A recent report card on U.S. infrastructure assigned a C grade, reflecting slight improvements, primarily attributable to significant investments made during Biden's presidency. The report emphasizes the urgent need for resilient infrastructure to face extreme weather events exacerbated by climate change, especially as the U.S. experienced numerous costly disasters in the previous year. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which allocated $550 billion, is set to expire in 2026, necessitating ongoing investment to address outdated systems and climate-related challenges. While some areas saw better grades, substantial gaps in infrastructure investment persist, warranting immediate action.
The bipartisan infrastructure bill helped complete or start 'a lot of really important projects,' said Scott Berry, director of policy and governmental affairs at the US Water Alliance. 'But the gap has widened so much over the last couple of decades that a lot, lot more investment is going to be needed.'
Olson emphasized the importance of infrastructure resilience to climate change, stating that the U.S. experienced 27 weather disasters last year costing over $1 billion each.
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