AT ROUNDTABLE, REP. JONES HIGHLIGHTS INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT AND JOBS ACT, DISCUSSES HOW THE TRANSFORMATIVE LEGISLATION CAN DELIVER FOR NEW YORKERS
One Year After Passage, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Has Already Delivered $9.3 Billion in Long-Overdue Investments for Projects Across New York State; Rep. Jones, Alongside Federal, State, and Local Officials Discussed Details of Grant Programs and Funding Opportunities for New Projects in NY-17
New York State Fact Sheet On IIJA Investments
Greenburgh, NY — Today, U.S. Representative Mondaire Jones (D-NY) held a roundtable discussion in Greenburgh, NY, with representatives from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Transit Administration, DOT Federal Highway Administration, the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council, and local municipal officials to highlight the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), its impact on working families in Westchester and Rockland Counties, and available grant funding and project opportunities. One year after becoming law, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act — also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law — has delivered historic investments in our country’s roads, bridges, rail, public transportation, water systems, climate resiliency, and affordable high-speed internet accessibility – while creating good-paying jobs and new opportunities that prepare America for a stronger, cleaner future. The landmark legislation has already delivered more than $9 billion in announced funding for projects in New York State, and helped more than a million households in the state access affordable internet.
“The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will be transformative for our communities,” said Rep. Jones. “For too long, underserved, low-income areas have gone without basic necessities like internet access, public transportation, and safe, clean drinking water – this lack of investment has too often hit communities of color the hardest. This bill delivers billions of dollars in investments to create good paying jobs, strengthen American competition, fortify our country against the climate crisis, and help our communities fully participate in our 21st-century economy. I was proud to have helped pass this transformative legislation and I will keep working across our levels of government to ensure that our communities have the opportunity to fund and complete the vital infrastructure projects they need.”
“I would like to thank Congressman Mondaire Jones and his colleagues in Congress for recognizing the importance of funding infrastructure initiatives,” said Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner. “Our bridges, roads, municipal buildings, and water stations need to be maintained. Thanks to members of Congress like Congressman Jones, local, county and state governments will be able to do more to address important infrastructure needs, important jobs will be created for our residents, and our quality of life will be enhanced. This roundtable discussion will provide officials in Congressman Jones’ district with important information that will enable us to learn how to get the maximum help available from the federal government.”
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will bring essential funding to New York, particularly for underserved communities, low-income communities, and communities of color that have often been overlooked for investments in critical public infrastructure like broadband internet, drinking water, and roads and transportation. New York has already received $9.3 billion in funding with 150 specific projects identified for funding. Billions more will be delivered to New York through formula funding and grant awards that local, county, and state officials can apply and compete for.
Specifically, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (or Bipartisan Infrastructure Law) will:
- Repair and rebuild our roads and bridges with a focus on climate change mitigation, resilience, equity, and safety. Based on formula funding, New York is expected to receive approximately $13.6 billion over five years in federal funding for highways and bridges. $5.5 billion in funding has already been announced for restoration of New York’s roads, bridges, highways.
- Improve the safety and sustainability of our transportation system. Based on formula funding, New York would expect to receive about $11.2 billion over five years to improve public transportation options across the state. This funding will expand healthy, sustainable transportation options in New York, where non-White households are 2.5 times more likely to commute via public transportation. $2.1 billion has already been announced to restore and expand public transportation statewide. The bill also includes over $10 billion for investments across the country for clean public transit and school buses. This includes a $5 billion investment over the next five years to replace existing school buses with zero-emission and low-emission models. Use of clean school buses promotes cleaner air, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and reduces health risks, especially for children.
- Modernize and expand passenger rail and improve freight rail efficiency and safety. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law includes $102 billion to eliminate the Amtrak maintenance backlog, modernize the Northeast Corridor, and bring world-class rail service to areas outside the northeast and mid-Atlantic. New York will be eligible for $10 billion in competitive rail improvement and safety grants and $5.5 billion in competitive grants for grade crossing safety improvements.
