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......
President Biden Unveils Infrastructure Plan
April 01, 2021
President Biden has unveiled his long-awaited infrastructure plan, calling on what he describes as a generational investment in our nation’s most critical assets and the largest infrastructure package that this country has seen in over five decades. The $2.2 trillion, eight-year, American Jobs Plan will go a long way to ensure that our nation’s infrastructure......
Resilience Takes Center Stage in Congress
March 18, 2021
Now that Congress has passed the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill, President Joe Biden and lawmakers are laying the groundwork for another top legislative priority — a long-sought after boost to the nation’s roads, bridges, and other infrastructure. With COVID-19 relief done Congress has begun a series of hearings on sustainable and resilient infrastructure, a......
ASCE Unveils Newest Infrastructure Gamechangers
March 13, 2021
It’s easy to dwell on negativity, particularly in regards to infrastructure trends. The increasing funding gap, potholes and deteriorating bridges, power outages – the list seems overwhelming. But engineers don’t dwell on these problems – they offer solutions. To celebrate innovation in the engineering field, the ASCE just designated 13 new Infrastructure Gamechangers—groundbreaking infrastructure projects......
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......
ASCE 2021 Infrastructure Report Card Gives U.S. ‘C-‘ Grade
March 04, 2021
The American Society of Civil Engineers unveiled their 2021 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure on Wednesday, March 3. The nation earned a ‘C-’, up from 2017’s cumulative GPA of ‘D+’. This is the first time since ASCE began issuing the report card that the nation’s infrastructure has received a GPA outside of the D range.......
Civil Engineers Give Ohio’s Infrastructure a “C-” in 2021 Infrastructure Report Card
February 11, 2021
On Thursday, the Ohio Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) released its 2021 Report Card for Ohio’s Infrastructure, the Section’s first report in more than a decade. Ohio civil engineers gave 16 categories of infrastructure an overall grade of “C-“, slightly ahead of the national average of “D+” given in 2017. Graded......
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......