The U.S. DOT has rolled back a Biden-era policy that included environmental and social considerations in federally funded infrastructure projects, according to a Monday memo from the agency. The move rescinds two Federal Highway Administration memos, issued in 2021 and 2023, both titled “Policy on Using Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Resources to Build a Better America.” Former President Joe Biden’s policy advised state and local agencies receiving funds from the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to prioritize projects that advance equity and environmental goals. The recission memo states that that policy will have no role in DOT programs going forward. The rescission is the latest effort from the Trump administration to dismantle Biden’s signature policies. Previously, the DOT announced that Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy had authorized a series of actions to advance President Donald Trump’s agenda to “rescind woke policies” and roll back regulations. In January for example, the DOT said it would give grant preferences to “communities with marriage and birth rates higher than the national average.”
https://www.constructiondive.com/news/dot-removes-equity-environmental-criteria/742173/