The construction industry faces a changing landscape, as the Trump administration proposes the remodeling of some of the most striking federal policies in the country.
With changes in infrastructure priorities, regulatory journeys and economic changes, contractors and developers are preparing for both new opportunities and possible setbacks. Some sectors, such as data centers and infrastructure, are planned for rapid growth, while clean energy projects and high -speed railroads could see federal support decrease. Other types of projects have a mixed or uncertain perspective under the new administration.
Then the immersion of the construction looks at the sectors willing to lose momentum under Trump’s second term. Click here to see the sectors that are willing to gain momentum.
Wind, solar energy
The Order of North -American Energy of Trump seeks to accelerate energy projects, but above all leave the expanding solar and wind sectors out 14% of the country’s electricity supplyAccording to the Administration of Energy Information.
Trump’s anger has long been directed to wind power, although the biggest producers are red states, according to EIA. To that end, he signed an autonomous executive order that temporarily suspends new or renewed leases contracts High sea wind projects and the coastAnd he stopped renting wind energy projects on the Foreign Continental Platform, waiting for a review of federal agencies.
Among the main open questions around the order is if there is projects that have already received permits They are in danger, according to Grist. Eg has it the development of the Ladge Lavge of 100,000 hectares Project in Idah, reported Idaho Capital Sun.
The order also directs the selection of the administration for the Secretary of the Interior, the former North Dakota governor, Doug Burgum, to direct a comprehensive evaluation of the federal wind rental and the practices of permission. From 2023, The wind generated 36% of North Dakota powerAccording to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Despite the order, many Renewable energy giants seemed to spoil Out of Trump’s actions, CNBC reported.
It is difficult to know what will happen with solar energy. They could be new solar projects struck strongly by china ratesA crucial source of parts, according to Politico. However, wind, solar and other clean energy projects could be declined if Trump weakens environmental laws to accelerate construction construction.
“In discussions with construction customers and industry leaders, there is a general consensus that both ‘traditional’ energy sources and the greenest energy play a role in play in a wider energy landscape,” he said Kassalen.
High speed railway
According to Holland and Knight, railway and high -speed rail projects supported through the Biden administration could obtain reduced federal support by Trump. In addition, public transport systems, which are based on federal funding, could struggle to ensure the money needed to expand their systems due to the financing cuts in discretionary transport.
Funding IIJA for railway projects could be affected in particular, wrote Holland and Knight experts.
“The Congressional Administration and Republicans may try to compensate for the annual financing of passenger railways through advanced appropriations provided by the IIJA, which included $ 66 million in advanced appropriations for railway projects,” according to the document.
EV and batteries
Trump’s hostile attitude toward the EVS does not seem softened after Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk Eliminate the “Electric Vehicle (EV). “It is aimed specifically at the IIJA Fund for electric vehicle charging stations through the National Program for Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formulas and the Discretionary Subsidies Program of the Loading and Food Infrastructure, worth 7.5 billion. of dollars.
Although Trump wants to stop the non -accredited funding for these programs, legal experts say he probably does not have power. To do —Thi probably Violates the law of drivingsomething that prevents presidents from blocking the expense that Congress has appropriated, according to CNN. However, Trump has used his power to terminate Biden’s executive order, asking that half of all new vehicles sold will be electric for 2030.
However, North -Americans are too committed to the EVs, and to build plants that make them and batteries to remove it completely, regardless of what changes are able to implement Trump, according to CNN. Although Iija projects are awaiting, EV MONEY is in Pipeline: Biden announced an additional $ 635 million for supply projects January 10 before leaving the post, following $ 521 million in subsidies in August 2024.
Water
Water infrastructure is still an area of concern across the country, as expanding cities and megaprojects like the Data Center campuses intend to squeeze their thirst. Although the Trump administration has promoted data centers, it has said little about the large amounts of water needed to direct.
If your past actions are an indication of future plans, Trump will try to re -throw the law of clean water And leave the regulation of smaller navigable roads in the states, according to the New York Times. Previously, the President also directed the federal funding to Rural Water Water Water and Water Infrastructure Projects.
During the first term, the Trump administration studied the subject of substances by and polyphluoroalquil, or pfas, in drinking water and its EPA was generally in favor of regulationAccording to Waterworld. Megacontractors like Jacobs and Aecom have called for more PFAS cleaning work in recent years. However, the order of January 20 of Trump, Review of Running Regulatory FreezingHe stopped the proposed rules that have been sent to the Federal Registry Office, including a Biden administration proposal to establish limits on PFAS in effluent with high limits.
At the moment, water projects funded by the IIja could have trouble receiving funds, but because Water infrastructure initiatives do not seem to conflict With the objectives of Trump’s policy, “EPA apparently retains power to advance the SRF dollars suitable for the appropriate SRF by IIJA,” said the Association of Water Metropolitan Agencies in an informative session on January 27.
