Attorney General Mayes is taking a stand against the Trump administration by joining forces with a group of 16 attorneys general and the governor of Pennsylvania. They have filed a lawsuit aiming to obtain $15 million in federal funding meant for the installation of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure in Phoenix. The suspension of two grant programs by the federal government is at the center of this legal battle, which could have major implications for the city's clean energy initiatives, according to a statement obtained by the Arizona Attorney General's Office.
In a determined effort to hold the federal government accountable, Mayes commented, "I've already protected more than $1.5 billion for Arizona by filing these lawsuits and forcing the federal government to cough up the funding it lawfully owes us." The funds were allocated for Phoenix, and Mayes insists, "the President doesn't have the right to step in and take it away." This legal action is not solely for the benefit of Phoenix; other communities like Mesa, Cochise County, and the San Carlos Apache Tribal Nation have previously received and implemented such funds. Without the expected $15 million, Phoenix’s plan to install nearly 150 EV charging ports and other sustainable charging solutions is in jeopardy.
The CFI grant was a pivotal part of the Arizona Governor’s Office of Resiliency Clean Arizona Plan, outlined in 2024 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The funding was earmarked for Phoenix—home to nearly half of the state’s EVs—to bolster public access to EV charging facilities and to incorporate renewable solutions like solar-powered charging stations and solar-paneled parking structures. However, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and the Federal Highway Administration have declined any new funding obligations under the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Program (CFI) and the Electric Vehicle Charger Reliability and Accessibility Accelerator Program (Accelerator) since spring 2025, without any clear justification or notice.
Mayes, along with a coalition of attorneys general and one governor, is suggesting that the Trump administration’s refusal to allocate the appropriated funds undermines the very structure of U.S. governance, encroaching upon constitutional separation of powers. This not only halts the progress of projects underway but also threatens the potential for future green initiatives. The complaint, as per the Arizona Attorney General's Office, asks the court, "The complaint asks the court to declare that the defendants’ actions are unlawful and to permanently stop the administration from withholding these funds." The coalition speaks with a unified voice, representing states and communities across the nation, vested in the shared mission of environmental stewardship and responsible governance.
With the fate of Phoenix's EV infrastructure hanging in the balance, this lawsuit marks a critical moment for Arizona and the nation in the ongoing conversation about federal responsibility and sustainable development. As legal proceedings unfold, all eyes are on how this will shape the future of EV charging infrastructure across the United States. Moreover, this will serve as a litmus test for the administration's adherence to legislative intent and environmental commitments.