- Improve our nation’s airports. Airports in New York could receive approximately $685 million in funding for infrastructure development for airports over five years. This funding will address needs such as improving runways, taxiways and airport-owned towers, terminal development projects, and noise reduction projects. In addition, $5 billion in discretionary funding is available over five years for airport terminal development projects that address the aging infrastructure of our nation’s airports, including projects that expand accessibility for persons with disabilities, improve access for historically disadvantaged populations, improve energy efficiency, and improve airfield safety. New York has already received more than $156 million to restore and develop airports.
- Build a network of EV chargers to facilitate long-distance travel and provide convenient charging options. Building a national network of electric vehicle chargers in the United States supports our efforts to address the climate crisis and expand domestic manufacturing jobs. Through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program, New York would expect to receive more than $175 million in formula funding over five years to support the expansion of electric vehicle charging in the state. New York has been allocated $63.3 million in 2022 and 2023 to build out a network of EV chargers across the state.
- Expand high-speed internet access. High-speed internet is necessary for Americans to do their jobs, participate in school, access health care, and stay connected. Yet nearly 21% of New Yorkers do not have an internet subscription. Experts estimate that as many as 3 million households in New York are eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program, which cuts internet bills by up to $30 per month, or $75 for households on Tribal lands, and provides a one-time $100 discount off a connected device. The legislation provides further cost savings by working with internet providers to offer high-speed internet plans that are fully covered by the Affordable Connectivity Program — eliminating internet costs for many eligible households. New York has already received $100 million to expand broadband access to almost 200,000 New Yorkers and make internet access more affordable for over a million low-income households in the state.
- Deliver clean water to all American families and eliminate the nation’s lead service lines. Currently, up to 10 million American households and 400,000 schools and child care centers lack safe drinking water. The legislation will invest in water infrastructure and eliminate lead service pipes, including in Tribal Nations and disadvantaged communities that need it most. The bill also delivers critical funding to address dangerous PFAS chemicals. New York has already been awarded $472 million to improve water infrastructure and ensure access to clean, safe drinking water.
- Upgrade our power infrastructure to deliver clean, reliable energy across the country and deploy cutting-edge energy technology to achieve a zero-emissions future. The legislation makes historic investments in power infrastructure, grid resiliency, and building thousands of miles of new transmission lines to deliver clean, affordable electricity. It also invests in clean energy technologies to lower costs for homes. Roughly $437 million has been allocated to New York to upgrade power infrastructure and promote clean, efficient energy.
- Make our infrastructure resilient against the impacts of climate change, cyber-attacks, and extreme weather events. Millions of Americans feel the effects of climate change each year when their roads wash out, power goes down, or schools get flooded. In the last decade, New York has experienced 34 extreme weather events, costing the state up to $100 billion in damages. People of color are more likely to live in areas most vulnerable to flooding and other climate change-related weather events. The legislation delivers over $50 billion to protect against droughts, heat, floods and wildfires, in addition to a major investment in weatherization. The legislation is the largest investment in the resilience of physical and natural systems in American history. New York has so far received nearly $233 million for infrastructure resilience against future climate impacts.
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About Mondaire: Mondaire Jones is the 35-year-old Congressman from New York’s 17th District, serving Westchester and Rockland Counties. He serves on the House Judiciary, Education and Labor, and Ethics Committees and is the first openly gay, Black member of Congress. He also serves as the youngest member of the Democratic House leadership team, Deputy Whip of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and Co-Chair of the LGBTQ Equality Caucus. A product of East Ramapo public schools, Mondaire was raised in Section 8 housing and on food stamps by a single mother who worked multiple jobs to provide for their family. He later graduated from Stanford University, worked at the Department of Justice during the Obama Administration, and graduated from Harvard Law School. He is a co-founder of the nonprofit Rising Leaders, Inc. and has previously served on the NAACP’s National Board of Directors and on the board of the New York Civil Liberties Union.