President Biden signed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in mid-November. This act is historic in size—the largest ever investments in broadband, rail and transit, clean energy, water and other projects. The administration recognizes that implementing such a large investment in our nation’s infrastructure will require deep partnership alongside members of Congress, governors, mayors, tribal leaders, local officials and community members.
In January, the White House released a Bipartisan Infrastructure Law guidebook to provide information about applying for funds and outlining who to contact for more information. This guidebook is a roadmap to the funding available under the law, as well as an explanatory document that shows direct federal spending at the program level.
To help partners better understand the programs within the guidebook, the White House launched the Infrastructure School, a series of 12 webinars to provide an in-depth look into the programs contained within each of the 12 major chapters in the guidebook.
Brownstein’s Implementing Infrastructure team is tracking these webinars and summarizing key take-aways. This page will be updated with analysis as the webinars are completed. Use the links below to jump to sections of interest.
Ports and Waterways
On Feb. 15, the White House conducted a webinar on the “Ports and Waterways” chapter of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Guidebook.
Director of BIL Implementation for the Department of Transportation (DOT) Kathryn Thomson mentioned the importance of addressing supply chain challenges and investing in both rural and urban areas, before introducing three panelists: Director of the Office of Port Infrastructure Development at the Maritime Administration Robert Bouchart; Associate Administrator for Infrastructure at the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Hari Kalla; and Executive Director of the Build America Bureau at the DOT Morteza Farajian.
Key Themes
Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP): The program will provide $450 million annually available over the next five years. The program offers competitive grants to both public and private ports and port authorities.
America’s Marine Highway Program (MHP): Competitive grants for this program are designed to develop and expand marine highway service options, and further their integration into the current United States transportation system. The BIL designates $25 million this year to the MHP. Recipients are DOT-designated marine highway projects.
Construction of Ferry Boats and Ferry Terminal Facilities: The program allocates $912 million for ferry services which are important links in the network of federal-aid highways. This program offers formula-grants.
Reduction of Truck Emissions at Port Facilities: $40 million program to reduce truck emissions. The program is currently still in development, pending a full-year budget.
Airports
On Feb. 17, the White House conducted a webinar on the airports component of its Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Guidebook, a roadmap detailing the funds available under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and outlining steps to implement the law.
Key Themes
Funding Allocation: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Deputy Administrator Bradley Mims explained the IIJA dedicates $25 billion over five years to three categories: $5 billion for FAA air traffic facilities and equipment; $15 billion for airport infrastructure grants; and $5 billion for investments in airport terminals and airport-owned, FAA-operated towers.
Terminal Program Investments: Director of Technical Operations, Air Traffic Control Facilities and Engineering Services at the FAA Randall Burke discussed how the $5 billion for terminal program investments and tower infrastructure would be allocated. He said $2.25 billion would be allocated to sustainment activities, and $2.75 billion would be allocated for facility replacement, including tower infrastructure. He said sustainment activities would be the focus during the first year.
Airport Infrastructure Grants: FAA Deputy Director Robin Hunt described how the $15 billion for airport infrastructure grants would be distributed under the formula Airport Recruitment Program entitlement funds. She explained that up to $2.39 billion per year would be allocated for primary airports, based on existing apportionment formulas involving passenger traffic and cargo volume. She also said up to $500 million per year would be allocated for non-primary airports, including general aviation and commercial service airports, based on an airport’s role in the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems. Finally, she said $20 million per year would be available through competitive grants for tower construction replacement and refurbishment.
Loan Programs: Executive Director of the Build America Bureau Morteza Farajian explained the significance of the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act, which was recently expanded to cover all types of projects in passenger airports, including terminal and internal improvements.
Electric Vehicles
On Feb. 17, the White House conducted a webinar on the airports component of its Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Guidebook, a roadmap detailing the funds available under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and outlines steps to implement the law.
Key Themes
Electric Charging Formula Program and Grants: Department of Transportation (DOT) Deputy Assistant Secretary for Climate Policy Andrew Wishnia described upwards of $7.5 billion for electrical charging opportunities, including $5 billion for a formula grant program specifically dedicated to scaling out charging infrastructure. He explained that state DOTs will work with the private sector to use funds for development of charging stations across the country, including in disadvantaged communities. He also discussed the $2.5 billion dollars that will be distributed later this year for discretionary grants, addressing both community and corridor charging. Deputy Assistant Secretary for Sustainable Transportation at the Department of Energy (DOE) Michael Berube emphasized the program focuses on creating a national network of charging stations, but also on increasing charging capability in local communities.
Public Transportation Programs: Associate Administrator for Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Office of Program Management Bruce Robinson described the Low or No Emission (Bus) Grant Program, which contains $5.6 billion dollars to be used over the next five years. He explained the program funds capital expenses to replace, rehabilitate, purchase, or lease busses and bus-related equipment, as well as related infrastructure. He emphasized that grants can fund projects for small and large transit agencies in both rural and urban communities. He further explained the IIJA modified the program so that 25% of its funding is set aside for non-emission vehicles. He also discussed the Electric or Low Emitting Ferry Program, which authorized $250 million dollars over the next five years, and the Low or No Emission Vehicle Component Assessment Program, which allows FTA-approved manufacturers to develop and test components for low emission vehicles.
Other Programs: Berube mentioned the $200 million Electric Drive Vehicle Battery Recycling and Second Life Applications and the $5 billion Clean School Bus Programs. He explained these programs are critical for electrifying fleets of public transport vehicles and modernizing the electrical grid.
Loan Programs: Executive Director of the Build America Bureau Morteza Farajian discussed the loan programs authorized by the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) and Railroad Rehabilitation & Improvement Financing (RRIF). He said the loan programs can be used in conjunction with grant programs, or without them, and they cover a significant amount of EV-related infrastructure.
Public Transportation
On Feb. 24, the White House conducted a webinar on the public transportation component of its Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Guidebook, a roadmap detailing the funds available under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) which outlines steps to implement the law.
Key Themes:
Formula Grants: Associate Administrator for the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Office of Program Management Bruce Robinson, discussed the Urbanized Area Formula Grants authorized for $33.4 billion dollars, which can be used for planning, operating assistance in small and large urban areas, capital projects and preventative maintenance. He mentioned the State of Good Repair Grants, authorized for $21.6 billion dollars, which allows transit agencies to fund the repair and maintenance of fixed guideways, primarily rail fixed guideway systems, but also ferry and bus fixed guideway systems. He discussed the Formula Grants for Rural Areas program, authorized for $4.1 billion dollars, which provide support to over 1,300 rural systems across the country. Finally, Robinson discussed the Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Grants, authorized for $2.2 billion dollars, which can be used to make transit more accessible to seniors and people with disabilities. The funding is not competitive and will increase by 30% across the country when Congress appropriates funding.
Capital Investment Grants: Robinson discussed three major types of projects within the Capital Investment Grants program: new start projects, including construction of new fixed guideway systems or expansions of old ones; core capacity projects, designed to improve the capacity of an existing line; and small start projects, which can be used for both fixed guideway projects and bus rapid transit projects with smaller financial thresholds. The program is authorized for $8 billion over the next five years.
Discretionary Grants: Associate Administrator for Communications and Congressional Affairs for FTA Paul Kincaid spoke on the Discretionary Grants program, in which states and communities compete against each other for funding. He mentioned the Low or No Emission (Bus) Grants, authorized for $5.6 billion. Robinson stressed both large and small transit agencies are eligible to receive funding from for the replacement of older vehicles, as well as for associated facilities. Kincaid also talked about two new maritime programs in addition to the preexisting Urbanized Area Passenger Ferry Grants: The Ferry Service for Rural Communities Grants, authorized for $2 billion a year, and the Electric and Low Emitting Ferry Program, authorized for $250 million over five years, designed to fund ferry services which use alternative fuel sources. Kinkaid also discussed Public Transportation on Indian Reservations Competitive Grants, authorized for $45.8 million over five years. Robinson brought up the Rail Car Replacement Grants programs, which are authorized for $1.5 billion over five years and targeted at replacing older rail car vehicles. Finally, he talked about the All-Stations Accessibility Grants, authorized for $1.75 billion over the next five years, which are targeted at updating existing stations across the country to ensure equitable access to public transportation.
Loan Programs: Executive Director of the Build America Bureau Morteza Farajian discussed the loan programs authorized by the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) and Railroad Rehabilitation & Improvement Financing (RRIF). Farajian explained TIFIA loans can cover general public transportation projects, while RRIF can primarily cover railway projects.
Rail Roads
On Feb. 28, the White House conducted a webinar on the passenger and freight rail component of its Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Guidebook, a roadmap detailing the funds available under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) which outlines steps to implement the law.
Note: This webinar was not directly covered by the Brownstein team. The following is a summary of the guidebook section itself.
Key Themes:
Amtrak Grant Programs: The IIJA allocates funds to Amtrak to address their state of good repair backlog, including funding for infrastructure, fleet replacement and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) updates:
- $15.75 billion for Amtrak National Network grants to eliminate Amtrak's backlog of deferred maintenance of rolling stock, facilities, stations and infrastructure on the national network.
- $6 billion for Amtrak Northeast Corridor grants to eliminate Amtrak's backlog of obsolete assets and deferred maintenance of rolling stock, facilities, stations and infrastructure on the northeast corridor.
Discretionary Grant Programs: The IIJA allocates funding for multiple competitive grant programs available to states, counties, tribal communities and other organizations:
- $36 billion for Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail grants to reduce the state of good repair backlog, improve performance or expand or establish new intercity passenger rail service, including privately operated intercity passenger rail service if an eligible applicant is involved.
- $5 billion for Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement grants to fund projects that improve the safety, efficiency and reliability of intercity passenger and freight rail.
- $3 billion for the Railroad Crossing Elimination Program to provide funds for the mitigation or elimination of hazards at railway-highway crossings.
- $250 million for the Restoration & Enhancement Grant program to provide operating assistance to initiate, restore or enhance intercity passenger rail services.
Roads, Bridges and Major Projects
On March 3, the White House conducted a webinar on the roads and bridges component of its Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Guidebook, a roadmap detailing the funds available under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA, P.L.117-58) which outlines steps to implement the law.
Key Themes
Formula Grants: Associate Administrator for Highway Policy and External Affairs at the Department of Transportation (DOT) Keith Benjamin discussed several programs and funding levels authorized by the law, including:
- $148 billion over the next five years for the National Highway Performance program, which is focused on improving the condition and performance of highways and bridges in the federal highway system.
- $72 billion over the next five years for the Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) program, which provides flexible funding to best address state and local transportation needs.
- $6.4 billion for the State Carbon Reduction program, which will provide formula grants to states to reduce transportation emissions or assist with the development of carbon reduction strategy.
- $7.3 billion for the Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient and Cost-saving Transportation (PROTECT) formula programs, which helps states and agencies to conduct resiliency planning, strengthen and protect evacuation routes and make surface level infrastructure more resilient to natural disasters.
- $27 billion over the next five years for the Bridge Formula program, which will be used to replace, rehabilitate, preserve, protect and construct bridges on public roads. At least 15% of the program’s funding must be reserved for the use of off-system bridges.
- $3 billion for the Tribal Transportation program, which funds projects for providing safe and adequate multi-modal transportation and public access to Indian reservations, tribal lands and Alaskan native communities. The IIJA also reserves $1 billion for its Tribal Transportation Facility Bridges program.
- $1 billion over the next five years for the Reconnecting Communities pilot program, which removes retrofitting or mitigating highways and other transportation facilities that create barriers to community connectivity.
Discretionary Grants: Benjamin and INFRA Program Manager at DOT Paul Baumer discussed several grant programs and funding levels, including:
- $1.4 billion for the PROTECT discretionary grant program, which includes competitive grants for local communities, metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), and tribes.
- $12 billion over the next five years for the Bridge Investment program, which supports projects to improve bridge covert conditions, safety efficiency and reliability.
- $8 billion over the next five years for the RAISE grant program, which focuses on regional and local surface transportation projects. It contains broad eligibilities and has a maximum award amount of $25 million. The notice of funding opportunity has already been published and is on the Department’s website (dot.gov/raisegrants). Applications are due on April 14, 2022, but subsequent rounds will be available in future fiscal years.
- $7 billion over the next five years for the INFRA grant program, which is focused on addressing larger-scale highway and freight projects which are more than a $100 million in costs.
- $5 billion for the Megaprojects program, which focuses on large-scale projects. About 50% of the program’s funds are reserved for projects with over $5million in funding needs and the other 50% are for projects between $100 and $500 million.
- $1 billion for the Rural Surface Transportation Grant program, which is restricted to projects located in rural areas. It targets highway bridge and tunnel projects that are on various national highway system routes, as well as rural transit projects and integrated mobility management systems.
Loan Programs: Director of the Office of Outreach and Project Development at the Build America Bureau (BAB) Roger Bohnert discussed the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation ACT (TIFIA) credit program, which provides loans across the surface transportation spectrum, and the Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing (RRIF) credit program, which primarily focuses on larger freight and passenger projects. He stated TIFIA relaxed some of the requirements for investment grade ratings for certain borrowers and expanded eligibilities for transit-oriented development projects. Both programs allow BAB to lend for up to 75 years for repayment schedules, as opposed to the original 35 years. He stated BAB has the authority to allocate tax-exempt private activity bonds and the IIJA provided an additional $15 billion in capacity for those allocations. He discussed two new grant programs, one allocated for $12 million that emphasizes rural and tribal project sponsors, and one allocated for $100 million that provides technical assistance for private partnership efforts.
Safety
On Tuesday, March 8, the White House conducted a webinar on the safety component of its Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Guidebook, a roadmap detailing the funds available under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) which outlines steps to implement the law.
Key Themes
Formula Grants: Associate Administrator for Safety at the Federal Highway Administration (FWA) Cheryl Walker and Director of Governmental and External Affairs at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Ron Thaniel discussed several programs and funding levels authorized by the law, including:
- $15.56 billion over the next five years for the Highway Safety Improvement program (HSIP), for the purpose of significantly reducing fatalities and serious injuries on all federal roads. Walker mentioned the IIJA increased this program’s funding by 34%. In addition, states can now spend 10% of funding on highway safety and awareness projects, or projects that facilitate enforcement of traffic laws.
- $1.23 billion for the Railway-Highway Crossings program, which can be used to eliminate hazards, replace functionally obsolete warning devices and reduce pedestrian fatalities and injuries.
- $1.99 billion for Highway Safety programs to promote public safety by working with states and local partners to address their unique roadway safety issues.
- $970 million for Highway Safety Research and Development for promoting safety for all road users, including those not in vehicles.
Discretionary Grants: Senior Policy Advisor for the Office of the Secretary at the Department of Transportation (DOT) Emily Schweninger and Steenburg Executive Director and Chief Safety Officer for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Jack Van discussed several competitive grant programs and funding levels, including:
- $5 billion over the next five years for the Safe Streets and Roads for All program, which is intended to prevent roadway deaths. Metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), counties, cities and other areas can use these funds to develop and update comprehensive safety action plans or to carry out projects and operations identified within action plans, such as improvements along a multi-modal network, low-cost safety treatments, speed management projects, as well as addressing alcohol-influenced driving and creating safer school routes.
- $2.43 billion for the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance program to reduce commercial motor vehicle-involved crashes, fatalities and injuries through consistent, uniform and effective commercial motor vehicle safety programs. The program has received a 60% in funding.
- $297 million for the Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Implementation program for state licensing agencies across the country to update IT systems and make it easier for applicants to receive CDLs.
- $25 million for the Commercial Motor Vehicle Enforcement Training & Support Grant program to train non-federal agencies who conduct commercial motor vehicle enforcement activities and to develop related training materials.
Data and Research Grants: Thaniel also discussed the Crash Data program, funded for $750 million, to gain more accurate data on vulnerable road users, and the Vehicle Safety and Behavioral Research program, funded for $548 million, to provide supplemental funding to accelerate vehicle and behavioral safety research.
Clean Energy and Power
On March 10, the White House conducted a webinar on the clean energy and power component of its Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Guidebook, a roadmap detailing the funds available under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) which outlines steps to implement the law.
Key Themes
Delivering Reliable, Affordable Clean Power: Deputy Chief of Staff at the United States Department of Energy (DOE) Jeremiah Baumann discussed several programs and funding levels authorized by the law:
- Over $20 billion for the Building a Better Grid Initiative, which includes programs for preventing power outages, enhancing resilience of the electric grid, hazard hardening, ensuring electric grid reliability and resiliency, transmission facilitation, smart grid investment matching grants and providing energy to rural and remote communities.
- $6 billion for the Civilian Nuclear Credit program which seeks to help preserve the existing United States nuclear reactor fleet. Owners and operators can apply for certification and then bid on credits to support their plants’ continued operation.
Clean Energy Demonstrations: Principal Deputy Director at the DOE Carla Frisch discussed several demonstration projects and funding levels authorized by the law:
- $8 billion for demonstrations of Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs which will examine production, delivery, storage and use of hydrogen hubs.
