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Implementing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

The United States, for many years, faced a multitrillion-dollar infrastructure funding gap—the result of years of underinvestment and deferred maintenance in our transportation, water, energy, and other infrastructure systems. Congress took action in 2021 by passing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – providing billions in new funding to help strengthen communities, bolster our global competitiveness, make needed investments in critical infrastructure systems, enhance our country’s built and natural infrastructure to withstand natural disasters, and leverage private sector investment and innovation.

BPC, in partnership with the National League of Cities and the National Association of Counties, launched the “Implementing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law” event series to talk with public officials about the challenges and opportunities inherent in implementing the law’s new programs, distributing funding, and investing in transformational projects efficiently, equitably, and impactfully.

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Overcoming Challenges and Seizing Opportunities: Implementing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

March 9, 2022

The IIJA represents a generational opportunity to transform America’s transportation, energy, water and broadband infrastructure. Getting it right will require breaking down barriers across all levels of government and enabling new and expanded approaches to public private partnerships.

Participants:

Mitch Landrieu
Senior Advisor and Infrastructure Coordinator, The White House
@MitchLandrieu46

Matthew Chase
CEO and Executive Director, National Association of Counties
@MchaseNACo

Clarence Anthony
CEO and Executive Director, National League of Cities
@ceanthony50

Samantha Silverberg
Deputy Infrastructure Implementation Coordinator, The White House

Jason Grumet
President, BPC
@JasonGrumet

Read BPC’s recap of the event here

Implementing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law at FEMA

May 16, 2022

While just one piece of the over $1 trillion infrastructure law, FEMA can help catalyze investments that reduce future disaster costs in the face of more frequent and severe events—from wildfires and droughts to hurricanes, tornados, and floods.

Participants:

Erik Hooks
Deputy Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency

Matthew Chase
CEO and Executive Director, National Association of Counties
@MchaseNACo

Bryan Koon
Vice President of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, IEM; Former Florida Director of Emergency Management

Jason Grumet
President, BPC
@JasonGrumet

Vince Williams
Mayor of Union City, Georgia; President, National League of Cities
@vrw11

Read BPC’s recap of the event here.

Implementing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: Improving Permitting

July 13, 2022

Timely delivery of infrastructure projects is essential to advance national climate goals and bring modernized infrastructure and jobs to meet the needs of communities. The Permitting Council, which was permanently authorized as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, is the agency tasked with improving federal infrastructure permitting and will play a crucial role in ensuring that new federal infrastructure investments are deployed efficiently and impactfully.

Read More About the Permitting Council

Participants:

Christine Harada
Executive Director, Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council
@CHarada_46

Irma Esparza Diggs
Senior Executive Director, Federal Advocacy, NLC
@IrmaDiggs

Xan Fishman
Director of Energy Policy and Carbon Management, BPC
@XanFishman

Mark Ritacco
Chief Government Affairs Officer, NACo
@RitaccoMark

Read BPC’s recap of the event here

Implementing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law at the EPA

August 2, 2022

The BIL provides the EPA with about $60 billion to invest in infrastructure—including the single largest investment in water infrastructure ever from the federal government—that has the potential to bring tangible benefits and jobs to communities in need. But leveraging these federal dollars for maximum impact will require strategic and efficient deployment of resources along with coordination with states, counties, cities, and other federal agencies.

Participants:

Clarence Anthony
CEO and Executive Director, National League of Cities
@ceanthony50

Matthew Chase
CEO and Executive Director, National Association of Counties
@MchaseNACo

Karen Dettmer
Managing Director for Infrastructure Implementation, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water

Michele Nellenbach
Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, Bipartisan Policy Center
@mcnellenbach

Implementing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: Restoring Healthy Ecosystems

September 16, 2022

U.S. Forest Service Chief Randy Moore and U.S. Department of the Interior Senior Advisor and Infrastructure Coordinator Winnie Stachelberg discussed their efforts to implement the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law—to restore healthy ecosystems, reduce the threat of and mitigate the effect from wildland fire, safeguard water supplies, and ensure greater access to federal public lands. The BIL represents a generational opportunity to invest in improving the quality of our nation’s federal public lands and reducing risks from flood, droughts, and fires. Both DOI and USFS received significant funding to address these pressing needs under the BIL and have begun to approve projects to meet these goals.

Participants:

Randy Moore
Chief, United States Forest Service

Winnie Stachelberg
Senior Advisor and Infrastructure Coordinator, U.S. Department of the Interior

Jonathan Shuffield
Legislative Director, Public Lands, National Association of Counties

Carolyn Berndt
Legislative Director, Sustainability, National League of Cities
@BerndtCarolyn

Lesley Jantarasami
Managing Director of the Energy Program, Bipartisan Policy Center
@LJantarasami

Read NACo’s recap of the event here.
Read BPC’s recap of the event here.

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