SE Wyoming News

U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis has introduced the Highway Funding Flexibility Act, a legislative measure aimed at reallocating funds from a Biden-era initiative to support infrastructure projects in Wyoming. The bill seeks to redirect money initially set aside for electric vehicle (EV) charger initiatives under the Biden administration's Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

Senator Lummis expressed her stance on the issue: “For far too long, the people of Wyoming were forced to endure Biden’s radical EV mandates that dedicated their hard-earned tax dollars toward Green New Deal initiatives that do not effectively serve the state of Wyoming,” she said. “My legislation frees up these funds to address Wyoming’s actual transportation needs without adding to the national debt, rather than forcing Biden-era EV mandates on the Cowboy State.”

The original funding plan allocated $5 billion for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program and an additional $2.5 billion for the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Discretionary Grant Program, totaling $7.5 billion between fiscal years 2022 and 2026.

In February, former President Trump paused this program, allowing Congress to consider redirecting these funds. The Highway Funding Flexibility Act is designed to ensure that Wyoming can utilize these funds for its highway infrastructure needs, which include roads, bridges, truck parking, and wildlife crossings. Eligible activities under this bill encompass engineering, design, construction, reconstruction, resurfacing, restoration, and rehabilitation.

Text for the bill can be found here.