- $1 billion for the Clean Hydrogen Electrolysis program which will help reduce the cost of hydrogen and $500 million for the Clean Hydrogen Manufacturing and Recycling initiatives that support equipment manufacturing and strong domestic supply chains.
- $10 billion for the Carbon Capture, Direct Air Capture and Industrial Emissions Reduction programs, which include carbon capture large-scale pilot projects, carbon capture demonstration projects, industrial emission demonstration projects, carbon storage validation and testing and four regional class direct air capture hubs.
Expanding Access to Energy Efficiency: Baumann discussed programs and funding levels focused on expanding access to energy efficiency:
- $3.5 billion for the Weatherization Assistance Program which reduces energy bills for low-income households.
- $500 million for Grants for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Improvements at Public School Facilities to improve air quality for children and school staff. The funding can be used to renovate HVAC systems, implement solar technology and introduce electric vehicles into school systems.
- $550 million for the Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant program and $500 million for the State Energy program, which both enable a wide variety of clean energy implementations and technologies.
Investing in American Manufacturing and Workers: Frisch discussed several programs and funding levels focused on strengthening domestic manufacturing:
- $3 billion for Battery Material Processing Grants and $3 billion for Battery Manufacturing and Recycling Grants.
- $140 million for the Rare Earth Elements Demonstration Facility, which allows for the design, construction and build-out of a facility to demonstrate its commercial feasibility.
- $750 million for Advanced Energy Manufacturing and Recycling Grants, which support the development of advanced energy projects by small and medium-sized manufacturers in coal communities.
Water
On March 15, the White House conducted a webinar on the water component of its Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Guidebook, a roadmap detailing the funds available under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) which outlines steps to implement the law.
Key Themes:
EPA Implementation Priorities: Senior Advisor at the Office of Water at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Wendi Wilkes discussed the organization’s key priorities of IIJA implementation, including providing flexibility to meet local water needs, increasing investment in disadvantaged communities, making progress on lead service line replacement, addressing emerging contaminants, supporting system resilience and One Water innovation, supporting American workers and renewing the water workforce, cultivating domestic manufacturing enforcing civil rights and refining State Revolving Funds (SRFs).
Funding Programs: Wilkes discussed several water programs and funding levels created and supplemented by the IIJA:
- $12.7 billion for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund program (CWSRF) to provide financial assistance to local communities and publicly owned treatment systems for construction of wastewater and stormwater treatment facilities, pollution management, construction or repair of decentralized wastewater treatment systems and other uses associated with the management of wastewater and stormwater.
- $30.7 billion for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund program (DWSRF) to provide loans and grants to water systems for eligible infrastructure projects including constructing or expanding drinking water treatment plants, improving water distribution or other projects designed to protect public health.
- $15 billion for the Lead Service Line Drinking Water State Revolving Fund for lead service line replacement and associated activities.
- $1 billion for the Emerging Contaminant CWSRF and $4 billion for the Emerging Contaminant DWSRF to fund water infrastructure projects to address emerging contaminants.
- $5 billion for the Emerging Contaminant Grants for Small and Disadvantaged Communities program to provide grants to public water systems in small and underserved communities that are unable to finance activities needed to comply with drinking water regulations.
Bureau of Reclamation Funding: Acting Deputy Commissioner of Operations at the Bureau of Reclamation Mat Maucieri and Budget Officer at the Bureau of Reclamation Beth Hughes-Brown spoke on various resilience and environmental projects and funding levels:
- $1.15 billion for Water Storage, Groundwater Storage and Conveyance projects that increase surface water or groundwater storage.
- $3.2 billion for the Aging Infrastructure Account to rehabilitate and maintain infrastructure assets.
- $1 billion for Rural Water projects designed in accordance with the Reclamation Rural Water Supply Act of 2006.
- $400 million for WaterSMART grants that support water management improvements that contribute to water supply sustainability, increase drought resilience and provide environmental benefits.
- $1 billion for Water Reclamation and Reuse Projects that reclaim or reuse municipal, industrial and agricultural wastewater.
Resilience
On March 17, the White House conducted a webinar on the resilience component of its Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Guidebook, a roadmap detailing the funds available under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) which outlines steps to implement the law. White House Director of Intergovernmental Affairs and Infrastructure Implementation Stephanie Sykes hosted the event.
