Sean Duffy, the newly confirmed U.S. Secretary of Transportation, has hit the ground running with a series of significant policy shifts and decisions that are reshaping the transportation landscape. Confirmed by the Senate on January 28 with a vote of 77-22, Duffy has quickly implemented changes aligned with the Trump Administration's executive orders.
One of the most notable actions taken by Duffy is the rollback of several environmental and emissions regulations put in place by the Biden administration. He has ordered a review of fuel-economy standards for vehicles from the 2022 model year onward, which had required automakers to achieve an average of 50.4 miles per gallon across their new-car fleets by the 2031 model year. Additionally, Duffy rescinded a rule that required state transportation departments to measure carbon dioxide emissions on federally supported highways, arguing that this was not within the scope of the USDOT to issue[1][3].
These changes have already had a ripple effect on the automotive industry. Stellantis NV has postponed its first all-electric Ram pickup and pulled back from plans to lay off workers at a Jeep plant in Ohio. Volkswagen has also announced that it will no longer bring its ID.7 electric sedan to the U.S. market. Analysts at BloombergNEF have subsequently lowered their forecasts for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicle sales, now expecting plug-in models to represent one-third of total U.S. sales by 2030, down from their previous projection of 48%[1].
Duffy has also signed a “Woke Rescission” Memorandum, directing officials to eliminate Biden-era programs related to climate change, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, racial equity, and environmental justice. This move aligns with the Trump administration's broader effort to remove DEI programs from the federal government. The DOT and FAA have already removed mentions of DEI from their websites[1][4].
During his confirmation hearing, Duffy emphasized his focus on addressing critical issues such as Boeing's safety concerns, air traffic controller shortages, and consumer regulations. He promised to restore global confidence in Boeing, suggesting the company needed “tough love.” Duffy also indicated that he would re-evaluate fines on space launches, which have affected companies like Elon Musk’s SpaceX[4].
In terms of innovation, Duffy has expressed a strong commitment to advancing technologies such as drones, autonomous vehicles, and electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. He sees the Department of Transportation as a hub for innovation and aims to create rules that will make the U.S. the best place for these technologies to thrive[1].
Duffy's background is diverse, having served as a Congressman from Wisconsin’s 7th District for ten years and previously as the District Attorney of Ashland County, Wisconsin. He has also had a career in television, hosting the Fox Business show “The Bottom Line with Dagen and Duffy” after leaving Congress. His unique blend of political, legal, and media experience is expected to shape his approach to transportation policy[2][4].
Overall, Secretary Duffy's early actions signal a significant shift in transportation policy, emphasizing economic growth, merit-based hiring, and a reduced focus on environmental and social initiatives. These changes are likely to have far-reaching implications for the automotive industry, transportation infrastructure, and the broader environmental agenda.
