16 hours Ago By Chase Smith
The U.S. Department of Transportation has repealed a Biden-era rule requiring states to set targets for reducing carbon dioxide emissions from vehicles on federally funded highways, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced on April 18.
Industry groups welcomed the change. The American Road & Transportation Builders Association called the rule “unnecessary” and praised the administration for eliminating a mandate that “would have placed new burdens on mobility solutions.” The American Trucking Associations said the regulation would have “scrambled local priorities” and made it harder to expand highway capacity.
The Associated General Contractors of America said the rule “would have forced states to put important infrastructure projects, like road and bridge improvements, on hold.” The group said the repeal is consistent with congressional intent and will help keep freight and passenger traffic moving. The Biden-era FHWA had proposed the rule in 2022 and stated that setting emissions targets would help states make informed investment decisions and qualify for funding under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
That law allocated billions of dollars to help states fund projects like electric vehicle charging stations, carbon reduction strategies, and public transportation upgrades. FHWA leaders at the time said the rule would bring national consistency to policies already in place in 24 states and the District of Columbia. In his announcement, Duffy said more reversals are likely as part of the president’s efforts to cut red tape and refocus the federal transportation agenda on traditional infrastructure priorities.
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