Latest news with #NationalElectricVehicleInfrastructureprogram
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
GAO Makes Official What's Been Obvious: Trump Admin Is Breaking Impoundment Control Act
The independent agency embedded within the legislative branch that is designed to review federal spending and make recommendations to Congress on cost savings and waste, as well as investigate policy implementation (the real one, not DOGE), has released a new finding that none of us will find surprising. As part of its 39 different investigations into various actions the Trump administration has taken in the last four months that could qualify as Impoundment Control Act violations, the Government Accountability Office determined this afternoon that the Trump administration has, in fact, done just that. The congressional watchdog found that the Department of Transportation illegally withheld funds when it paused a Biden-era initiative to expand charging stations for electric vehicles across the nation in February. The $5 billion initiative was originally put in motion by the Transportation Department as part of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program, an element of the bipartisan infrastructure bill passed by Congress under President Biden. Trump's Transportation Department, however, froze the $5 billion in funding to the project as part of DOGE's rampage through the executive branch. The DOT has claimed that it placed a pause on the funds while it writes new rules for how to disperse the grant money. The Office of Government Accountability was not persuaded by the Trump administration's argument and said that if the new administration wants to make funding changes to the EV charging station program, it needs to — you guessed it — send Congress a rescission package. Or suggest new legislation for Congress to consider. Here's the exact language from the GAO ruling: DOT is not authorized to withhold these funds from expenditure and DOT must continue to carry out the statutory requirements of the program. While DOT cannot withhold these funds under the ICA, DOT could propose funds for rescission or otherwise propose legislation to make changes to the NEVI Formula Program for consideration by Congress. You can read a more detailed breakdown of the findings here. Big picture, the non-partisan congressional watchdog is expected to issue more rulings in coming months as it works its way through nearly 40 other similar investigations into whether the Trump administration has violated the 51-year-old law in other ways. The Trump White House has already called the GAO finding 'wrong' and GAO opinions are, in general, considered nonbinding recommendations to Congress. Such a finding might matter more in an era where congressional Republicans were not already so willing to choke down all of Trump's DOGE cuts. Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) put out a compelling statement in response to the ruling saying it 'affirms what we've long known: the President is breaking the law to block funding Congress passed on a bipartisan basis and that is owed to the American people — simply because he disagrees with it.' By now, you've seen the news: the Trump administration is attempting to end Harvard's ability to enroll international students, which make up almost a third of the student population at the university that has thus far not given into Trump's attempts to bend it to his will. The school gave the Times the following statement: 'We are fully committed to maintaining Harvard's ability to host our international students and scholars, who hail from more than 140 countries and enrich the university — and this nation — immeasurably,' said Jason Newton, the university's director of media relations. 'We are working quickly to provide guidance and support to members of our community. This retaliatory action threatens serious harm to the Harvard community and our country, and undermines Harvard's academic and research mission.' President Donald Trump is urging the Senate to act on the House-passed reconciliation package 'as soon as possible.' House Republicans narrowly passed their bill — that includes massive cuts to Medicaid and SNAP — early this morning after weeks of intraparty fighting that culminated in a Trump intervention this week. But the 'big, beautiful bill' is expected to face major challenges in the Senate. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) is reportedly privately meeting with senators who are against the package's sweeping cuts to Medicaid. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) has been very vocal about his opposition to cuts to the social safety net program for weeks. And the Hill is reporting that a group of five to seven Republican senators are concerned about the Medicaid reforms included in the House's reconciliation package. Meanwhile, on the other end of the spectrum, Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) has already said he is a 'no' on the bill in its current form, as it does not do enough to address the deficit. Senate Republican leadership is considering taking the House's package and chopping it up into pieces to make it easier to pass. One thing is certain: the problems that plagued the bill's passage in the House aren't going anywhere. And there will be changes to the bill's text once the upper chamber gets its hands on it. — Emine Yücel New from Kate Riga: Supreme Court Kills The Independent Agency. Trump Is King And a scoop from Josh Kovensky: An Outspoken Christian Nationalist Pastor Expands His Sway In Trump's DC House Passes Trump's Reconciliation Bill After Shoving In Larger Medicaid Cuts At Last Minute Federal Judge Calls Out Trump DOJ's Targeting Of Political Rivals In Real Time Welcome To The White Christian Nationalist Presidency Judge Finds DHS Violated Court Order In Sudden South Sudan Removal Scheme Democratic Hill staffer is a contestant on next season of 'Survivor' The Republican Party's Populist Betrayal The Largest Upward Transfer of Wealth in American History
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Trump administration violated ‘impoundment' law by freezing electric vehicle funding, GAO finds
