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Voters in battleground districts across the country are reading about how Democrats’ infrastructure law is making much-needed investments to tackle issues facing their communities, like drinking water improvements, flood prevention, and Superfund site cleanup.
No matter how many hypocritical Republicans try to claim credit for projects they voted against, voters across the country will know that when it comes to tackling some of the toughest problems facing their communities, Democrats delivered.
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In Florida…
Miami Herald: Biden administration plans to spend more than $1 billion on Everglades restoration
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The funds for the Everglades restoration aim to increase the ecosystem’s resilience against climate change by storing surface water runoff and minimizing seepage losses during dry periods, according to the White House.
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“This is enormous news, and allows us to set a course for quicker completion of the world’s largest ecosystem restoration project,” U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a South Florida Democrat, said in a statement. ”It will enable the construction of resilient and multi-benefit projects that will increase the carbon sequestration capacity of the ecosystem and protect our communities and local economies for generations to come.”
In Minnesota…
Twin Cities Pioneer Press: More than $200 million in federal funds heading to Minnesota to replace lead water pipes
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Minnesota cities and local water services will ramp up the removal of underground lead water pipes this year with a slice of the $15 billion in funding over the next five years provided by a bipartisan infrastructure bill that Congress and President Joe Biden enacted in November.
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The Health Department estimated the cost of removing all lead pipes and plumbing fixtures in Minnesota would be $1.5 billion to $4.12 billion over 20 years. But it said the benefits of removing lead from water include “improvements in population mental acuity and IQ (resulting in increases in lifetime productivity, earnings and taxes paid).” It projected the range of benefits at $4.24 billion to $8.47 billion over 20 years. Thus the money spent to reduce lead in drinking water would be expected to yield a return of at least twice the amount of the investment.
In Illinois and Iowa…
Quad City Times: Iowa, Illinois lawmakers announce $829 million plan to upgrade Mississippi River locks and dams
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The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released spending plans that include an $829.1 million investment in lock and dam modernization projects along the upper Mississippi River with funding made available by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
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Wednesday’s announced work plan represents the single largest investment to Mississippi River locks and dams since their original construction in the 1930s, according to Waterways Council Inc. The Washington, D.C.-based public policy organization has pushed additional funding for a modern and well-maintained national system of ports and inland waterways, including lock and dam infrastructure.
In Michigan and Ohio…
Michigan Advance: 4 Michigan Superfund sites to soon receive federal funding for cleanup projects
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“[These] sites in Charlevoix, Mancelona Township, St. Clair Shores and St. Louis are among 45 others across the country set to receive federal funds from the bipartisan infrastructure law. According to the EPA, more than 60% of the Superfund sites are located in historically underserved communities — populations which disproportionately face more pollution and other instances of environmental injustice.”
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“In total, the EPA said it will invest $1 billion from the bipartisan infrastructure law signed by President Joe Biden last year into the 49 toxic sites across the country.”
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“Projects to further cleanup at the Charlevoix Municipal Well, Tar Lake Site, Ten-Mile Drain and Velsicol Burn Pit in Michigan are set to be jump-started once again with the new funds.”
The Detroit News: Army Corps puts $479M in aid toward construction of new Soo Lock
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“This is an historic step forward for this critically needed project to add a chain of smart technologies to the waterway that will stop invasive carp from reaching Lake Michigan,” said Molly Flanagan, chief operating officer and vice president of programs at the Alliance for the Great Lakes.
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The White House announced the funding Wednesday for the Great Lakes projects among $14 billion from the bipartisan infrastructure bill for fiscal year 2022, covering more than 500 projects across 52 states and territories.
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U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, who chairs the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, applauded the awarding of $742 million for both infrastructure projects.
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“The critical role that Great Lakes waterways play in sustaining and advancing America’s economic vitality cannot be overstated,” said Kaptur, an Ohio Democrat.
