• "Transportation Secretary Duffy Reverses Fuel Standards and Woke Policies to Prioritize Affordability and Economic Growth"

  • Feb 20 2025
  • Length: 3 mins
  • Podcast

"Transportation Secretary Duffy Reverses Fuel Standards and Woke Policies to Prioritize Affordability and Economic Growth"

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  • Summary

  • U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has made significant headlines in the last few days with a series of sweeping changes and policy reversals since his confirmation and swearing-in on January 28, 2025. One of his first actions was to direct the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to propose resetting the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for model year 2027-2032 passenger cars and light-duty trucks. This move aims to lower the price of cars for American consumers by reducing the burdensome and overly restrictive fuel standards that had driven up vehicle costs to push a rapid electrification agenda set by the previous administration[4][5].

    Secretary Duffy's actions align with President Trump's executive orders, particularly Executive Order 14148, titled "Initial Rescissions of Harmful Executive Orders and Actions," and Executive Order 14154, titled "Unleashing American Energy." These orders are part of a broader effort to roll back regulatory initiatives from the prior administration and focus on economic analysis and cost-benefit considerations in transportation policy[1][5].

    On January 29, 2025, Secretary Duffy issued a memorandum and order that outlined significant policy shifts. He directed the elimination of all Biden-era programs, policies, activities, rules, and orders that promoted climate change activism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, racial equity, gender identity policies, and environmental justice. This "Woke Rescission" Memorandum aligns with President Trump's agenda to eliminate what are seen as partisan and ideologically driven policies[2].

    Additionally, Secretary Duffy has taken steps to ensure that all USDOT policies, grants, loans, and actions are based on sound economic principles and positive cost-benefit analyses. This includes rescinding the Biden-Harris Administration’s rule requiring state transportation departments to measure and establish declining targets for carbon dioxide emissions on federally supported highways. This rule had previously been rescinded during the first Trump Administration but was reinstated by the Biden Administration[2].

    In another significant move, the U.S. Department of Transportation, under Secretary Duffy's leadership, terminated the tolling approval for New York City's Cordon Pricing Program. This decision reflects the administration's commitment to reducing regulatory burdens and ensuring that transportation policies prioritize efficiency and economic growth rather than ideological considerations[3].

    Secretary Duffy's actions have been framed as a return to "commonsense governance" and a focus on safety, efficiency, and economic prosperity. He emphasized that the American people deserve an efficient, safe, and pro-growth transportation system based on sound decision-making rather than political ideologies. These changes mark a significant shift in USDOT’s approach to regulation, economic policy, and government oversight, aligning closely with President Trump’s mission to restore merit-based opportunities and ensure economic prosperity for the American people[2][5].
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