation Funds for Colorado
The administration is pulling funding for what it calls “woke” and “redundant” clean energy projects including EV charging infrastructure.
96% of federal EV charging funds from 2021-2022 are unspent
New Buy America requirements and other stipulations are slowing the process for accessing federal funds.
USDOT Wants to Require 100% American-made Materials for EV Charging Stations
The proposal comes after a judge ruled against the agency’s attempt to rescind federal funds for electric car charging projects.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Chicago breaks ground on $3 billion megadevelopment
The new neighborhood, titled Foundry Park, will one day host 3,700 residences.
California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO resigns after $600,000 scandal
Under Ian Choudri, the authority used taxpayer dollars to fund first class flights and trips to nightclubs.
Want to study the Missouri River? Soon, you may need unanimous approval from 10 states
Legislation would require 10 governors’ permission to study or build projects moving water outside the basin.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority