District Court Dismisses Alstom’s Challenge to FRA Grant of Buy America Waiver to Brightline West

Alstom Transportation’s lawsuit challenging the decision of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to grant a Buy America waiver to Brightline West for its purchase of rolling stock from Siemens Mobility was dismissed on December 16, 2025. The court concluded that Alstom lacked standing, in principal part because any injuries Alstom suffered were caused not by FRA, but by Brightline’s independent decision to contract with Siemens rather than Alstom. If the court’s decision is not vacated on appeal, its reasoning suggests ways that project sponsors can insulate Buy America waivers from lawsuits challenging them.

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