Chip Pickering and Mignon Clyburn, co-chairs of INCOMPAS` Broadland USA campaign: “As Congress agrees on a historic investment in new networks, it is imperative that our country build broadband now. Building broadband right means investing in future-proof networks that offer faster speeds and lower prices. Establishing a broadband right means that each municipality has the broadband infrastructure to support fixed and mobile access. No family, community or neighbourhood is deprived of the Internet access they need to succeed and secure the jobs of the future. Building a broadband law means correcting the mistakes of the past, rejecting monopoly policies and unleashing the power of competition – which has proven to bring more investment, innovation and affordability to consumers and small businesses. Now is the time to do broadband well, and we have no time to lose. [11/6/21] WASHINGTON – The Senate on Tuesday gave overwhelming bipartisan approval to a $1 trillion infrastructure bill to rebuild deteriorating roads and bridges in the country and fund new climate and broadband initiatives that are a key part of President Biden`s agenda. Broadband Internet is necessary for Americans to do their jobs, participate in school learning and health care to an equal extent, and stay connected. However, according to one definition, more than 30 million Americans live in areas where there is no broadband infrastructure that offers minimally acceptable speeds — a particular problem in rural communities across the country. The agreement`s $65 billion investment ensures that every American has access to reliable high-speed Internet with a historic investment in providing broadband infrastructure, just as the federal government made historic efforts nearly a hundred years ago to power every American. Valued at $550 billion in new federal spending, the bipartisan deal focuses almost entirely on physical infrastructure projects that will help rebuild parts of American society and take action on longer-term issues, from climate change to improving internet access.
U.S. school buses play a crucial role in expanding access to education, but they are also a significant source of pollution. The agreement will provide thousands of electric school buses nationwide, including in rural communities, help school districts across the country purchase clean, U.S.-made, zero-emission buses, and replace the fleet of yellow school buses for U.S. children. The agreement invests $2.5 billion in zero-emission buses, $2.5 billion in low-emission buses and $2.5 billion in ferries. These investments will stimulate demand for U.S.-made batteries and vehicles, create jobs and support domestic production, while removing diesel buses from some of our most vulnerable communities. In addition, they will help the more than 25 million children and thousands of bus drivers who breathe polluted air during their school trips. Diesel air pollution is linked to asthma and other health issues that harm our communities and cause students to miss school, especially in communities of color and tribal communities. Reconnecting communitiesToday, past investments in transportation have divided communities – like the Claiborne Expressway in New Orleans or I-81 in Syracuse – or left out those most in need of affordable transportation. In particular, significant parts of the road network were built by black neighborhoods. The agreement creates an initial program to reconnect communities separated by transportation infrastructure.
The program will fund the planning, design, demolition and reconstruction of road networks, parks or other infrastructure with $1 billion in earmarked funds. Airports, ports and waterwaysThe United States has built modern aviation, but our airports are far behind their competitors. According to some rankings, no U.S. airport ranks among the top 25 airports in the world. Our ports and waterways also need to be repaired and reinvented. The bill invests $17 billion in port infrastructure and $25 billion in airports to address repair and maintenance backlogs, reduce congestion and emissions near ports and airports, and advance electrification and other low-carbon technologies. Modern, resilient and sustainable port, airport and cargo infrastructure will support the United States. Competitiveness by removing bottlenecks, accelerating trade and reducing the environmental impact on neighbouring communities. Millions of Americans feel the effects of climate change every year when their roads are washed away, airport electricity is cut off, or schools are flooded.
Last year alone, the United States faced 22 extreme and catastrophic climate-related weather events, each of which exceeded $1 billion in losses, a cumulative price of nearly $100 billion. People of color are more likely to live in areas most vulnerable to flooding and other weather events related to climate change. The agreement makes our communities safer and our infrastructure more resilient to the effects of climate change and cyberattacks, thanks to an investment of more than $50 billion. These include means of protection against droughts and floods, as well as a significant investment in bad weather. The bill is the largest investment in the resilience of physical and natural systems in American history. Provide clean water to all American families and eliminate the country`s main service lines. Currently, up to 10 million U.S. households and 400,000 schools and daycares lack clean water. The bipartisan infrastructure agreement will invest $55 billion to expand access to clean water for homes, businesses, schools and daycares across the country.
From rural cities to struggling cities, legislation will invest in water infrastructure and eliminate lead pipes, even in tribal nations and disadvantaged communities that need them most. .