The Government Accountability Office ruled Thursday that the Department of Transportation violated the 51-year-old law blocking presidents from withholding funding Congress has approved. The congressional watchdog ruled the Trump administration illegally withheld funds by suspending new obligations under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program, the $5 billion initiative from the bipartisan infrastructure law to build charging stations across the country. The GAO could issue similar rulings in the coming months, as the independent, nonpartisan watchdog agency works through at least 39 investigations into whether the Trump administration violated the Impoundment Control Act. GAO rulings are nonbinding but could influence Congress' response to President Donald Trump's freezing of billions of dollars lawmakers intended to flow to specific programs and projects, as well as the many ongoing lawsuits challenging the president's tactics. As Trump and his top advisers argue that the decades-old law is unconstitutional, GAO notes the Constitution 'specifically vests Congress with the power of the purse.' Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), the top Democrat on the Appropriations Committee, said in a statement the GAO decision 'affirms what we've long known: the President is breaking the law to block funding Congress passed on a bipartisan basis and that is owed to the American people — simply because he disagrees with it.' The department has said that pausing the charger program was necessary as it rewrites rules for using the grant money, but the federal watchdog dismissed that argument. If the Trump administration 'wishes to make changes' to funding under the program, GAO wrote, the president needs to send Congress a so-called rescissions request or propose new legislation to make changes to funding mandates already signed into law. GAO also ruled the Transportation Department erred in its interpretation of when funds were 'obligated' under the program — a key factor because DOT allowed states to keep spending money that was already obligated when it ordered the pause in February. Under the Trump administration's interpretation — which it said matched the way it operated other highway aid programs — the funding for electric vehicle infrastructure was considered obligated when states signed project agreements with the Federal Highway Administration to build a charging station. That meant $526 million was obligated when it suspended the program, according to DOT. But GAO said that under its interpretation of the infrastructure law, NEVI funds are considered obligated when they become available to states under the statute each fiscal year — meaning more than $3.2 billion should be considered obligated. In a statement, a spokesperson for the White House Office of Management and Budget called GAO's opinion 'wrong' and said the Transportation Department is 'appropriately using the authority granted to it by statute to review state plans.' A DOT spokesperson could not be immediately reached for comment. The Trump administration is also facing a lawsuit from 17 states over the frozen EV charger funding. The GAO ruling came the same morning Senate Republicans voted to overturn a California emission standards waiver issued by the Biden administration, despite the GAO and Senate parliamentarian ruling the waiver did not qualify for reversal using the Congressional Review Act process.
Politico
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- Politico
Trump administration violated ‘impoundment' law by freezing electric vehicle funding, GAO finds
The Government Accountability Office ruled Thursday that the Department of Transportation violated the 51-year-old law blocking presidents from withholding funding Congress has approved. The congressional watchdog ruled the Trump administration illegally withheld funds by suspending new obligations under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program, the $5 billion initiative from the bipartisan infrastructure law to build charging stations across the country. The GAO could issue similar rulings in the coming months, as the independent, nonpartisan watchdog agency works through at least 39 investigations into whether the Trump administration violated the Impoundment Control Act. GAO rulings are nonbinding but could influence Congress' response to President Donald Trump's freezing of billions of dollars lawmakers intended to flow to specific programs and projects, as well as the many ongoing lawsuits challenging the president's tactics. As Trump and his top advisers argue that the decades-old law is unconstitutional, GAO notes the Constitution 'specifically vests Congress with the power of the purse.' Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), the top Democrat on the Appropriations Committee, said in a statement the GAO decision 'affirms what we've long known: the President is breaking the law to block funding Congress passed on a bipartisan basis and that is owed to the American people — simply because he disagrees with it.' The department has said that pausing the charger program was necessary as it rewrites rules for using the grant money, but the federal watchdog dismissed that argument. If the Trump administration 'wishes to make changes' to funding under the program, GAO wrote, the president needs to send Congress a so-called rescissions request or propose new legislation to make changes to funding mandates already signed into law. GAO also ruled the Transportation Department erred in its interpretation of when funds were 'obligated' under the program — a key factor because DOT allowed states to keep spending money that was already obligated when it ordered the pause in February. Under the Trump administration's interpretation — which it said matched the way it operated other highway aid programs — the funding for electric vehicle infrastructure was considered obligated when states signed project agreements with the Federal Highway Administration to build a charging station. That meant $526 million was obligated when it suspended the program, according to DOT. But GAO said that under its interpretation of the infrastructure law, NEVI funds are considered obligated when they become available to states under the statute each fiscal year — meaning more than $3.2 billion should be considered obligated. In a statement, a spokesperson for the White House Office of Management and Budget called GAO's opinion 'wrong' and said the Transportation Department is 'appropriately using the authority granted to it by statute to review state plans.' A DOT spokesperson could not be immediately reached for comment. The Trump administration is also facing a lawsuit from 17 states over the frozen EV charger funding. The GAO ruling came the same morning Senate Republicans voted to overturn a California emission standards waiver issued by the Biden administration, despite the GAO and Senate parliamentarian ruling the waiver did not qualify for reversal using the Congressional Review Act process.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Three EV charging stations to open in the Midstate
