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Infrastructure Bill Funds Reduced While Greener Transportation on Horizon08-12-21 | News

Infrastructure Bill Funds Reduced While Greener Transportation on Horizon

Bill Cuts Back Highway Removal Plan

Despite prior plans, the updated deal leaves in place older transportation ideals that favor roadways rather than public transport. This plan features $280 billion in new transportation spending over the course of five years. Meanwhile, electric vehicle chargers and road safety programs were negotiated down to half in the final bill.

The White House originally called for $25 billion to help take down highways and rebuild communities. In the final deal that was recently passed, the sum was shaved down to $1 billion.

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The bill includes subsides for electric cars, rules to reduce carbon emissions, roadway management and funding for public transit. Meanwhile, 62 House Democrats signed a letter stating the federal government should abandon a convention where roads get $4 for every $1 transit receives and instead receive a straight 50-50 split.

"This is our opportunity to make sure every single American who drives a car, takes a bus, uses a train, steps onboard an aircraft, drinks water out of the tap - in other words, every single American - sees their life get better," Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said.

Rep. Paul Tonko, the House subcommittee chair on the environment and climate change in the Energy and Commerce Committee said lawmakers would look to add other ideas from a transportation and water bill that was passed in the House into the Senate proposal as well.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2021/07/30/transportation-infrastructure-deal/

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