U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on Monday rescinded two Biden-era memos that directed states to consider social and environmental factors in infrastructure projects.
The memos, issued in 2021 and 2023, encouraged state agencies to include disadvantaged communities in planning and project selection for federally funded transportation improvements. They also emphasized reducing environmental impact and accounting for climate change.
Duffy’s office said the memos “displaced the long-standing authorities granted to states by law, added meritless and costly burdens related to greenhouse gas emissions and equity initiatives.”
For decades, federal policies have acknowledged that Black, Latino, Indigenous and lower-income communities often face disproportionate environmental risks.
Experts say these communities experience disproportionate harm from nearby highways, Superfund sites and petrochemical plants, and are frequently the most vulnerable to the worsening effects of climate change driven by years of pollution.
The Biden administration expanded these efforts through targeted investments, including the Justice40 initiative, which aimed to direct 40% of benefits from certain federal programs to historically affected neighborhoods.
Since taking office, the administration has rolled back several environmental and equity-focused policies. The Department of Transportation’s decision aligns with a broader effort to reduce federal initiatives related to environmental protection efforts.
The DOT has not announced whether new guidance will replace the rescinded policies.
Source: AP News, The Hill
