December 20, 2024
Capitol Hill Transportation News
- FAA chief resigns, opening another spot for a Trump pick – Mike Whitaker’s resignation comes at a time of turmoil for the agency, which is facing air traffic controller shortages and aging equipment.
- USDOT Awards $139M in High-Tech Transportation Grants – The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded $139 million in Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation Program (SMART) grants to 42 states for high-tech projects to improve efficiency and safety.
U.S. Department of Transportation News
- Trump and California draw battle lines around electric cars – The Biden administration approved California’s stricter-than-federal vehicle emissions standards that require automakers to sell more electric vehicles, before effectively banning the sale of new gas-powered cars in 2035. The incoming Trump administration is expected to reverse this decision next year.
- Trump team wants to scrap car-crash reporting rule that Tesla opposes – This move could cripple the government’s ability to investigate and regulate the safety of vehicles with automated-driving systems.
- Maryland Department of Transportation to invest $30 million for 29 new electric vehicle charges – The stations will be built along 23 EV Alternative Fuel Corridors, which include interstates and major highways across the state.
