Have you ever experienced the crushing disappointment of failing a test you knew was important? Our nation can relate. The American Society of Civil Engineers gave our infrastructure a C minus on its quadrennial report card. [1] Even though not a failing grade, climate resilience and health equity do not recognize technicalities. To confront the climate crisis and build a better future, Congress introduced two historic bills: the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (IIJA) and the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA). In this article, we will provide an overview of these Acts, discuss potential benefits to our communities, and explore how Weston can support implementation to foster a more sustainable environment and equitable society.
The IIJA and the IRA are working together to modernize and reinvigorate America’s infrastructure with climate-ready investments in energy, transportation, water, and telecommunications. The IIJA has allocated $1.2 trillion for infrastructure spending, with $550 billion being designated for new investments and programs. [2] Meanwhile, the IRA offers tax credits and other incentives to promote private investment in infrastructure initiatives, reducing the cost of construction and spurring job growth. Together, these Acts constitute a comprehensive approach to infrastructure investment that will help make our nation more efficient, resilient, and secure.
From a broad perspective, the IIJA aims to:
- Repair roads and bridges of economic significance;
- Modernize public transit to reduce the large backlog of repair projects;
- Replace lead pipes to improve drinking water quality;
- Expand our freight and passenger rail network;
- Mitigate traffic congestion to reduce commute times;
- Extend high-speed internet access to rural, low-income, and tribal communities;
- Promote grant and loan programs for passenger and rail safety;
- Build out nationwide electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure;
- Remediate Superfund and Brownfield sites;
- Restore abandoned mine lands; and
- Plug orphaned oil and gas wells.
Today, the IIJA’s generous funding is allowing Weston’s clients to expedite their infrastructure projects faster than ever before, while we are helping them create solutions that are more resilient, sustainable, and equitable to serve marginalized communities. Weston supports several areas under the IIJA, such as restoring water infrastructure; mitigating environmental damage from Superfund and Brownfield sites, abandoned oil and gas wells, and PFAS sources; and installing and operating EV charging stations. In the following paragraphs, we will discuss the underlying factors, central issues, available resources, and Weston’s initiatives.
Water Infrastructure Repair and Environmental Cleanup of Superfund and Brownfield Sites
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is dedicated to tackling problems such as aging or mismanaged water infrastructure and hazardous sites. To emphasize the urgency of these issues, the average age of drinking water supply lines is a 45 years old, causing an estimated 300,000 water main breaks every year. [3] In response, the EPA has allocated $50 billion in federal funding for clean water initiatives, with $11.7 billion of that funding channeled through State Revolving Funds (i.e., federal-state partnerships). [4] This substantial investment will help reduce water scarcity and lessen the impact of groundwater contamination caused by faulty service lines and excessive water leakage.
Given the need for water infrastructure improvements, it is equally important to consider the potential threat that hazardous waste sites pose to human health and the environment. For example, 1 in 6 Americans live within just 3 miles of a toxic waste site, [5] and over 900 Superfund sites are vulnerable to extreme weather events. [6] To address these concerns, the IIJA is providing $3.5 billion for Superfund cleanups[7] and $1.5 billion for Brownfield cleanups. [8] Additionally, the IIJA has reinstated Superfund chemical excise taxes, which are projected to bring in an estimated $14.4 billion in funding for Superfund projects over the next decade. [9] To ensure further progress, Weston will use a variety of mechanisms, such as the Remedial Acquisition Framework, Superfund Technical Assessment and Response Team (START), C Type, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and state and local contracts, to upgrade water assets and remediate sites identified by the EPA.
Explore our water infrastructure repair and environmental cleanup services to discover how we can help create a healthier environment.
Plugging and Abandonment of Orphaned Oil and Gas Wells
Water contamination, leaking toxic chemicals, and noxious gas emissions from over 130,000 orphaned oil and gas wells are endangering millions of Americans, [10] particularly minority and low-income families, who live within a mile of one of these wells. [11] As a result, the IIJA has allocated $4.7 billion for well plugging, remediation, and restoration. [12] The Department of the Interior (DOI) is supervising this nationwide program, which covers wells located on private property, as well as federal, state, and tribal lands. States are eligible for an initial grant of $25 million to start their own programs, with additional funding available based on their inventory of wells and other criteria.[13] For instance, Pennsylvania is eligible for up to $400 million in funding over the next 10 years. [14] Weston is ready to take advantage of this exciting opportunity for growth, combatting market volatility and uncertainty by helping our clients identify, design, and implement practical solutions for affected communities.
Reduce environmental liability and mitigate risk of well leakage with our comprehensive plug and abandonment services.
Sustainable Solutions for PFAS Point Sources
In October 2022, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report on the prevalence of PFAS contamination in drinking water and the ways in which states responded to this contamination. [15] The GAO analyzed PFAS occurrence data from six states with enforceable Maximum Contaminant Levels and organized discussion groups with representatives from 49 states. Notably, the EPA does not yet have sufficient information to ascertain the extent to which disadvantaged communities across the nation are exposed to PFAS in drinking water. [16] Considering the harmful effects of PFAS even at ultra-low concentrations, it is paramount that federal and state authorities prioritize this issue to protect public health. To this end, the IIJA has allocated a considerable amount of PFAS-related funding concentrated on environmental justice:
- $5 billion to small, disadvantaged communities who are otherwise unable to finance necessary work for compliance with drinking water regulations (e.g., addressing emerging contaminants such as PFAS).