Key Themes:
Waterway Programs: Senior Advisor and Infrastructure Coordinator at the Department of Interior (DOI) Winnie Stachelberg discussed several watershed health and protection programs and funding levels created and supplemented by the IIJA:
- $300 million for the Colorado River Drought Contingency plan to reduce the risk of Lake Mead and Lake Powell reaching critically low elevations.
- $250 million for the Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration and Protection program to support projects that design, study and construct aquatic ecosystem restoration.
- $100 million for the Multi-Benefit Projects to Improve Watershed Health program to support habitat restoration and watershed health.
- $50 million for the Colorado River Endangered Species Recovery and Conservation Systems program to support the Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish and San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation programs and the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management program in the Upper Colorado Basin.
Ecosystem Programs: Stachelberg discussed multiple programs and funding levels designed to address targeted regional ecosystems.
- $200 million for the Fish Passage program to remove barriers and provide technical assistance under the National Fish Passage program.
- $162 million for the Klamath Basin program for habitat restoration and water right acquisition to help restore the Klamath ecosystem.
- $50 million for the Sagebrush-Steppe program to conserve the Sagebrush ecosystem of the American West and the nationally-significant biological, cultural and economic resources it supports.
- $26 million for the Delaware River Basin Conservation Act to provide competitive matching grants for habitat conservation to state and local governments, nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education and other eligible entities.
- $17 million for the Lake Tahoe program to deploy strategies consistent with the Lake Tahoe Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan to prevent the introduction or spread of aquatic invasive species in the Lake Tahoe region.
Tribal Assistance Programs: Stachelberg discussed several programs and funding levels that assist Native American climate resilience.
- $130 million for the Tribal Climate Resilience - Community Relocation program to support tribes facing questions and decisions regarding managed retreat, expansion, protect-in-place and relocation options due to climate threats.
- $86 million for the Tribal Climate Resilience - Adaptation Planning program to provide support for climate resilient planning to help sustain tribal ecosystems and natural and cultural resources, economies, infrastructure, human health and safety.
USDA-NRCS Funding Highlights: Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm Production and Conservation Robert Bonnie spoke on various United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs and funding levels:
- $500 million for the Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations program to provide state, local and American India tribal governments options to protect watershed infrastructure.
- $118 million for the Watershed Rehabilitation program to provide technical and financial assistance to rehabilitate and extend the service life of dams originally constructed with assistance of Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) watershed programs.
- $300 million for the Emergency Watershed Protection program to provide emergency repair and restoration recovery assistance when sudden watershed impairments occur that create an imminent threat to life or property.
- $4 billion in funding for a variety of United States Forest Service programs, including $2 billion for the implementation of the new Wildlife Crisis Strategy.
FEMA Funding Highlights: Assistant Administrator for Mitigation at The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Katherine Fox discussed several programs and funding levels created and supplemented by the IIJA:
- $1 billion for the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program for capability and capacity-building, mitigation projects and management costs for hazard mitigation activities.
- $500 million for Hazard Mitigation Revolving Loan Funds and the Safeguarding Tomorrow through Ongoing Risk Mitigation (STORM) Act to administer revolving loans funds through states’ emergency management agencies for mitigation projects.
- $3.5 billion for Flood Mitigation Assistance Grants to reduce or eliminate the risk of repetitive flood damage to buildings insured under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Environmental Remediation
On March 22, the White House conducted a webinar on the environmental remediation component of its Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Guidebook, a roadmap detailing the funds available under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) which outlines steps to implement the law. White House Director of Intergovernmental Affairs and Infrastructure Implementation Stephanie Sykes hosted the event.
Key Themes:
DOI Programs: Senior Advisor and Infrastructure Coordinator at the Department of Interior (DOI) Winnie Stachelberg discussed several DOI programs and funding levels created and supplemented by the IIJA:
- $11.3 billion for the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund to clean abandoned coal mine sites, address related problems that pose a threat to public health and safety and restore land and water resources degraded by the effects of past coal mining.
- $100 million for the Direct Federal Spending for Revegetation of Mined Lands program to restore native vegetation and mitigate environmental hazards on mined public or private lands.
- $4.68 billion for the Orphaned Well Site Plugging, Remediation and Restoration program to provide initial, formula and performance grants to administer programs for plugging wells.
