In a significant move, Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell has taken action against the Trump Administration by joining forces with a coalition of 17 states, all backing a lawsuit that confronts the federal government's alleged illegal suspension of nearly $2 billion in funding designated for electric vehicle charging infrastructure. This financial support, essential for fostering pollution reduction, clean vehicle access, and green job creation, has been stifled with neither explanation nor notice from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), as reported by the Massachusetts Government's official news release.
According to the lawsuit, which AG Campbell is a part of, the USDOT has been accused of refusing to approve any new funds under two programs—the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) and the Electric Vehicle Charger Reliability and Accessibility Accelerator (Accelerator) Program—since spring 2025, despite those programs being part of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA). AG Campbell has made it clear that “The Trump Administration cannot disregard its responsibility to spend money appropriated by Congress simply because they don’t like the program being funded,” as noted by the Massachusetts Government. She also intends to hold the Administration accountable for their alleged unlawful actions, endangering both economic progress and environmental longevity.
In the January of 2025, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) was awarded $14.4 million in CFI grants, which were intended to implement approximately 458 Level 2 charging ports along with 14 Level 3 charging points across nearly 30 locations. These charging stations, essential for supporting Massachusetts's emission reduction efforts, have been left without the obligated $14.4 million due to the Administration's refusal to release the Congress-appropriated funds, causing a significant delay in the state's eco-friendly initiatives. The grant, aimed to serve as an asset for both daytime commuters and neighborhood residents during off-hours, looms in uncertainty.
The legal action seeks to challenge the Trump Administration’s dispensation of the funds, which AG Campbell asserts is violating both the separation of powers and the Administrative Procedure Act. The complaint is pushing the court to declare the Administration's withholding of funds as unlawful and to permanently prohibit such actions. Joining Massachusetts in this legal venture is a united front comprising states such as Arizona, California, Colorado, and others, along with Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro.
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