Briefing with Mitch Landrieu on Implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

ACEC News / Advocacy

December 23, 2021

Briefing with Mitch Landrieu on Implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

On Wednesday, Mitch Landrieu, President Biden’s senior advisor and infrastructure coordinator, outlined the implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. 

He opened the briefing by emphasizing President Biden’s efforts to unite the country and involve community and private sector leaders to address issues that have plagued the United States over the past two years—this includes supply chain disruptions, unemployment, and the COVID-19 pandemic.  Landrieu said President Biden acknowledges the realities of the country’s exhaustion with COVID-19.  Additionally, he emphasized the importance of infrastructure and domestic investment.  

Landrieu reiterated that the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has resources for roads, bridges, and railways – important components of a strong economy. There are funds for other areas, too, including clean drinking water, clean air, high-speed broadband, climate change adaptation and mitigation, and environmental justice. Landrieu said that President Biden wants infrastructure solutions to be bipartisan and for his cabinet secretaries to focus on equity when implementing the law. Lastly, Landrieu said it is essential there is no waste, fraud, and abuse in the way funds are dispersed.  

Landrieu mentioned that money is being allocated now. He cited an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announcement of $2.9 billion being distributed to states, Tribes, and territories to fix lead pipes.  EPA also dedicated $1 billion for superfund site elimination across 24 states. $52 billion has been provided to states through the Department of Transportation (DOT) for road and bridge repair and modernization, while $2.89 billion was given to 3,075 airports through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to invest in runways, taxiways, safety and sustainability projects, and terminals. 

Landrieu concluded by highlighting a recently released plan from the DOT and the Department of Energy (DOE) which outlined how the agencies would spend $7.5 billion to construct 500,000 electric vehicle charging stations. Ultimately, according to Landrieu, there is cross-agency collaboration as well as federal-, state-, and local-level coordination. 

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