Rep. Panetta Votes to Pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) voted to pass the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to make crucial investments in our physical infrastructure. These investments will deliver clean transportation solutions and climate resiliency, fix the ongoing supply chain crisis, address our aging western water infrastructure, and create millions of good-paying jobs. This major investment in our nation's infrastructure and transportation will make the American economy more competitive, resilient, and sustainable.

"For far too long we've underinvested in our nation's infrastructure. Despite reaching this inflection point about the direction of our country, Congress came together tonight and passed the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act," said Congressman Panetta. "This legislation will make significant investments in our infrastructure that will improve our supply chains, bolster our economy, increase jobs, help prevent wildfires, enhance rural broadband, broaden our water resources, and fight the effects of climate change. I'm proud to have worked on and supported such a transformational and bipartisan bill that clearly will strengthen the foundation upon which our democracy can go forward and lead in the 21st Century."

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill includes:

• Wildfire Resiliency – it includes $3.369 billion to the Department of the Interior and USDA-Forest Service for wildfire risk reduction by providing funding for community wildfire defense grants, mechanical thinning, controlled burns, the Collaborative Forest Restoration Program, and firefighting resources.
  • It also includes provisions of Rep. Panetta's REPLANT Act, which will create nearly 49,000 jobs over the next decade and prevent damaging mudslides after intense wildfire seasons.

• Supply Chain Fixes – it includes $17 billion for port infrastructure, which will help expand ports and ease the supply chain crisis.
  • $9.5 billion for the Army Corps of engineers
  • $4 billion for Operations and Maintenance, the account that services the maintenance dredging in the Santa Cruz Harbor.

• Water Infrastructure – it includes $55 billion in investments for water infrastructure, specifically $8.3 billion for the Bureau of Reclamation for western water infrastructure.
  • $3.2 billion for aging water infrastructure
  • $1.15 billion for water storage, groundwater storage, and conveyance projects
  • $250 million for desalination projects
  • $1 billion for rural water projects
  • $300 million for a Drought Contingency Plan
  • $400 million for WaterSMART Water and Energy Efficiency Grants
  • $100 million for the Cooperative Watershed Management Program
  • $250 million for the Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Program
  • $100 million for multi-benefit watershed projects

• Repairs Roads & Bridges – it includes $110 billion dedicated to new roads, bridges, and major surface transportation projects.
  • $40 billion for bridge repair, replacement, and rehabilitation.
  • $5.25 billion for the Low-No (emission) bus grant program.

• Invests in Public Transit– it includes $39 billion in new investments for public transit, which will benefit Monterey-Salinas Transit and Santa Cruz Metro.

• Expands Broadband – it includes $65 billion to ensure every American has access to reliable high-speed internet, all the more critical after COVID.
  • $40 billion in grants to states for deployment.
  • $600 million for Private Activity Bonds to finance broadband deployment, specifically for projects in rural areas.
  • $2 billion for broadband programs administered by the UDSA, including the ReConnect Program, which provides loans and grants to fund the construction, acquisition, or improvement of facilities and equipment that provide broadband service in rural areas.

• Energy Grid Resiliency – it includes $27.65 in grid infrastructure and resilience that will help keep the lights on in the face of extreme weather and natural disasters, reducing the need for Public Safety Power Shutoffs.

• Clean Energy Supply Chains – it includes $7.7 billion for clean energy supply chains.
  • $3 billion for battery materials
  • $3 billion for battery manufacturing and recycling grants

• EV Charging Stations – it includes $7.5 billion to build out a national network of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, which will accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles.

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