There’s a lot to like in Biden’s $2 trillion infrastructure plan
Today the Biden Administration proposed a $2 trillion infrastructure plan designed to reshape our U.S. economy, create jobs, and address racial inequities—all while addressing climate change.
Some are calling it our nation’s largest ever federal effort to cut carbon emissions. And good news for the South, specifically, is that It would also address the deteriorating roads and bridges—and lack of broadband access—that many of us experience daily. And it would provide extensive funding to electrify transportation, which is the largest source of carbon pollution nationwide.
“We’ll be digging into all the details, but at first look, there’s a lot to like,” says Nat Mund, Director of SELC’s Washington, D.C. Office and Director of Federal Affairs. “The proposal announced by the Biden Administration today offers a transformative vision of rebuilding our country’s crumbling infrastructure in ways that respond to and mitigate the climate crisis for all Americans. “
Below are some initial highlights that bolster a healthy environment.
Improving clean water infrastructure
- Replace all lead pipes in the country
- New investments in drinking water and wastewater infrastructure
- $10 billion to test and clean up PFAS, or “forever chemicals”
Improving transportation infrastructure
- $115 billion to repair existing roads and bridges
- $85 billion for transit
- $80 billion for rail
- $25 billion for regional projects encompassing multiple states
- $20 billion to address historical decisions that exacerbated inequities
Making electric vehicles more accessible
- $174 billion for EV grants and incentives
- 500,000 EV chargers
- Electrification of transit and school buses
Improving resilience
- An eye toward equitable distribution of resources
- Plans to invest in natural infrastructure that protects land and water resources
Improving electric power infrastructure
- Adopt a Clean Energy Standard with a goal of going carbon free by 2035
- Modernize grid infrastructure
- 10-year extension of generation tax credits
- 100% clean power for federal buildings