Fireside Chat: Election results will not change zero-emission project funding

Former DOT official discusses momentum of historic Biden-era climate legislation

This fireside chat recap is from FreightWaves’ Net-Zero Carbon Summit on Wednesday.

FIRESIDE CHAT TOPIC: The effect of Biden’s climate policy on transportation projects.

DETAILS: EpicWorks Advisors’ Andrew Wishnia discusses how billions of dollars in government spending is helping freight- and pedestrian-centric transportation projects work together to reduce emissions.

KEY QUOTES FROM ANDREW WISHNIA:

“When we’re talking about the resources in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, by and large, many of those investments will not get touched as a result of the presidential election, no matter who wins.”

“There could be circumstances and there will be [policy] conversations on the edges related to [funding cuts in] the Inflation Reduction Act, but I think those conversations are going to be few and far between, because at the end of the day, these investments touch both blue states and red states.”

“There is no question that the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law would not have come about but for [President Joe Biden]. But what can also be true is that the run-up to these types of transformational pieces of legislation had a lot of thought leaders, and that leadership existed many years prior.”

“If you are supporting bike networks and pedestrian networks, then you’re also supporting first-mile and last-mile uses – different applications to reduce emissions where you may not need to deadhead medium- and heavy-duty trucks into a city. You may be able to downsize your fleet, and thereby create efficiencies for your business and reduce pollution in your community.”

Click for more FreightWaves articles by John Gallagher.

Upcoming FreightWaves Events
Compliance

Brokerage Compliance Symposium

The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.

October 26, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
Awards

F3 Awards Dinner

The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.

October 26, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
FreightTech

F3: Future of Freight Festival

Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.

October 27, 2026 – October 28, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
Compliance Brokerage Compliance Symposium Oct 26 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now
Awards F3 Awards Dinner Oct 26 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now
FreightTech F3: Future of Freight Festival Oct 27 – Oct 28 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now

John Gallagher

Based in Washington, D.C., John specializes in regulation and legislation affecting all sectors of freight transportation. He has covered rail, trucking and maritime issues since 1993 for a variety of publications based in the U.S. and the U.K. John began business reporting in 1993 at Broadcasting & Cable Magazine. He graduated from Florida State University majoring in English and business.