By Nomi Prins, March 16, 2021 During the Trump years, the phrase “Infrastructure Week” rang out as a sort of Groundhog Day-style punch line. What began in June 2017 as a failed effort by The Donald’s White House and a Republican Senate to focus on the desperately needed rebuilding of American…
What’s Next on Biden’s Agenda? Signs Point to Infrastructure Overhaul
BY RYAN CHATELAIN NATIONWIDE PUBLISHED 1:46 PM ET MAR. 09, 2021 With his $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package on the verge of passing, President Joe Biden will soon turn his attention to his next major legislative endeavor. While the White House isn’t saying yet what that will be, it is widely believed…
After Stimulus, Biden to Tackle Another Politically Tricky Issue: Infrastructure
By Annie Karni and Jim Tankersley, March 1, 2021 Strengthening the country’s highways, bridges and broadband networks has broad popular support, but Washington remains bitterly divided on the details. Read more
Ports Rebounding From Pandemic Plan Major Infrastructure Investments
BY MARY SCOTT NABERS 02-08-2021 Ports throughout the country have seen a surge in imports over the last several years, and many of them – undaunted by the pandemic – are launching projects that require private-sector partners. These upcoming contracting opportunities show the possibilities for infrastructure construction companies. Read more
Facing “grim” outlook, construction industry awaits Biden infrastructure plan
Amy Scott, Feb 1, 2021 While emergency COVID-19 relief is hung up in Congress, the Biden administration is expected to unveil details of a longer-term economic recovery plan this month, focused on infrastructure. The plan would invest some $2 trillion over four years to build and repair roads, bridges…
Biden’s push for electric vehicles could take funding away from infrastructure projects
By Paul A. Eisenstein, Jan. 26, 2021 President Joe Biden wants to replace the government’s fleet of almost 650,000 vehicles with all-electric models produced in the United States, simultaneously addressing both his climate change and manufacturing agenda. Read more
Despite opposition, Charlotte moves ahead with massive transit plan
By ALISON KUZNITZ The Charlotte Observer, Jan 19, 2021 City leaders face a bumpy road as they seek support for a “transformational” transit and mobility plan, partially paid for with a one-cent sales tax that could go before Mecklenburg County voters in November. Read more
Pete Buttigieg Eyes ‘Big, Bold’ Infrastructure Plan, Chuck Schumer Says
Eugene Mulero | Senior Reporter, January 4, 2021 Advancing a “big, bold” infrastructure policy measure with an emphasis on climate change is a priority for President-elect Joe Biden’s choice to lead the U.S. Department of Transportation, said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. Read more
USDOT launches new regional infrastructure accelerators program
Dec 29th, 2020 A new demonstration program has been launched by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) to establish several Regional Infrastructure Accelerators (Accelerators), which aims to expedite the delivery of transportation infrastructure projects through innovative finance and delivery methods. Read more
UN rules to reduce carbon emissions from ocean vessels draw fire for being ineffective

Energize Weekly, November 25, 2020 New regulations to cut carbon emission from ocean cargo ships adopted last week by the United Nation’s maritime organization drew immediate fire from environmentalist and analysts who said they will do little to curb pollution. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) approved rules requiring short-term technical…
Voters weigh in on local and state energy issues from renewable energy to oil and gas taxes

Energize Weekly, November 11, 2020 Election returns on state and local energy issues were both literally and figuratively all over the map last week on issues ranging from renewable energy to oil and gas taxes. Voters in Alaska rejected a tax on oil operations while the industry was denied a…
Rural communities to get $865 million in infrastructure aid from USDA programs

Energize Weekly, August 26, 2020 The Trump administration, in the last three weeks, has announced $865 million in loans and grants to upgrade rural infrastructure – electric grids, water systems and broadband internet. The two largest programs are for water and wastewater systems – $462 million – and rural electrification…
Global EV sales hit a coronavirus speed bump, but how big a bump is a question

Energize Weekly, May 27, 2020 Electric vehicle (EV) sales are hitting a pandemic speed bump in 2020, but whether it’s a small bump, a big bump or a huge pothole depends on who is doing the forecasting. The projections for the year range from a modest 4.5 percent increase in…
Carbon emissions in heavy industry and transport could be could to zero by 2060, study says

Energize Weekly, November 28, 2018 Heavy industry carbon emissions—less of a focus and harder to curb than the power sector’s—could be reduced to zero by 2060 at cost of just a fraction of global Gross Domestic Product (GDP), according to a new study by the nonprofit Energy Transitions Commission. The…