The Endless Frontier Act – A Dramatic Boost for Research and Development
April 22, 2021
On Wednesday, April 21, the U.S. Senate introduced a bipartisan bill — the Endless Frontier Act — that would increase American investments in science and technology innovation with the goal of strengthening the economy and competing worldwide. The effort is led by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senator Todd Young (R-IN), and would,......
Five points on grid modernization as we build a more resilient future
April 19, 2021
Guest Post By Ruth Gratzke, President of Siemens Smart Infrastructure I recently came across some startling numbers from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration about the frequency of major weather and climate disasters in the U.S. We’ve experienced 291 events with damages or costs of at least $1 billion since 1980. And their recurrence doesn’t......
President Biden Releases FY22 ‘Skinny Budget’
April 15, 2021
Last Friday the White House sent Congress its initial $1.5 trillion budget request for discretionary appropriations in fiscal year (FY) 2022. Known as the ‘skinny budget,’ the document provides the first glimpse of President Biden’s spending priorities. The 58- page budget request is the first since 2013 that is not tied to spending caps, which......
Dams and Levees: The Check Engine Light is On
April 15, 2021
Guest Blog Post by Del Shannon, PE, M.ASCE The grades are in again, and to those of us who care and worry and fret about our country’s infrastructure it’s easy to wince as we scroll through the letters. Mostly C’s and D’s with a couple of B’s, but not an A in sight. The overall......
ASCE Lends Expertise to Policy Recommendations on Improving State Disaster Response
April 13, 2021
The National Conference of State Legislatures’ (NCSL) Public Private Partnership on Disaster Mitigation and Recovery published a series of policy recommendations this month. The partnership, of which ASCE belongs, was convened in response to the devastating 2017 disaster season and is comprised of state legislators, staff, and private sector partners. The report, “Natural Disaster State......
Congress Passes COVID-19 Relief Package
March 10, 2021
This week Congress passed the American Rescue Plan – a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package which provides critical relief across the economy and our nation’s infrastructure. This legislation is President Biden’s first legislative victory and the third round of federal COVID-19 relief. Following the budget reconciliation process the original version of the relief package passed......
Now is the Time for Strong Infrastructure Investment
March 08, 2021
Guest Post by John Barton, PE, Senior Vice President, HNTB We can do better Infrastructure investment is needed now. Clearly the last 15 months have taught us the urgency of why now is the time. The lack of spending on infrastructure has been devasting. Blackouts in Texas. Wildfires in California, Oregon and Colorado. The alphabetical......
Congress Moves on COVID-19 Relief Through Budget Reconciliation Process
February 11, 2021
Before taking the oath of office, President Biden announced an extensive response to the COVID-19 pandemic known as the American Rescue Plan – a $1.9 trillion package directed to provide relief amid pandemic impacts. Last week, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) released a Congressional budget blueprint that would......
Radhika Fox, US Water Alliance CEO and ASCE Partner Joins EPA Office of Water
January 22, 2021
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) this week announced the selection of US Water Alliance CEO Radhika Fox as Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Office of Water. ASCE applauds this choice as she has been a leader in sustainable water infrastructure advocacy, particularly when it comes to innovation, equity, and inclusion. Fox has been an......
Biden Administration Moves Swiftly on Key Infrastructure Positions
January 22, 2021
On the heels of President Biden’s inauguration, infrastructure-related agencies across the federal government already had key nominations put forth. While more nominations will be announced in the coming weeks, the Biden Administration announced the following nominations: President Biden nominated former Mayor Pete Buttigieg to be Secretary of the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Ms. Polly......
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