Judge Defies Biden: Orders Release of Billions in EV Charging Funds

Paul Riverbank, 6/26/2025 In a landmark ruling, Judge Lin orders the release of billions in EV charger funding to 14 states, challenging federal authority to withhold infrastructure funds. This decision not only impacts America's green initiatives but also redefines the balance of power between state and federal governments in infrastructure development.

Lin's order to release billions in EV charger funding to 14 states isn't just about the money – though we're talking serious cash here. It's about the fundamental question of who gets to call the shots when Congress has already spoken. The judge didn't mince words: federal agencies can't simply pause programs Congress has authorized and funded.

I've watched New York's struggles with their charging network firsthand. The state's been counting on roughly $120 million of their $175 million allocation, and this freeze hit them like a brick wall. Construction crews literally packed up and left half-finished sites when the money stopped flowing.

But here's what fascinates me: not every state got relief. D.C., Minnesota, and Vermont came up empty-handed because they couldn't prove "irreparable harm." That's the kind of legal nuance that makes these cases so compelling – and so frustrating for state planners trying to build out green infrastructure.

California AG Rob Bonta's reaction was predictably triumphant. But between the lines of his statement about "executive branch overreach," there's a legitimate concern about federal authorities moving the goalposts after states have already started playing the game.

Let's be real about the challenges here. Even with funding flowing again, states face a maze of technical hurdles. I spoke with contractors in Arizona last month who described permitting delays that would make your head spin. One told me they spent more time dealing with paperwork than actually installing charging stations.

The July 2 deadline for implementing the court's order looms large. While the Federal Highway Administration stays quiet about potential appeals, state planners are already dusting off their blueprints. But they're doing so cautiously – nobody wants to get burned twice by another sudden funding freeze.

This ruling matters beyond just EV infrastructure. It sets a precedent for how federal agencies can – or rather, cannot – unilaterally pause congressionally mandated programs. In today's politically charged environment, that's a significant guardrail.

The irony isn't lost on me: a program meant to accelerate America's green transition got tangled in the very red tape it was supposed to cut through. As states rev up their EV plans again, they're doing so with one eye on the rearview mirror, watching for any signs of federal intervention.

This isn't just about charging stations anymore. It's about trust between federal and state governments, about the limits of executive authority, and ultimately, about America's ability to modernize its infrastructure in an increasingly complex political landscape.

The latest chapter in America's electric vehicle saga unfolded last week in a Seattle courtroom, where U.S. District Judge Tana Lin's ruling sent ripples through both state capitals and Washington's corridors of power. Having covered infrastructure battles for two decades, I've rarely seen a decision that so clearly exposes the fault lines between federal authority and state rights.Lin's order to release billions in EV charger funding to 14 states isn't just about the money – though we're talking serious cash here. It's about the fundamental question of who gets to call the shots when Congress has already spoken. The judge didn't mince words: federal agencies can't simply pause programs Congress has authorized and funded.I've watched New York's struggles with their charging network firsthand. The state's been counting on roughly $120 million of their $175 million allocation, and this freeze hit them like a brick wall. Construction crews literally packed up and left half-finished sites when the money stopped flowing.But here's what fascinates me: not every state got relief. D.C., Minnesota, and Vermont came up empty-handed because they couldn't prove "irreparable harm." That's the kind of legal nuance that makes these cases so compelling – and so frustrating for state planners trying to build out green infrastructure.California AG Rob Bonta's reaction was predictably triumphant. But between the lines of his statement about "executive branch overreach," there's a legitimate concern about federal authorities moving the goalposts after states have already started playing the game.Let's be real about the challenges here. Even with funding flowing again, states face a maze of technical hurdles. I spoke with contractors in Arizona last month who described permitting delays that would make your head spin. One told me they spent more time dealing with paperwork than actually installing charging stations.The July 2 deadline for implementing the court's order looms large. While the Federal Highway Administration stays quiet about potential appeals, state planners are already dusting off their blueprints. But they're doing so cautiously – nobody wants to get burned twice by another sudden funding freeze.This ruling matters beyond just EV infrastructure. It sets a precedent for how federal agencies can – or rather, cannot – unilaterally pause congressionally mandated programs. In today's politically charged environment, that's a significant guardrail.The irony isn't lost on me: a program meant to accelerate America's green transition got tangled in the very red tape it was supposed to cut through. As states rev up their EV plans again, they're doing so with one eye on the rearview mirror, watching for any signs of federal intervention.This isn't just about charging stations anymore. It's about trust between federal and state governments, about the limits of executive authority, and ultimately, about America's ability to modernize its infrastructure in an increasingly complex political landscape.