In a move that's set to shake up environmental policy, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy has decisively cut a Biden-era greenhouse gas rule. The ruling, seen as a major deregulatory action, was completed with notable speed, less than three months into the latest Trump administration. Duffy's rationale is grounded in rejecting what he perceives as political agendas obstructing critical infrastructure development, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.
"Under President Trump’s leadership, we are going to build great, big, beautiful things again. I slashed this ridiculous climate requirement to ensure no radical political agenda gets in the way of revitalizing America’s highways," Duffy stated, as quoted by the Department of Transportation's announcement.
This rollback has been met with support from various industry groups, including the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). Jim Tymon, AASHTO's Executive Director, expressed the organization’s approval, "AASHTO appreciates the US Department of Transportation’s action to repeal a performance measure rule that was considered by Congress as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act negotiations in 2021 and was ultimately excluded from enacted legislation. The state DOTs look forward to working with USDOT on implementing existing national-level performance measures approved by law in 2012 for safety, pavement, bridge, and system performance," he said in a declaration echoed by the Department of Transportation.
Also joining in the chorus of approval was the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA). President and CEO Dave Bauer offered his praise, stating, "ARTBA members commend Transportation Secretary Duffy and President Trump for ending an unnecessary, ideologically driven mandate that would have placed new burdens on mobility solutions. Repealing the GHG rule removes a regulatory burden that would have increased project costs and imposed Washington, D.C., priorities on state transportation decisions," his words reflecting the relief of industry professionals at the rule's recission, as per the Transportation Department's press release.
