Written By
With the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) is a once-in-a-generation investment in the nation’s infrastructure and economic competitiveness. We were directly appropriated $455 million over five years in BIL funds for programs related to the President’s America the Beautiful initiative.
Learn more about Bipartisan Infrastructure Law , federal agencies are set to launch robust investments that will deliver relief to communities most in need.
For decades, Environmental Justice communities, including low-income, Tribal, and Indigenous communities, and suffered under legacy environmental injustices that made them vulnerable to illness, death, and a myriad of disadvantages. Members are more likely to reside in areas with a higher incidence of contaminants or live near industry and transportation corridors. They bear injustices not often experienced in a higher income area. Environmental Justice communities have also experienced economic collapse caused by the pandemic, triggering high rates of unemployment and slow recovery further compounding their lives.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will provide financial assistance for addressing environmental issues facing inner city communities across the nation, helping fulfill a national need for environment improvement in urban areas. While environmental infrastructure improvements cannot solve all the ills of American society, they do offer opportunities to aid economic revitalization in underserved communities. These infrastructure investments can help build local economies, which attracts private investments and job opportunities and generally improves the quality of life.
Underserved communities have unfortunately become accustomed to lack of funding and services for their communities. As the federal government works to implement the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we must make certain that infrastructure funding will reach these needy and often ignored communities, enabling them to thrive. It is critical to make infrastructure investments in a way that will ensure equity, justice, and healthier outcomes for all.
