(Radio Iowa) – The director of the Iowa Department of Transportation says they have seen some federal programs put on pause. Scott Marler says that includes the New Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program. “They put a hold on the NEVI funding, pending some additional guidance that we expect to come out later this year. And these are the electric chargers. And so they have paused that program pending some further guidance,” Marler says. The D-O-T had announced 16 million federal dollars would go to 28 projects to install electric vehicle charges across the state. D-O-T planner Stuart Anderson tells Radio Iowa that money has not gone out yet. Anderson says federal officials say they will announce new NEVI guidelines this spring. Director Marler also talked about other federal programs that are on hold right now.

(DOT graphic of proposed EV charge sites)

“These include programs like the Protect program, the low and no emission transit vehicle program, the rail crossing elimination program, commercial driver’s license and motor carrier safety programs,” he says. Marler says the payments for ongoing roadwork are not being held up. “The weekly contractor reimbursement program that we process these reimbursements through the Federal Highway Administration for Iowa’s road construction program, highway construction program. Those have continued and are continuing at this time,” Marler says.

Marler made his comments during an update Tuesday at the Transportation Commission’s meeting.