Over the last four year mayors from red and blue districts waited for an infrastructure bill that never came. During that time, local governments patiently saved for capital projects and ongoing infrastructure maintenance. But, COVID-19 redirected many of those funds and efforts. Now, these districts are in dire need of infrastructure support- from new roads and rehabbed bridges to energy grid updates and more expansive broadband systems.
Starting January 21st, Biden brought new hope for U.S. cities with his infrastructure vision. His administration will focus on job creation through building an EV charging network, promoting zero-emissions public transit, investing in renewable energy, and supporting new energy efficiency standards. These initiatives, and the associated funding, will be funneled into cities where local leadership has long been waiting for federal leadership.
Wonder how this will happen? Biden has created an A-Team to address issues cities are facing throughout the country.
The Rebuilder: Michael Regan
To make sure the U.S. can meet it’s environmental obligations, Biden nominated Michael Regan, NC’s head of the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), to lead the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Regan’s work at DEQ went far beyond the country’s largest coal ash cleanup. He had the tough work of reversing the DEQ’s bad morale. This sets him up to take over an agency in desperate need of rebuilding and reconstruction. With past federal leadership on air quality and energy efficiency initiatives, you can look to Regan to:
Reinstate auto emission regulations
Chart a green power plan for the country
Focus on environmental justice for poor and minority communities
The Industry Insider: Jennifer Granholm
A new report found that the U.S. will need to add 50 million electric vehicles, increase wind and solar investments, and expand transmission infrastructure by 60 percent in the next 10 years to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Given that challenge who better to lead the charge than Jennifer Granholm? As Governor of Michigan, she oversaw the Great Recession’s impact on automakers and understands the need for the industry to evolve. Since transportation is the greatest source of pollution in the U.S., Biden’s green energy plans will push automakers faster towards an electric vehicle future. But, Granholm’s experience is broader still. Previously as Governor, she set aggressive energy goals and disrupted the development of coal-fired power plants. You will see her:
Push for electric vehicle sales to increase beyond 2% per year
Advance clean energy research and implement an Advanced Research Projects Agency on climate solutions
Expedite renewable energy projects
The Policy Wonk: Pete Buttigieg
During his 2020 presidential bid, Buttigieg put together a comprehensive infrastructure plan that spoke to his unique understanding of what cities need. Buttigieg was one of the first mayors to sign up with LimeBike and he oversaw a $21 million effort to build street projects as a means of economic revitalization. As a true policy wonk, Buttigieg will propose and defend some technical solutions to grand problems. With an insolvent Highway Trust Fund, underfunded transit systems, a growing new mobility field (AV, micromobility, etc.), and a floundering air transportation industry, this is probably the best place for him to be. Look forward to seeing proposals that:
Replace the gas tax with VMT tax to address the dwindling Highway Trust Fund
Focus on Vision Zero programs to eliminate traffic fatalities
Connect rural to urban core with new technology and infrastructure
The Advocate: Marcia Fudge
We are heading into one of the most difficult periods of American housing reform. Before COVID-19, nearly 21 million households were rent burdened. Now, 30 to 40 million Americans could face evictions as moratoriums end. This has put immense pressure on programs from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), programs that cities heavily depend on. Marcia Fudge, Biden’s Secretary of HUD and once a mayor herself, might be new to housing policy but she is no stranger to the struggles low-income households face. During her time in Congress, she worked extensively on food and nutrition policies. Most recently, her opposition to restrictions on food stamp and the SNAP program helped protect nearly 700,000 Americans from poverty and hunger. Be on the lookout for policies that will aim to:
Reduce the racial wealth gap through homeownership programs for minorities
Extend FHA’s foreclosure and eviction moratorium