The year 2021 has been a landmark year for US infrastructure, with unprecedented investments in various sectors. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for robust infrastructure to sustain public health and the economy, leading to significant investments in this crucial area.
In March 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act was signed into law, which includes $350 billion for state, local, and tribal governments to support COVID-19 response efforts and invest in critical infrastructure. The bill also includes $30 billion for public transit, $10 billion for airports, and $8 billion for the Postal Service.
The Biden administration has also proposed a massive $2 trillion infrastructure plan called the American Jobs Plan. This plan aims to revitalize the nation’s infrastructure, create millions of jobs, and improve the quality of life for Americans. The plan includes investments in transportation, water, energy, and broadband infrastructure, as well as funding for climate change mitigation and resilience efforts.
One of the main goals of the American Jobs Plan is to modernize the nation’s transportation infrastructure. The plan includes $621 billion for transportation infrastructure, including $115 billion for modernizing bridges, highways, and roads, and $85 billion for public transit. The plan also includes $174 billion for electric vehicle infrastructure, including the installation of 500,000 electric vehicle charging stations.
Water infrastructure is another critical area of focus in the American Jobs Plan. The plan includes $111 billion for water infrastructure, including $45 billion to replace lead pipes and service lines and $56 billion for modernizing water systems.
The American Jobs Plan also includes significant investments in energy infrastructure, with $100 billion allocated for grid modernization and the deployment of clean energy technologies. The plan also includes $35 billion for research and development of next-generation clean energy technologies.
Finally, the American Jobs Plan includes $100 billion for broadband infrastructure, aiming to ensure that every American has access to affordable and reliable high-speed internet. In conclusion, the year 2021 has been a landmark year for US infrastructure, with unprecedented investments in various sectors.
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the critical importance of robust infrastructure to sustain public health and the economy. The American Rescue Plan Act and the American Jobs Plan are critical steps in the right direction, providing much-needed funding for modernizing and revitalizing the nation’s infrastructure. These investments will create millions of jobs, improve the quality of life for Americans, and ensure that the US remains competitive in the global economy
References:
H.R. 1319 – American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. (2021). 117th Congress of the United States of America. Retrieved from https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/1319/text
The White House. (2021). The American Jobs Plan. Retrieved from https://www.whitehouse.gov/american-jobs-plan/
The White House. (2021). Fact Sheet: The American Jobs Plan. Retrieved from https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/03/31/fact-sheet-the-american-jobs-plan/
United States Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. (2021). Transportation Infrastructure. Retrieved from https://www.epw.senate.gov/transportation-infrastructure
The White House. (2021). Fact Sheet: Biden-Harris Administration’s Investments in Water Infrastructure. Retrieved from https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/06/02/fact-sheet-biden-harris-administrations-investments-in-water-infrastructure/
The White House. (2021). Fact Sheet: The American Jobs Plan and Clean Energy. Retrieved from https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/04/22/fact-sheet-the-american-jobs-plan-and-clean-energy/
The White House. (2021). Fact Sheet: The American Jobs Plan and Broadband. Retrieved from https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/03/31/fact-sheet-the-american-jobs-plan-and-broadband/