(WHTM) — Three new Electric vehicle charging stations, built using funds from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program, are opening in the Midstate. PennDOT announced three new federally-funded EV charging stations are opening in various Midstate locations, including Cumberland and Franklin counties. According to the Shapiro Administration, the new locations include the Flying J Travel Center in New Milford, Susquehanna County, the Chambersburg Square Shopping Center on Walker Road in Franklin County, and Sheetz along I-81 in Carlisle, Cumberland County. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now The Shapiro Administration says the opening of the new stations brings the total number of stations in Pennsylvania to eight. 'Pennsylvania continues to move quickly to invest in critical EV infrastructure,' said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. 'These federally funded chargers represent a core component in the future of EV transportation – and we're using federal funds efficiently to create jobs and improve our transportation system.' The Chambersburg charging station represents $793,457 in federal NEVI funding, and the Carlisle station represents a $738,937 investment. All three charging stations provide up to 400 kW of power, per the Shapiro Administration. 'Francis Energy is proud to open our first NEVI stations in Pennsylvania. This infrastructure will serve as an economic development tool for the Chambersburg and Carlisle communities, by driving traffic to local, Pennsylvania-based businesses,' said David Jankowsky, Founder and CEO at Francis Energy. 'We are grateful for our partnership with PennDOT and look forward to continuing to invest in Pennsylvania, connecting people across the Commonwealth.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Washington Post
07-02-2025
- Automotive
- Washington Post
Trump administration orders states to halt EV charging programs
In a memo released Thursday, the Federal Highway Administration ordered states to halt a $5 billion program to build fast EV chargers on highways nationwide — an initiative that President Donald Trump cited as an example of the 'Green New Deal.' The letter informs state transportation directors — who are in charge of administering the program — that any plans approved by the Biden administration are now suspended until the Transportation Department provides new guidelines in the spring. 'Effective immediately, no new obligations may occur under the NEVI formula program,' the letter reads. The order, which comes as many states are still working to build out their public chargers supported by $5 billion in grants, could strike a major blow to an industry that has experienced slower-than-expected sales and could lose critical federal tax incentives in coming months. On Wednesday, Ford Motor Co. projected it could lose as much as $5.5 billion this year on its EV and software business. Just 55 charging stations have been built so far, according to data from the analytics firm Paren. 'I don't believe FHWA has the authority to do this,' said Loren McDonald, the firm's chief analyst and an expert on the charging program, in an email. The memo was first reported by InsideEVs. The program, which Congress approved under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, is known as the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program. It was intended to help fill gaps in the nation's EV charging network and boost consumer confidence to buy electric vehicles. The law also provided another $2.5 billion for chargers in communities and neighborhoods. States had to submit plans to the Transportation Department on how they would use the funds; once their plans were approved, they could begin building out stations. To date, approximately $3.3 billion has been allocated to states, according to Paren. But the new memo puts that funding in jeopardy. Even states that have approved plans do not have the money in hand — as part of the program, they send invoices to the federal government after meeting key milestones. 'The states don't get the money that's been obligated to them until they submit an invoice to FHWA,' McDonald said. According to the memo, states will continue to receive 'reimbursement of existing obligations.' Experts said that indicates states that already have a contract with a charging company will be able to fulfill it — but any unfinished contracts will probably be on hold. Trump has long railed against what he calls an EV 'mandate,' and he criticized the Biden administration's attempts to create programs to boost electric vehicle sales. In an executive order on the first day of his presidency, Trump ordered the federal government to terminate 'the Green New Deal,' 'including but not limited to funds for electric vehicle charging stations.' Charging station grants were the only specific clean energy program called out in the executive order. The president has continued to target electric vehicles, even while he maintains a close alliance with Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla. Tesla has been a key recipient of charging grants, and it has the largest fast-charger network in the country. But Musk has previously said that cuts to EV benefits, such as the $7,500 EV tax credit, will be more painful for the company's rival automakers than Tesla, even if his company might suffer in the short term. Some states, including Rhode Island, Missouri, Alabama and Oklahoma, had already publicly confirmed that they were pausing their EV charger programs before the memo was released. Barbara LaBoe, the deputy communications director for the Washington State Department of Transportation, said the new order affects most of the $102 million the state had been promised for EV chargers. 'We are still seeking more information about all specifics of this suspension,' she said in an email. The state has no outstanding invoices with the federal government, she added. 'Due to the uncertainty of funding we held off on making any decisions regarding project awards at this time,' she said. Ryan Gallentine, managing director at the national business association Advanced Energy United, said that states 'are under no obligation to stop these projects based solely on this announcement.' 'We call on state DOTs and program administrators to continue executing this program until new guidance is finalized,' Gallentine added. Fewer chargers may affect consumer appetite to buy electric vehicles in the long term, said Gil Tal, director of the Electric Vehicle Research Center at the University of California at Davis. But the Trump administration has already dealt a more immediate blow to the EV market, he added — by moving to roll back rules on car emissions that would have effectively required auto companies to make more electric cars. Some said they believe that the Trump administration's move may provoke legal action. 'I'm assuming the lawsuits from states will start soon, and this will go to court and Congress,' McDonald said. 'But the Trump administration will succeed in just causing havoc and slowing things down for a while.' Maxine Joselow contributed to this report.