In New Jersey…
AP: NJ announces early plan for $1B on water infrastructure
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The new cash infusion is “exciting,” and amounts to a “once-in-a-generation” investment, said Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn LaTourette, though it’s just a fraction of the estimated $30 billion in new pipes, equipment and other improvements the state needs.
In New York …
Hamlet Hub: Maloney Celebrates Lead Pipe Removal and Clean Water Funding Coming to the Hudson Valley
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Today, Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (NY-18) joined Hudson Valley local leaders to celebrate investments in lead pipe removal, clean water, and cleanup of PFAS contaminants coming to the Hudson Valley thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Rep. Maloney was instrumental in delivering these funds for the Hudson Valley – he voted for the transformative legislation and helped draft portions of the law as a member of the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee.
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“I am proud to have voted for and helped draft this critical legislation which will deliver a historic investment in our water infrastructure, including $400 million for New York just this year.”
In Pennsylvania…
Times Leader: Editorial: $3.8 billion for Pa. mine reclamation a big win
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And coal mining, long a small and shrinking part of the county’s economy, continues to keep this region from becoming something new. As much successful reclamation as we’ve seen over the years, most county residents are a short drive from a man-made mountain of unsightly “ugh!” When listing the many very real amenities moving here offers outsiders, “culm banks” are a glaring negatives.
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That’s why it was genuinely good news when U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-Moosic), U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-Scranton) and U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland got together to announce an estimated $3.8 billion will be coming to Pennsylvania for reclamation and cleanup projects, courtesy of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.”
CBS Philly: Schuylkill Dredging Project Gets $5 Million From Federal Infrastructure Bill
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“A huge adrenaline shot into this project,” Bonnie Mueller, of the Schuylkill Navy of Philadelphia, said.
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Mueller says the last major dredging project was 50 years ago. Since then, major storms have sent debris downstream.
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The river was to be dredged in 2020, but a contract between the Army Corps of Engineers and contractor Atlantic Subsea was terminated mid-project.
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“Everybody understands the iconic nature of our venue,” Mueller said.
In Virginia…
WTKR: Norfolk to receive $249M in federal funding to increase community resilience to flooding
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On January 19, the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) announced its plan for investing the $14 billion from President Joe Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to strengthen port and waterway supply chains and bolster climate resilience. In this plan, the City of Norfolk will receive $249,331,000.
In Washington state…
KXRO News: Local Clean Water Projects Get A Boost From The Other Washington
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“In 2021, President Biden signed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and reauthorized the Capitalization Grant, which resulted in significant funding increases for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF).”
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“‘These additional funds are a direct benefit to Washington’s local communities and organizations,’ said Vince McGowan, Ecology’s Water Quality Program Manager. ‘By investing in infrastructure improvements we are investing in clean water.’”
In Wisconsin…
Wisconsin Examiner: VP Harris and EPA announce $140 million in water infrastructure funds for Wisconsin
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The EPA is distributing $7.4 billion in bipartisan infrastructure law funding. Wisconsin will receive more than $140 million in 2022 for water infrastructure, including over $48 million dedicated to removing lead pipes. “And there will be more of those resources to come over the next five years,” said Regan.
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Harris said that, “eliminating lead exposure in our nation should be among our nation’s highest priorities. Why? Well millions of people in America are exposed to lead everyday. There are up to 10 million households in America and 400,000 schools and childcare facilities that have lead. In Wisconsin, lead service lines, it is estimated, are in at least 170,000 homes, schools, and businesses. Those are places where children and people work and live.”
Across the nation…
NBC News: White House unveils plan to replace every lead pipe in the U.S.
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“President Joe Biden promised his infrastructure proposal would replace every lead pipe in the country. Now the White House says it has a plan to deliver, despite a significant funding gap.”
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“As many as 10 million U.S. households, schools and care facilities get their drinking water through lead pipes, and each pipe can cost thousands of dollars to replace.”
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‘“There is no reason in the 21st century for why people are still exposed to this substance that was poisoning people back in the 18th century,’ Harris said. She added that more than half of American children under six are at risk of lead exposure.”
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