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The Biden administration has revealed plans to distribute $830 million in grants aimed at improving U.S. infrastructure to better withstand the effects of climate change. EcoWatch, which was established in 2005 in Ohio as an environmental newspaper, is now a digital platform focused on sharing high-quality, scientifically-backed content related to environmental topics, causes, and potential solutions.
The Biden administration has revealed plans to provide nearly $830 million in funding for 80 projects nationwide aimed at enhancing deteriorating roadways. These investments are intended to increase the resilience of transportation infrastructure to extreme weather events like heat waves, floods, rising sea levels, and other effects of climate change.
A new set of awards, the first of their kind, are being supported by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law's PROTECT Discretionary Grant Program. This program, along with existing PROTECT Formula funding allocated to states for similar initiatives, is funding the awards. This information was shared in a press release from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) of the United States Department of Transportation.
Pete Buttigieg, the U.S. Secretary of Transportation, expressed concerns about the impact of extreme weather on transportation infrastructure, noting that climate change has made these events more severe and frequent. He emphasized that America's infrastructure was not designed to withstand the current climate conditions, leading to real consequences for people across the country.
The government has allocated over $50 billion for climate adaptation and resilience efforts through the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This funding will support the creation of a National Climate Resilience Framework to help communities implement strategies to better prepare for the impacts of climate change.
According to the press release, the majority of the U.S. transportation system was constructed before the rise of more frequent and intense extreme weather events we experience today. These weather events are now causing more harm to transportation infrastructure.
Funding from the PROTECT program will be used for various projects aimed at improving the durability of infrastructure such as roads, bridges, public transportation, ports, sidewalks, and intercity passenger rail systems. Enhancing their ability to withstand natural disasters and wear and tear will lead to cost savings by lowering the need for frequent repairs and maintenance in the present and future.
Buttigieg explained in the press release that extreme weather events, exacerbated by climate change, are negatively impacting America's transportation infrastructure. This includes wildfires disrupting freight rail lines in California, mudslides closing highways in Colorado, droughts halting barge traffic on the Mississippi River, and subways in New York being flooded. These events are not only cutting off people's ability to reach their destinations, but also disrupting supply chains and potentially increasing the cost of goods.
FHWA is giving out grants in 37 states, the Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia in four different categories.
Shailen Bhatt, the administrator of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), stated in a press release that every community in America is experiencing the impacts of climate change and extreme weather. This includes more frequent heavy rain and flooding events, as well as rising sea levels causing damage to infrastructure in coastal states. The investment from the Biden-Harris Administration will help ensure that infrastructure is constructed to withstand unpredictable and increasingly frequent extreme weather events. This is crucial for people and businesses that depend on open roads and bridges to keep the economy running smoothly.
Underprivileged communities are frequently the most vulnerable to dangers, and the grant program aims to promote environmental equity by meeting the needs of these communities.
The press release stated that the program was open to applicants from various levels of government, such as local governments, Tribes, and state Departments of Transportation, to apply for discretionary grants from PROTECT. These grants aim to support communities in becoming more resilient, safe, healthy, equitable, and economically prosperous in alignment with the National Climate Resilience Framework objectives.
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