Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on Monday rescinded Biden-era memos that he said called on state agencies to factor a 鈥渟ocial justice and environmental agenda鈥� into infrastructure project decisions.
Former President Joe Biden's administration issued two memos 鈥� in 2021 and 2023 鈥� about using bipartisan infrastructure law funding and including 鈥渄isadvantaged and under-represented groups in the planning, project selection, and design process鈥� for updates to the nation's roads, highways, bridges, transportation hubs and other key infrastructure. The memos said to make these updates while also keeping in mind environmental impacts and a changing climate.
Duffy's office said in a statement that the memos 鈥渁dded meritless and costly burdens related to greenhouse gas emissions and equity initiatives.鈥�
鈥淭he previous administration flouted Congress in an attempt to push a radical social and environmental agenda on the American people,鈥� Duffy added. 鈥淭his was an act of federal overreach. It stops now.鈥�
The federal government's inclusion of addressing environmental health problems specifically in Black, Latino, Indigenous and lower-income neighborhoods goes back to the Clinton era. with targeted investments through the bipartisan funding and Inflation Reduction Act, and programs such as the Justice40 initiative, which required that 40% of the benefits from certain environmental programs go to such hard-hit neighborhoods.
Experts say these communities feel disproportionate impacts from nearby highways, Superfund sites and , and are also often the most vulnerable to the climate change made worse by decades of . These harmful emissions can cause cancer, affect heart and lung health, and contribute to shorter lifespans.
Since returning to the White House, Trump has scrapped and instructed agencies to eliminate related jobs while touting a reversal of . The DOT's statement also aligns with Trump Environmental Protection Agency pick Lee Zeldin鈥檚 pledge to end the use of 鈥渆nvironmental justice.鈥�
Duffy said the policies conflicted with congressional intent and the federal Administrative Procedure Act and have no basis in statute or role in his department's programs going forward.
Duffy, a former Wisconsin congressman and reality television personality, didn't have transportation sector experience before being tapped for Trump's cabinet.
鈥淚t feels like we鈥檙e moving backward in our efforts to ensure that all communities benefit equitably from infrastructure investments,鈥� Roishetta Ozane, who founded the mutual aid and environmental justice organization the Vessel Project of Louisiana, said of Duffy's edict.
She noted that Duffy's dismissal of greenhouse gas emissions and equity initiatives is particularly concerning.
鈥淭he language used not only reflects a regression in policy but also a broader disregard for the voices advocating for a more just and sustainable future,鈥� Ozane added. 鈥淚t鈥檚 disheartening to see a lack of commitment to meaningful change, especially when it comes to ensuring that infrastructure projects serve the needs of all people, not just a select few.鈥�
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Alexa St. John is an Associated Press climate reporter. Follow her on X: . Reach her at [email protected]. Read more of AP鈥檚 climate coverage at .
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The Associated Press鈥� climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP鈥檚 for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at .
Alexa St. John, The Associated Press
