US rescinds Biden memos prioritizing climate in infrastructure projects

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on Monday rescinded two Biden administration memos that encouraged states to address how climate change and equity impact infrastructure projects.

Duffy and the department said the memos were in conflict with the intent of Congress in passing the $1 trillion infrastructure law in 2021 and added costly burdens.

The memos prioritized making infrastructure more resilient to climate change, adopting technologies like EV charging and renewable energy and including disadvantaged and under-represented groups in project planning.

"The Department of Transportation is getting back to basics — building critical infrastructure projects that move people and move commerce safely," Duffy said.

Last year, USDOT under Biden announced $830 million in grants to make infrastructure projects more resilient to climate change.

In January, Duffy said USDOT would rescind a climate rule adopted during the Biden administration requiring states to measure and set declining targets for greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles using the national highway system.