Just before Thanksgiving, I was honored by President Biden’s invitation to join me at the White House. The signingThis is the largest investment in American infrastructure since construction of the interstate highway network.
Rep. Chellie Pingree writes that the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is an investment in our future that will provide funding for repair of our roads, bridges, and ports, as well high-speed broadband expansion and legacy cleanup.
Democrats fulfilled our promise to pass bold legislation, and its benefits are widespread.
This law is a once in a generation investment in our future. It covers everything from funding to repair our aging roads and bridges to high-speed broadband expansion to legacy pollution cleanup.
Nearly one-year into President Bidens tenure the unemployment rate has risen to theIt is now at its lowest level in 50 yearsBut this new law will only accelerate our economic recovery. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will create 2 million union jobs each year over the next ten years.
This bipartisan law is, above all, a win-win for our environment and economy.
This law allows climate-focused investments to help Maine. Climate Action PlanThis will enable our state to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045. Here’s how:
Transportation The largest contributorMaine’s greenhouse gas emissions. Since 54 percentMost of our emissions come via passenger cars and trucks. Maine will receive $19 million to expand public electric vehicle charging. The law also funds measures that will improve public transit options in the state.
We have restructured the landmark infrastructure law so that it is more focused. Train transit, too. It addresses Amtrak’s maintenance backlog, modernizes Northeast Corridor, and creates partnership grants to intercity rail service.
In addition, $2.5 Billion in law funds will be used for this purpose. zero-emission school buses. I’m a Maine islander who has lived here for 40 years and am happy to see that the bill includes $2.5 billion. low-carbon ferries. We are focused on strengthening America’s diverse transportation systems.
The bill was drafted with the top priority of combating climate change. The final product is comprehensive.
It was estimated that extreme weather events and climate-related disasters cost the United States nearly $100 billion in 2012. By FinanceThis law will fund key climate investments. It will also provide resources for states to make infrastructure more resilient to extreme weather events like wildfires, drought, and heat. This proactive approach is not only cost-saving but also common sense.
More than $65 billionOur power infrastructure will be updated, making it the largest investment in clean-energy transmission grid and grid in American History. The funding of new programs will help accelerate our transition to a zero emissions economy by supporting the development and deployment cutting-edge clean-energy technology.
These are just a few of the many ways that the infrastructure law can help us mitigate the climate crisis. But there are many other important benefits for the environment.
We are constantly exposed to per- and/or polyfluoroalkyl Substances. This law is dedicated to $10 billionTo help communities address such hazards. I also helped secure $390 million for Maine to modernize the drinking and wastewater utilities and make them more resilient.
America’s domestic infrastructure investments have plummeted since the 1960sBy 40%. We now rank13thinternationallyIn overall infrastructure quality, an unacceptable level. This law was a joint effort by President Biden and Congress to create a stronger, more competitive America.
Make no mistake, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is only one part of the equation to prepare America in the 21st century. To keep up with other nations on a global stage, we need to pass the Build Back better Act. America is the only nation that does not offer paid leave. new parentsor caregivers, as well as where people dieBecause they can’t afford life-saving insulin. Built Back Better was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives NovemberIt would stop this. It would support the needs of Americans, from birth to old age, and be the most significant improvement to the safety net since The New Deal.
These two bills together address the serious issues facing our nation that have been ignored too long. We must seize this chance for a brighter future and implement the change that voters elected.
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