Oregon’s infrastructure, employment, and finance will all be impacted by President Donald Trump’s antagonistic stance toward sustainable transportation. Trump’s unilateral orders to halt federal support for electric vehicles remain in effect even after he lifted the initial moratorium.
Initiatives to combat climate change, generate jobs, and boost Oregon’s economy, as well as important infrastructure upgrades, are in peril.
The following is a partial list of funds at risk:
-
$52 million for ODOT
to build public electric vehicle fast charging stations along major roads, to become part of a nationwide network;
-
$15 million for a city of Tualatin-led project
to install up to 500 Level 2 networked EV chargers at over 125 unique sites across 17 different cities in the state.
-
$21 million toinstall electric vehicle charging stations and hydrogen fueling stations for trucks along Interstate 5
and other key freight routes.
-
$11 million to bolster theCommunity Charging Rebates Program for EV charging stations at apartments, workplaces and public parking areas
.
-
$31 million for Oregon sEV rebate program for low and moderate income drivers
.
-
$14 million for medium and heavy duty vehicle rebates
to help the state s fleets transition away from diesel trucks.
We urge our elected representatives in Oregon to make sure the administration upholds contracts awarded and executed under laws enacted by Congress, such as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act.
Allen Jeff, Lake Oswego
Allen is the executive director of Forth, a group that promotes electrifying transportation and is based in Portland.
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