TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES:
I have enclosed with this message my Administration’s framework for
rebuilding infrastructure in America.Our Nation’s infrastructure is in an
unacceptable state of disrepair, which damages our country’s competitiveness
and our citizens’ quality of life.For too long, lawmakers have invested in
infrastructure inefficiently, ignored critical needs, and allowed it to
deteriorate.As a result, the United States has fallen further and further behind
other countries.It is time to give Americans the working, modern
infrastructure they deserve.
To help build a better future for all Americans, I ask the Congress to act soon on an
infrastructure bill that will:stimulate at least $1.5 trillion in new investment over
the next 10 years, shorten the process for approving projects to 2 years or less,
address unmet rural infrastructure needs, empower State and local authorities,
and train the American workforce of the future.
To develop the infrastructure framework I am transmitting today, my
Administration engaged with Governors, mayors, Federal agencies, State and local
agencies, Members of Congress, industry, and most importantly, the American
people who depend on upgraded infrastructure.The product of these efforts is a
roadmap for the Congress to draft and pass the most comprehensive
infrastructure bill in our Nation’s history.My Administration’s plan addresses
more than traditional infrastructure -- like roads, bridges, and airports -- but
addresses other needs like drinking and wastewater systems, waterways, water
resources, energy, rural infrastructure, public lands, veterans’ hospitals, and
Brownfield and Superfund sites.The reforms set forth in my plan will strengthen
the economy, make our country more competitive, reduce the costs of goods and
services for American families, and enable Americans to build their lives on top of
the best infrastructure in the world.
My Administration is committed to working with the Congress to enact a law that
will enable America’s builders to construct new, modern, and efficient
infrastructure throughout our beautiful land.
THE WHITE HOUSE,
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART 1—FUNDING AND FINANCING INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS .... 3
I.INFRASTRUCTURE INCENTIVES PROGRAM ........... 3
A.Establishment of the Incentives Program .... 3
B.Applicability . 3
C.Funding ........ 3
D.Applications and Evaluation Criteria .......... 4
E.Incentive Grant Awards ....... 5
II. RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM ........ 5
A.Establishment of Rural Infrastructure Program ...... 5
B.Applicability . 6
C.Funding ........ 6
D.Distribution of Rural Infrastructure Program Formula Funds ....... 6
E.Applications and Evaluation Criteria for Rural Performance Grants ......... 7
F.Tribal Infrastructure7
G.Territorial Infrastructure ..... 7
III. TRANSFORMATIVE PROJECTS PROGRAM. 7
A.Establishment of Transformative Projects Program 8
B.Applicability . 8
C.Funding ....... 8
D.Funding Tracks ........ 8
E.Technical Assistance9
F.Applications and Evaluation Criteria .......... 9
G.Partnership Agreement and Project Milestones .. 9
H.Value Sharing Structure for Capital Construction Track .... 9
I.Performance Monitoring and Oversight ...... 9
IV. INFRASTRUCTURE FINANCING PROGRAMS ...... 10
A.Expand Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) Funding and Broaden
Program Eligibility10
B.Expand Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing (RRIF) and Broaden Program Eligibility 10
C.Expand Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) Funding and Broaden Program
Eligibility ... 11
D.Expand Department of Agriculture Rural Utilities Service (RUS) Lending Programs Funding ... 13
E.Create Flexibility and Broaden Eligibility to Facilitate use of Private Activity Bonds (PABs) .... 13
V. PUBLIC LANDS INFRASTRUCTURE16
A.Establish Interior Maintenance Fund ........ 17
VI. DISPOSITION OF FEDERAL REAL PROPERTY ..... 17
A.Codify Accelerated Depreciation for the Disposition of Non-Federal Assets with a Federal Interest Due
to Grant Receipt ..... 17
B.Streamline and Improve the Federal Real Property Disposal Process ..... 17
C.Authorize Federal Divestiture of Assets that Would Be Better Managed by State, Local, or Private
Entities ....... 19
VII. FEDERAL CAPITAL FINANCING FUND .... 19
A.Create Federal Capital Financing Fund ... 19
PART 2—ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS FOR INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS 20
I. TRANSPORTATION ...... 20
A. Financing ... 20
B. Highways ... 22C. Transit ........ 24
D. Rail25
E. Airports ...... 26
II. WATER INFRASTRUCTURE .. 27
A. Financing ... 27
B. Water Programs ..... 27
C. Inland Waterways .. 28
D. Water Infrastructure Resources ..... 29
III. VETERANS AFFAIRS . 31
A.Provide VA Real Property Flexibilities ..... 31
IV. LAND REVITALIZATION (BROWNFIELD/SUPERFUND REFORM) ....... 32
A.Create a Superfund Revolving Loan Fund and Grant Program and Authorize National Priorities List
Sites to be Eligible for Brownfield Grants . 32
B.Provide Liability Relief for States and Municipalities Acquiring Contaminated Property through Actions
as Sovereign Governments . 33
C. Provide EPA Express Settlement Authority to Enter into Administrative Agreements ...... 33
D.Integrate Cleanup, Infrastructure and Long-term Stewardship Needs by Creating Flexibility in Funding
and Execution Requirements ......... 34
PART 3—INFRASTRUCTURE PERMITTING IMPROVEMENT .. 35
I.FEDERAL ROLE35
A.Establishing a “One Agency, One Decision” Environmental Review Structure ... 35
B. Reducing Inefficiencies in Environmental Reviews ........... 35
C. Protecting Clean Water with Greater Efficiency ... 42
D. Reducing Inefficiencies in the Magnuson Stevens Act ....... 44
E. Reducing Inefficiencies in Protecting Clean Air .... 44
F. Reducing Inefficiencies in Preserving Publicly Owned Land and Historic Properties ..... 45
II.DELEGATION TO STATES ...... 47
A. Expand Department of Transportation NEPA Assignment Program to Other Agencies ... 47
B.Allow States to Assume FHWA Responsibilities for Approval of Right-of-Way Acquisitions ........ 47
C. Broaden NEPA Assignment Program to Include Other Determinations ... 48
III. PILOT PROGRAMS ..... 48
A. Performance-Based Pilot ... 48
B. Negotiated Mitigation Pilot ........... 49
IV.JUDICIAL REFORM ... 49
A. Limit Injunctive Relief to Exceptional Circumstances ....... 49
B.Revise Statute of Limitations for Federal Infrastructure Permits or Decisions to 150 Days ........ 50
C.Provide Certainty in Claims on Currentness of Data in Environmental Reviews and Permits ..... 50
PART 4—WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT51
I. ACCESS TO EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS ..... 51
A.Expand Pell Grant Eligibility to High-Quality, Short-Term Programs ..... 51
B. Reform Career and Technical Education .. 52
C.Strengthen Ties to the Workforce for College Students ..... 52
II. EMPOWERING WORKERS ..... 53
A.Reform Licensing Requirements for Individuals Seeking a Job on an Infrastructure Project ....... 53。