Industry groups are offering modest praise for the funds allocated for water infrastructure in the $825-billion economic stimulus package, saying the funding levels are a good start. “It’s a huge increase over what’s been appropriated in the past,” says Karen Lapsovic, director of tax, fiscal affairs and infrastructure finance at the Associated General Contractors. But the same industry groups are quick to point out that much more is needed to even to begin to fix the nation’s ailing water infrastructure. Related Links: Proposal in House Fires Up Debate Does Massive Spending Help or Hurt in Long Run? Modest Program Favors
Driven by a need for speedy delivery and an overarching demand for energy-efficient systems, federal buildings appear ready for a significant facelift in the near future, if proposed stimulus funds come through. Photo courtesy of Sunpower Corp. Energized. Projects like adding photovoltaics to Dept. of Energy headquarters are likely winners. Related Links: Proposal in House Fires Up Debate Does Massive Spending Help or Hurt in Long Run? Modest Program Favors Jump-Start Fix-up Effort Highway Aid Has Some Strings Attached Advocates Hope To Fly, Sail or Roll To Reform Funds Will Energize Long-Delayed Projects A Big Drop, But It’s A Really
Highways and bridges are major winners under House Democrats’ economic stimulus proposal, garnering $30 billion, the largest sum for any single public-works sector in the $825-billion package. If the $30 billion holds through further congressional action, it would represent about a 75% bonus on top of the $41-billion federal highway obligation ceiling for all of 2008. John Horsley, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials’ executive director, says, “We of course have the capability to do more [than $30 billion], but that’s a very healthy boost to highway investment and we’re very pleased.” Related Links: Proposal in House Fires
In his Jan. 20 inaugural address, President Barack Obama focused on broad themes, asking his vast audience to �begin again the work of remaking America.� He said the economy needs �action, bold and swift� and then got more specific, talking about building �roads and bridges and electric grids.� That phrase no doubt grabbed the attention of recession-wounded construction officials who hope that their immediate priority, an infrastructure-oriented economic stimulus bill, also will rise to the front of the new President�s agenda. Photo: AP/Wideworld Obama called for �action, bold and swift� to aid economy, citing roads, bridges. Photo: AP/Wideworld Pelosi calls
A huge infusion of money for the Energy Dept. is being proposed to help modernize the U.S. electricity grid and develop electric vehicles and other cutting-edge energy technologies. Power contractors are enthusiastic about the effects on the industry and states are getting in line for their share. The House bill would pump billions of dollars into DOE programs, including $11 billion to develop a “smart grid.” It also would provide $8 billion for loans for renewable energy and transmission lines linking wind farms in the rural heartland to urban areas. Adding transmission capacity and smart grid development are planned. Related
The first place the Obama administration can triumph or mess up is the $825-billion proposed economic stimulus package�the new administration�s centerpiece plan. At question is whether a spending plan such as what the House of Representatives is now considering is a vital Keynesian solution to what ails the U.S. economy or a hindrance to a vibrant business rebound that won�t depend on massive government spending. The answer to that may be hidden in the fog of historical controversy about what really happened during the Great Depression. Photo: National Archives and Records Administration Bricklayer was one of millions employed by WPA
President Obama outlined his education goals broadly in his inaugural address: “We will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age.” The White House Website offers more specifics of the new administration’s comprehensive vision of educational reform but the real nitty gritty at the schoolhouse bricks-and-mortar level is tucked deeply into the Democrats’ draft economic stimulus bill, where $20 billion is earmarked for school remodeling, renovation and repair. Another $100 million would go for school rehab on federal lands. Related Links: Proposal in House Fires Up Debate Does Massive Spending Help or Hurt
Also part of the new stimulus plan are hundreds of billions of dollars in proposed tax cuts aimed at stanching job losses and prompting businesses and municipalities to make growth-producing investments. Industry officials welcome them, but some are not convinced they will have the economic impact legislators and the Obama administration envision. Photo: Mortenson Wind-power production tax credits need to be streamlined, proponents say. Related Links: Proposal in House Fires Up Debate Does Massive Spending Help or Hurt in Long Run? Modest Program Favors Jump-Start Fix-up Effort Highway Aid Has Some Strings Attached Advocates Hope To Fly, Sail or Roll
If the House stimulus bill passes, water resource and navigation would get $5.4 billion distributed by four federal agencies: the Army Corps of Engineers, the International Boundary and Water Commission, the Natural Resources Conservation Service of the Dept. of Agriculture and the Coast Guard. Photo: USIBWC Lower Rio Grande River levee upgrade program would get major infusion Related Links: Proposal in House Fires Up Debate Does Massive Spending Help or Hurt in Long Run? Modest Program Favors Jump-Start Fix-up Effort Highway Aid Has Some Strings Attached Advocates Hope To Fly, Sail or Roll To Reform Funds Will Energize Long-Delayed Projects
The $825-billion economic stimulus proposal that House Democrats unveiled on Jan. 15 provides the first firm numbers for construction industry executives who for months have been searching anxiously for hints about the plan. Infrastructure advocates panned the proposal as far short of what is needed. Pelosi says “this is the first step.” But with House of Representatives committee and floor votes and Senate action still to come, the package is far from the last word on the stimulus. As drafted, the plan would have a major impact on construction. By ENR’s calculation, the package has about $135 billion in construction