NEWSLINE

DOT Issues Proposed Buy America Waiver for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

On Aug. 31, the Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration released a proposed waiver of Buy America requirements for the construction of electric vehicle chargers receiving federal assistance.

The $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, signed into law in November 2021, included the “Build America, Buy America Act,” which expanded and made significant changes to Buy America requirements for federally funded infrastructure projects. The IIJA broadens Buy America preferences to include nonferrous metals, such as copper used in electric wiring; plastic- and polymer-based products; glass, including optical fiber; and certain other construction materials, such as lumber and drywall. The IIJA also includes $7.5 billion for EV charging stations with the goal of installing 500,000 EV charging stations by 2030.

The waiver would take a phased approach to establishing Buy America requirements for federally assisted EV charger projects. Initially, it would waive Buy America requirements for all EV chargers. Starting on Jan. 1, 2023, EV chargers assembled outside of the United States would not be covered by the waiver. From July 1, 2023, EV chargers would need to contain 25% American-made components by cost to qualify for the waiver. Finally, on Jan. 1, 2024, this number would increase to 55%. The waiver would then stay in place until terminated by the DOT.

Comments on the proposed waiver are due by Sept. 30 and can be submitted using regulations.gov.

NCCER Announces Nationwide Expansion of Free Career Exploration Website

Through its Build Your Future initiative, NCCER is expanding its career exploration tool, CareerStarter, to provide direct connections between entry-level job seekers, local training programs and employers.

On the CareerStarter platform:

• Students and job seekers can explore potential career paths, then find the right educational or work

opportunities to help them take their next steps. • Employers can find talent for their company by building a business profile, posting free and unlimited entry-level job listings and using the automatic candidate matching feature. • Educators can promote their training programs while monitoring students’ activity on the tool and tracking the direct success stories of their program. CareerStarter has already helped hundreds of future craft professionals take their first steps into the construction field. Its free to individuals, schools, employers and training programs.

To check out CareerStarter, visit careerstarter.byf.org.