NE Washington News

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee Chair Jeff Duncan (R-SC), and Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chair Morgan Griffith (R-VA) have raised concerns over the Biden administration's handling of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula and the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Discretionary Grant programs.

In a statement, the Republican leaders highlighted the slow progress of the programs, stating, "Despite recent award announcements, little progress has been made in the buildout of electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure." They pointed out delays in charger delivery, concerns from States about labor contracting requirements, and the limited distribution of awards from the CFI Discretionary Grant Program.

The lawmakers posed several questions to Department of Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, including inquiries about the number of EV chargers expected to be constructed in 2024 using program funds and steps being taken to prevent federal dollars from benefiting Chinese interests.

The Energy & Commerce Committee members also sought information on the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation's review of State plans to avoid overbuilding private sector investments, ensuring charging stations receive maximum usage, expediting the review of State plans, and details about the office's staffing and budget.

The Republican leaders stressed the importance of transparency and accountability in the administration's management of EV infrastructure programs. They underscored the need to address the challenges and inefficiencies in the implementation of these initiatives to effectively support the growth of electric vehicle technology in the United States.

For more details, the full letter from the Energy & Commerce Committee to Secretaries Granholm and Buttigieg can be accessed by clicking [here](link).