Trump Fights Back Against Biden's EV Agenda: "Constitutional Authority" at Stake
Administration of Trump directed to disburse electric vehicle funds endorsed by Biden to states per judge's decree
Former EPA chief of staff Mandy Gunasekara discusses President Donald Trump's energy policies on 'Varney & Co.'
In a surprising turn of events, a federal judge, Tana Lin (a Biden nominee), has ordered the Trump administration to release billions of dollars in funds that Biden had approved for building electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure in 14 states. The Obama-era judge, in a partial preliminary injunction, has ordered the funds frozen earlier this year by the Trump administration to be distributed to states such as Washington, California, Colorado, Arizona, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.
While the judge has ruled that the Trump administration breached its constitutional authority in pulling funds sanctioned by Congress under the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Lin has noted that Minnesota, Vermont, and the District of Columbia did not provide sufficient evidence to demonstrate that they would suffer "irreparable harm" if the funding were not immediately released.
*TRUMP FACES THE MUSKY WRATH OF ELON MUSK:* A "losing friendship" on the horizon?**
President Donald Trump, often seen as a champion of the carbon-emitting fossil fuel industry, and the pioneer of EV technology, Elon Musk, share a history of camaraderie that seems to be on the brink of collapse.
The sixteen states and D.C. sued the Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration in the Western District of Washington at Seattle last month, taking legal action against the Trump administration's decision to withhold these funds.
"The executive branch treads on legislative authority when it acts contrary to law," the judge declared in her ruling, stating that the Court's responsibility is to remedy such situations, as they arise, and restore the balance of power.
Through Biden's $1 trillion infrastructure deal, Congress had established the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure ("NEVI") Formula Program, which appropriated $5 billion to fund EV charging infrastructure across the nation. Trump, however, ordered federal agencies to stop releasing certain funds appropriated under the IIJA, including those for electric vehicle charging stations, arguing that the Biden administration had inappropriately utilized resources and undermined public trust.
The judge's order, effective July 2, 2022, if not appealed, mandates the Trump administration to release the withheld funds to the 14 states. California's Attorney General, Rob Bonta, applauded the decision, calling it a victory against the Trump administration's "unconstitutional attempt" to disregard the bipartisan EV infrastructure formula program. The Trump administration plans to appeal the order within a week.
"The Trump Administration is beholden to the fossil fuel agenda," Bonta stated, accusing the administration of wielding the powers of big oil for personal gains.
This incident highlights the ongoing power struggle between branches of government, with the judiciary upholding the importance of legislative decisions and the executive branch's obligation to adhere to them. The development also underscores the importance of EV infrastructure in the nation's long-term energy policy, with both the Obama and Biden administrations prioritizing clean energy initiatives.
- The judge, Tana Lin, has ordered the release of billions of dollars in funds intended for building electric vehicle infrastructure in 14 states, which were previously frozen by the Trump administration.
- Criticizing the Trump administration, California's Attorney General, Rob Bonta, stated that the administration's actions were an unconstitutional attempt to disregard the bipartisan electric vehicle infrastructure formula program.
- Biden's $1 trillion infrastructure deal established the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure ("NEVI") Formula Program, which appropriated $5 billion to fund EV charging infrastructure across the nation.
- Trump, however, ordered federal agencies to stop releasing certain funds appropriated under the IIJA, including those for electric vehicle charging stations, arguing that the Biden administration had inappropriately utilized resources and undermined public trust.
- Elon Musk, a pioneer of EV technology, appears to be at odds with President Donald Trump, who is often associated with the carbon-emitting fossil fuel industry.
- This incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing power struggle between branches of government, with the judiciary upholding the importance of legislative decisions and the executive branch's obligation to adhere to them.
- The renewable-energy industry and electric-vehicle policies have become focal points in policy-and-legislation and general-news discussions, reflecting the growing significance of clean energy initiatives in lifestyle, finance, and the economy.
