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President Joe Biden unveiled on March 31 the first of two infrastructure packages the Administration will put forward for Congress’ consideration.

The "American Jobs Plan" includes a variety of programs that would address special districts’ infrastructure interests ranging from water quality and infrastructure, transportation, renewable energy, and efforts to combat climate change.

The plan offers an estimated $2.25 trillion in infrastructure investments over eight years. Biden is expected to announce later in April a second plan offering $1 trillion in “human infrastructure,” which is expected to include health care expansion, paid leave for American workers, and a child tax credit extension. The first proposal, outlined here, includes an increase in corporate tax rate from 21 percent, set in 2017 with the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, to 28 percent. The second could include a tax increase on high incomes. Republicans on both sides of Capitol Hill have signaled this as a non-starter.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-California, is reportedly planning for the House to pass the American Jobs Plan by July 4, likely using the budget reconciliation process – the same process under which the American Rescue Plan Act was passed.

The National Special Districts Coalition has identified, by category below, a number of proposed programs of interest to special districts.

Clean Drinking Water Infrastructure, High-Speed Broadband, and a Renewed Electric Grid

• $45 billion in the Environmental Protection Agency’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund and in Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act (WIIN) grants to eliminate all lead pipes and service lines in the country. In addition to reducing lead exposure in homes, this investment also would reduce lead exposure in 400,000 schools and childcare facilities.
• $56 billion in grants and low-cost flexible loans to states, Tribes, territories, and disadvantaged communities across the country to modernize aging water systems by scaling up existing, successful programs.
• $10 billion in funding to monitor and remediate PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in drinking water and to invest in rural small water systems and household well and wastewater systems, including drainage fields.
• $100 billion to build “future proof” broadband infrastructure in unserved and underserved areas so that the U.S. can finally reach 100 percent high-speed broadband coverage. It also prioritizes support for broadband networks owned, operated by, or affiliated with local governments, non-profits, and co-operatives—providers with less pressure to turn profits and with a commitment to serving entire communities; promotes price transparency and competition among Internet Service Providers; and reduces the cost of broadband Internet service and promotes more widespread adoption.
• $100 billion to create a more resilient grid, lower energy bills for middle class Americans, and improve air quality and public health outcomes, with a goal of achieving 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2035. This funding includes:

• $5 billion for the remediation and redevelopment of Brownfield and Superfund sites, as well as related economic and workforce development.
• $10 billion to put a new, diverse generation of Americans to work conserving our public lands and waters, bolstering community resilience, and advancing environmental justice through a new Civilian Climate Corps.
• Investing in the Economic Development Agency’s Public Works program (while lifting the cap of $3 million on projects) and in “Main Street” revitalization efforts through HUD and USDA.
• EDA’s Public Works program provides investments aimed to be a catalyst for distressed communities to construct and improve critical infrastructure and enrich a region’s economy.

Transportation Infrastructure and Resilience

• $115 billion to modernize bridges, highways, and roads that are in most critical need of repair. This includes funding to improve air quality, limit greenhouse gas emissions, and reduce congestion. The proposal will modernize 20,000 miles of highways, roads, and main streets, not only “fixing them first” but “fixing them right,” with safety, resilience, and all users in mind.
• $85 billion to modernize existing public transit and help agencies expand their systems to meet rider demand.
• $174 billion in investments for electric vehicles (EVs), including sale rebates and tax incentives for consumers to buy American-made cars. It also establishes grant and incentive programs for state and local governments and the private sector to build 500,000 EV charging stations by 2030. It includes funds to electrify school buses and federal vehicles such as Postal Service trucks.
• $25 billion for airports, including funding for the Airport Improvement Program, upgrades to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) assets that ensure safe and efficient air travel, and a new program to support terminal renovations and multimodal connections for affordable, convenient, car-free access to air travel.
• $17 billion for inland waterways, coastal ports, land ports of entry, and ferries. This includes a Healthy Ports program to mitigate the cumulative impacts of air pollution on neighborhoods near ports, often communities of color.
• $20 billion for a new program that will reconnect neighborhoods cut off by historic investments and ensure new projects increase opportunity, advance racial equity and environmental justice, and promote affordable access.
• $50 billion in dedicated investments to improve infrastructure resilience, including:
• Increasing resilience in urban infrastructure and roads, rail, and other transportation assets. The proposal also targets investments to support infrastructure in those communities most vulnerable physically and financially to climate-driven disasters and to build back above existing codes and standards.
• Protecting and restoring nature-based infrastructure – our lands, forests, wetlands, watersheds, and coastal and ocean resources. President Biden is calling on Congress to invest in protection from extreme wildfires, coastal resilience to sea-level rise and hurricanes, support for agricultural resources management and climate-smart technologies, and the protection and restoration of major land and water resources. Additionally, the President’s plan provides funding for the western drought crisis by investing in water efficiency and recycling programs, Tribal Water Settlements, and dam safety.

Essential Home Care Workers

• $400 billion toward expanding access to quality, affordable home- or community-based care for aging relatives and people with disabilities.

Investments in Research and Development for Climate

• $180 billion in research and development investments, including:
• $35 billion in the full range of solutions needed to achieve technology breakthroughs that address the climate crisis and position America as the global leader in clean energy technology and clean energy jobs.
• $5 billion in funding for other climate-focused research.
• $15 billion in demonstration projects for climate research and development priorities, including utility-scale energy storage, carbon capture and storage, floating offshore wind, biofuel/bioproducts, and electric vehicles.

Rural Development

• $5 billion for a new Rural Partnership Program to help rural regions, including Tribal Nations, build on their unique assets and realize their vision for inclusive community and economic development. This program will empower rural regions by supporting locally-led planning and capacity building efforts, and providing flexible funding to meet critical needs.

Further details will be provided as they develop. Contact Cole Karr, CSDA Federal Advocacy Coordinator, for questions, at colek@csda.net.