- $1 billion under the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) with eligible projects limited to those involving emerging contaminants like PFAS. The CWSRF focuses on wastewater and stormwater infrastructure projects, particularly for rural and tribal communities.
- $4 billion under the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) to address emerging contaminants like PFAS. The DWSRF provides financial support for needed upgrades to drinking water treatment and distribution systems and for improvements to water supply sources.
Weston’s environmental practice is uniquely equipped to address challenges associated with PFAS, clean drinking water, air quality, and risk mitigation/reduction. By staying ahead of the curve with regard to new regulations and technical advances, we can ensure that our work under the IIJA does not impede our commitment to clear and frequent communication with affected stakeholders. Open dialogue is essential for creating and maintaining trust among community members, especially those who have not had their fair share of environmental and infrastructure upgrades. Thus, we are especially focused on providing sustainable solutions for underserved communities; we believe that this approach is the most effective for addressing PFAS contamination.
Let’s take action together to clean up PFAS contamination.
Installation of EV Charging Stations
Fossil fuels are the biggest contributor to climate change and account for 75% of greenhouse gas emissions and 90% of carbon dioxide emissions. [17] Fortunately, a cleaner alternative to diesel- and gasoline-powered vehicles is available in the form of EVs. EVs mark an exciting shift in the way we travel, becoming increasingly more popular due to their energy efficiency, carbon footprint reduction, and other environmental benefits. The IIJA has taken great strides to reduce the environmental impact of transportation and create a more sustainable environment by allocating $7.5 billion to build a national network of EV charging stations, as well as providing incentives such as tax credits and subsidies to make EVs more affordable. As an industry expert in installation, service, and maintenance of EV charging stations, Weston is at the forefront of this shift and have already started to install EV charging stations that align with the IIJA’s mission.
Make the switch to EVs, and take advantage of our turnkey EV charging solutions.
At Weston, we are ready to take on the various projects that will be made possible by the IIJA and IRA’s rollout of funds and initiatives to maximize returns on investments for infrastructure upgrades. We have already successfully secured multiple contracts related to these Acts and are now seeking dependable subcontractors to partner with us. With our expertise in the environmental and infrastructure sector, we are confident we can work together to build a cleaner and safer future.
[1] ASCE, “ASCE’s 2021 American Infrastructure Report Card | GPA: C-,” ASCE’s 2021 Infrastructure Report Card, January 11, 2017, https://infrastructurereportcard.org/
[2] The White House, “UPDATED FACT SHEET: Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act,” The White House, August 3, 2021, https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/08/02/updated-fact-sheet-bipartisan-infrastructure-investment-and-jobs-act/
[3] Peter D. Rogers and Neil S. Grigg, “Failure Assessment Modeling to Prioritize Water Pipe Renewal: Two Case Studies,” Journal of Infrastructure Systems 15, no. 3 (September 2009): 162–71, https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)1076-0342(2009)15:3(162)
[4] Ibid.
[5] Jillian Gordner, “Funding the Future of Superfund,” PIRG, December 2021, https://pirg.org/resources/funding-the-future-of-superfund/
[6] Jacob Carter and Casey Kalman, “A Toxic Relationship: Extreme Coastal Flooding and Superfund Sites,” Union of Concerned Scientists, July 28, 2020, https://www.ucsusa.org/sites/default/files/2020-07/a-toxic-relationship.pdf
[7] EPA, “Cleaning up Superfund Sites: Highlights of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funding,” www.epa.gov, November 16, 2022, https://www.epa.gov/infrastructure/cleaning-superfund-sites-highlights-bipartisan-infrastructure-law-funding
[8] EPA, “Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: A Historic Investment in Brownfields,” www.epa.gov, November 17, 2022, https://www.epa.gov/brownfields/bipartisan-infrastructure-law-historic-investment-brownfields
[9] Lynn Mucenski Keck, “Superfund Excise Tax Is Catching Many Companies by Surprise,” Forbes, July 25, 2022, https://www.forbes.com/sites/lynnmucenskikeck/2022/07/25/superfund-excise-tax-is-catching-many-companies-by-surprise/?sh=3c6f42a7598a
[10] Bureau of Land Management (BLM), “Federal Orphaned Well Program,” www.blm.gov, n.d., https://www.blm.gov/programs/energy-and-minerals/oil-and-gas/federal-orphaned-well-program
[11] DOI, “Biden Administration Announces $1.15 Billion for States to Create Jobs Cleaning up Orphaned Oil and Gas Wells,” www.doi.gov, January 31, 2022, https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/biden-administration-announces-115-billion-states-create-jobs-cleaning-orphaned-oil
[12] DOI, “Overwhelming Interest in Orphan Well Infrastructure Investments,” U.S. Department of the Interior, January 5, 2022, https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDOI/bulletins/30416b5#:~:text=The%20Bipartisan%20Infrastructure%20Law.
[13] Patrick McDonnell, “Prepared Testimony” (Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, February 28, 2022), DEP_FY2022-23_House_Budget_Hearing_Testimony.pdf (state.pa.us)
[14] Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, “Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA),” Department of Environmental Protection, n.d., https://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/Energy/OilandGasPrograms/OilandGasMgmt/LegacyWells/Pages/Infrastructure-Investment-and-Jobs-Act-(IIJA).aspx
[15] GAO, “Persistent Chemicals: EPA Should Use New Data to Analyze the Demographics of Communities with PFAS in Their Drinking Water,” www.gao.gov, September 30, 2022, https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-22-105135
[16] Ibid.
[17] United Nations, “Causes and Effects of Climate Change,” 2022, https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/science/causes-effects-climate-change
