Transportation Secretary Overturns Biden-Era Infrastructure Guidance
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced on Monday that he is revoking memos from the Biden administration that had previously encouraged state agencies to incorporate considerations of social justice and environmental impacts in their infrastructure projects.
The Biden administration had introduced these memos in 2021 and again in 2023, emphasizing the use of bipartisan infrastructure law funding. These guidelines aimed to involve disadvantaged and under-represented communities in the planning and development of crucial infrastructure, such as roads, highways, and transportation hubs, while also addressing environmental and climate concerns.
However, Duffy’s office issued a statement criticizing these guidelines for imposing unnecessary and costly burdens associated with greenhouse gas emissions and equity-related initiatives. “The previous administration attempted to impose a radical social and environmental agenda on the public, bypassing Congress,” Duffy remarked. “This act of federal overreach ends today.”
The federal focus on tackling environmental health issues, particularly affecting Black, Latino, Indigenous, and low-income neighborhoods, has roots dating back to the Clinton administration. President Biden expanded these efforts with targeted investments through several initiatives and programs designed to distribute 40% of the benefits from specific environmental programs to the most affected neighborhoods.
For many years, experts have highlighted that these communities face severe impacts from nearby highways, hazardous waste sites, and petrochemical facilities. Such environments are linked to increased cancer risks, deteriorated heart and lung health, and a reduction in life expectancy.
Since his return to the White House, former President Trump has been reshaping environmental policies, notably by discarding long-standing environmental justice measures. His administration’s direction aligns with the stance of figures like Lee Zeldin, who vowed to discontinue the focus on “environmental justice.” Duffy reiterated that the rescinded policies did not comply with congressional intent or legal frameworks and would no longer play a role in his department’s agenda.
Roishetta Ozane, founder of the Vessel Project of Louisiana, a mutual aid and environmental justice organization, expressed disappointment with Duffy’s decision. “It feels like we’re moving backward in ensuring equitable benefits from infrastructure investments,” she commented. Ozane criticized the dismissal of critical initiatives concerning greenhouse gas emissions and social equity as particularly alarming.
“The language used reflects not only a regression in policy but also a disregard for advocacy for a just and sustainable future,” she added. “It’s disheartening to witness a lack of commitment to substantial change, especially in ensuring that infrastructure developments meet the needs of all communities, not just select ones.”
