In early November, a Bipartisan Federal Infrastructure Bill was signed into law. This has some positive and some concerning implications for ClimatePlanners throughout our state. Before we dive in, we should acknowledge the numerous articles that break down what exactly was in the bill, including the following links:

• Streetsblog: How the Infrastructure Deal will make transit better?
• NACo: Legislative Analysis of Infrastructure and Jobs Act.
• CalBike: How will the Infrastructure bill impact Bike Riders?
• White House factsheet: The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Will Deliver for California.
• Vox: States Have The Power to Make or Break the Infrastructure Law.

Federal Infrastructure Bill adds money and new eligibility to existing programs

In the Federal Infrastructure Bill, we see an increase in funds for many existing programs. Roads, highways, and bridges will receive around $29.5 billion over the course of five years. Public transportation and active transportation will receive around $9.5 billion and $270 million respectively. While we still see a majority of the funding going towards projects that heavily emphasize cars, and capacity increasing projects, we also see new guidelines that are more inclusive of our climate, equity, and public health goals.

Federal Infrastructure Bill adds new funding programs that are better aligned with ClimatePlan’s priorities

With this infrastructure bill, there is around $550 billion of new spending (nationwide; it is unknown how much is new for the state). Most of this new spending will specifically go towards equity, public health, and climate goals, but it is all competitive grants that the federal government controls, so funding is not guaranteed.

The table below highlights some of the key funding opportunities in the areas ClimatePlan cares the most about:

Shaping Funding Moving Forward

While many of the changes above are great, it does not fix the larger issue. We are continuing to fund programs that prioritize driving, disconnect communities, and increase greenhouse gas emissions. In the Federal Infrastructure bill, roads and highways will still get a significant investment over the next five years. And while there was talk about limiting the use of these funds (to non-capacity increasing projects), the bill does not have these requirements. Similarly, California has discretion on how this funding will be distributed, and whether it will be done equitably. A national analysis conducted by the Urban Institute, finds that previous infrastructure bills typically benefitted white, suburban families that have access to high quality schools and jobs. Communities of color paid a higher price and were disproportionately affected by higher pedestrian fatality rates, longer commutes, and unaffordable transit costs. 

Another concern is that this big investment is not enough to cover transportation needs. For example, the Calbike article reports that the bill's investment in active transportation infrastructure is still not enough, compared to the amount of projects that are out there and the ones that we need. Another concern is public transit funds are being held up by California’s labor law dispute. If there is not a resolution, California won’t be able to receive money set aside for public transit. We will be following these issues closely. 

As funding opportunities present themselves ClimatePlan will be advocating for: 

1. CAPTI’s framework to be used as a means to making transportation funding decisions. 
2. Shifting funding away from outdated and antiquated funding practices towards climate, health, and equity goals.
3. Prioritizing frontline communities that unfairly carry the brunt of the climate crisis and historically lack investments.  

Two Opportunities for more Climate Infrastructure Funding

Build Back Better

In the Build Back Better Plan, there are many opportunities to increase money going towards climate and equity programs. Some of these programs include:

• $9.9 billion of the New Affordable Housing Access program: This program targets underserved communities, and increases incentives and their access to affordable housing near transit.
• $3.95 billion Neighborhood Access and Equity Grant program: This program is similar to the Reconnecting Communities within the recently passed infrastructure bill. The money will go towards increasing access for underserved communities by investing in mass modes of transit. The difference is that the money won’t go towards highway removal.

Budget Surplus

The Legislative Analyst’s Office is projecting a $31 billion budget surplus for 2022-2023. We see this as an opportunity to infuse new funds and prioritize innovative solutions to our climate and equity challenges. 

Shaping how these investments are spent will be vital. ClimatePlan is working to do a more in depth analysis of how our transportation funds will be used. Stay tuned for more on this.