
BROOKINGS INSTITUTION
METROPOLITAN POLICY PROGRAM
John Hennessy III,
P.E.
Howard Jennings is Managing Director of Mobility Lab, a source of research and best practices for advocates to increase awareness and education about more and advanced transportation options for people.
“The basic infrastructure is something that people find pretty easy to take for granted, and it creeps up on them and they don’t realize that it’s getting worse and worse and worse. And so we at Mobility Lab are trying to put the emphasis back on helping people recognize that their quality of life is eroding and their ability to spend time with their family, the stress of their day-to-day lives and all these things are a result of our collective failure to invest in infrastructure…”
ASSOCIATION OF EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURERS (AEM)
NORTHWESTERN ENGINEERING TRANSPORTATION CENTER
Supported by a grant from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, Northwestern University’s Transportation Center undertook an exploration of the factors, needs, and opportunities facing U.S. transportation infrastructure in the next 35 years. The objective of the study was not to forecast the future, but to frame the possibilities and thus to inform the public and policy makers about future needs for transportation infrastructure.
SECURING AMERICA’S ENERGY FUTURE
ENERGY SECURITY LEADERSHIP COUNCIL
Too often, America’s exposure to the risks of oil dependence has been measured by consumers and
policymakers as a function of the price of oil at a specific point in time or our level of reliance on foreign
suppliers. The result has been long periods of inaction and inattention after each crisis, which simply
leaves the country dangerously exposed for the inevitable next crisis. The risk of such complacence
today is high. Low oil prices have reduced the sense of urgency shared throughout the country as
recently as 2014. Yet just as it has been so many times before, the oil market is in the midst of a cycle.
We must be better prepared when the tide once again turns.
INTERNATIONAL RENEWABLE ENERGY AGENCY (IRENA)
The reduction of pollution and climate impact through rapidly increased use of renewable energy by 2030 could save up to USD 4.2 trillion per year worldwide, 15 times the associated costs of doubling the share of renewables. Today’s energy markets, however, do not adequately value climate impact or air pollution. Energy and environmental policies need to correct for these externalities.
BIPARTISAN POLICY CENTER
We have an extraordinary opportunity in America — to confront the pressure being placed on our nation’s roads, water systems, ports, airports, and energy grid with available private capital. This report establishes the framework to unite projects that need funding with private capital ready to invest in a transparent system that allocates risks and resources to the public’s benefit.
NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES
Most cities are limited in terms of the number and scope of infrastructure funding tools. Cities also face additional implementation hurdles like county administration overlays and voter approval requirements. Of course, cities are marrying the tools explored here with others, but a patchwork of tactics will only take them so far. Cities need a more deliberate approach that recognizes the central role of infrastructure in the success of our nation’s economic engines…This report presents a state-by-state analysis and comparison of the local tools to fund infrastructure, including local option taxes and fees, such as sales taxes, fuel taxes and motor vehicle fees, as well as emerging mechanisms like state infrastructure banks and public-private partnerships.
Janette Sadik-Khan recently published Streetfight: Handbook for an Urban Revolution, an empowering road map for rethinking, reinvigorating, and redesigning our cities, from a pioneer in the movement for safer, more livable streets.
“What we’ve seen is that people really want to be in places, whether they’re young or old, that are safe, that are fun, where the quality of life is good and they’ve got lots of ways to get around that don’t involve driving…I think that what we need to do is also update our cities and update our streets to reflect the way that people want to use them.”
View this complete post...To keep parks open, we have to find a sustainable funding source for maintenance and operations. If Congress can’t approve more appropriations for the parks, the NPS will be forced to make systemic changes. The slope is already sliding toward private investment, but it’s up to the American people (and policymakers) to decide what will ultimately happen.
View this complete post...The U.S. Department of Transportation is working to expand access to opportunity for all Americans.
View this complete post...Follow InfrastructureUSA
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Steve Anderson
Managing Director
SteveAnderson@InfrastructureUSA.org
917-940-7125