DOE Programs: Deputy Chief of Staff at Department of Energy (DOE) Jeremiah Baumann spoke on various DOE programs and funding levels created or supplemented by the IIJA:
- $30 million to the Support Orphan Well Plugging program to support the Department of Interior’s effort to establish a program to plug, remediate and reclaim orphaned wells located on federal land.
- $500 million for the Clean Energy Demonstration Program on Current and Former Mine Land to establish a program which demonstrates the technical and economic viability of carrying out clean energy projects on current and former mine land.
- $675 collective million for the Critical Materials Supply Chain Research Facility Development program and the Innovation, Efficiency, Alternatives program to develop alternatives to critical materials and promote their efficient production and use.
- $267 million for the Rare Earth Demonstration Facility and Rare Earth Mineral Security programs to demonstrate the feasibility of a full-scale integrated rare earth facility and to conduct research and development to improve the security of rare earth elements.
- $750 million for the Advanced Energy Manufacturing and Recycling Grant program to provide grants to small- and medium-sized manufacturers to build or retrofit manufacturing and industrial facilities and to produce or recycle advanced energy products in former coal communities.
- $6 billion for the Battery Material Processing Grants and Manufacturing and Recycling Grants program to ensure that the United States has a viable battery materials processing industry.
EPA Programs: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Director of the Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation Larry E. Douschand and EPA Program Analyst at the Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization Rachel Lentz, discussed several programs and funding levels created and supplemented by the IIJA:
- $300 million for the Brownfields Categorical Grants program to ensure that state and tribal brownfields response programs include certain elements of an environmental response program that establishes and maintains a public record of sites addressed.
- $1.2 billion for the Brownfields Projects program to empower states, communities, tribes and nonprofit organizations to assess, clean up and reuse brownfield sites.
- $3.5 billion for the Superfund Remedial program to clean contaminated lands and to protect public health and the environment.
Broadband
On March 24, the White House conducted a webinar on the broadband component of its Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Guidebook, a roadmap detailing the funds available under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) which outlines steps to implement the law. White House Director of Intergovernmental Affairs and Infrastructure Implementation Stephanie Sykes hosted the event.
Key Themes:
NTIA Programs: Associate Administrator of the National Telecommunication and Information Administration’s (NTIA) Office of Internet Connectivity Doug Kinkoph discussed several NTIA broadband programs and funding levels created and supplemented by the IIJA:
- $42.45 billion for the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program, which provides formula grants to states and territories to close the broadband availability gap.
- $2.75 billion to carry out the Digital Equity Act, which promotes equity and digital inclusion and provides individuals and communities the information technology capacity necessary for full economic and civil participation. The funding is divided into $60 million for the State Planning Grant program, $1.44 billion for the State Capacity Grant program and $1.25 billion for the Competitive Grant program.
- $2 billion for the Tribal Connectivity program, which provides grants to tribes for broadband infrastructure deployment, affordable broadband programs, distance learning, telehealth, digital inclusion efforts and broadband adoption activities.
- $1 billion for the Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure program to encourage the expansion and extension of middle mile infrastructure, reduce the cost of connecting unserved and underserved communities and promote overall broadband connection resiliency.
RUS Programs: Department of Agriculture (USDA) Senior Policy Advisor at the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) Edyael Casaperalta, spoke on various programs and funding levels created or supplemented by the IIJA:
- $74 million for the Distance Learning, Telemedicine and Broadband: Broadband Loans program and $1.9 billion for the Distance Learning, Telemedicine and Broadband: Reconnect Loans program to fund rural broadband infrastructure in construction, maintenance, improvement and expansion of broadband service.
FCC Programs: Alejandro Roark, Chief of the Consumer Bureau at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), spoke on various programs and funding levels created or supplemented by the IIJA:
- $14.2 billion for the Affordable Connectivity program to help low-income households afford home broadband service by providing up to a $30 monthly benefit on a household's monthly internet bill. Roark stated the benefit is up to $75 for low-income households on Tribal lands.
- $10 million for the Broadband Deployment Locations Map to establish an online mapping tool to provide a locations overview of the overall geographic footprint of each broadband infrastructure deployment project funded by the IIJA, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 or any other federal amounts and programs appropriated or authorized after the IIJA’s enactment.
- An undetermined amount for the Affordable Connectivity - Outreach Grants program to educate consumers about the Affordable Connectivity Program.
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