Strategic Investment Tactics for Infrastructure Improvement
April 27, 2021
Guest Post by Maria Lehman, National Infrastructure Lead, U.S. at GHD ASCE’s government relations program is about making a societal difference. Through advocacy and relevant reporting, we capture the imagination of Mayors, Governors, Congress and even Presidents. Congress has indicated it’s serious about providing significant new funding for infrastructure and emphasized it’s a bipartisan issue.......
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......
Link to Post:https://infrastructurereportcard.org/president-biden-releases-fy22-skinny-budget/">President Biden Releases FY22 ‘Skinny Budget’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......
Link to Post:https://infrastructurereportcard.org/president-biden-unveils-infrastructure-plan/">President Biden Unveils Infrastructure PlanPresident 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......
Link to Post:https://infrastructurereportcard.org/resilience-takes-center-stage-in-congress/">Resilience Takes Center Stage in CongressResilience 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......
Link to Post:https://infrastructurereportcard.org/asce-unveils-newest-infrastructure-gamechangers/">ASCE Unveils Newest Infrastructure GamechangersASCE 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......
Link to Post:https://infrastructurereportcard.org/congress-passes-covid-19-relief-package/">Congress Passes COVID-19 Relief PackageCongress 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......