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Infrastructure & Jobs

Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act*
 “Generations from now, people will look back and know this is when America won the economic competition for the 21st Century.” – President Biden

[The bill will provide] “hundreds of thousands of good-paying jobs  and ensure that our nation’s infrastructure meets 21st century needs. – Sen. Martin Heinrich
 
What is in the $1 Trillion Infrastructure Bill for New Mexico?
At least $3.5 Billion for:
ROADS AND BRIDGES 
More than $2.5 billion — would go toward repairing and rebuilding New Mexico roads and bridges.
  • $2.5 billion for federal-aid highway apportioned programs
  • $225 million for bridge replacement and repairs, over five years.
Background: New Mexico Transportation Secretary Michael Sandoval says, “We have here in New Mexico close to a $3 billion need [for roads and bridges] so this will definitely help us try and eat into that need that we have and hopefully continue us on the right path to get a lot of our infrastructure improved.”  
But that’s not all!  New Mexico will receive an additional $100 million to the about $400 million a year that the state receives in federal funding for transportation.
But that’s not all!  New Mexico can also compete for:
  •  the $12.5 billion Bridge Investment Program for economically significant bridges 
  • nearly $16 billion of national funding in the bill dedicated for major projects that will deliver substantial economic benefits to communities.
“We’ll continue to follow that and obviously try and get every penny that we can.” – New Mexico Transportation Secretary Michael Sandoval
 
ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING NETWORK
New Mexico expects to receive: 
  • $38 million over five years to build a network of Electric Vehicle (EV) chargers to facilitate long-distance travel and provide convenient charging options. 
Background: The U.S. market share of plug-in EV sales is only one-third the size of the Chinese EV market … a critical element to accelerate the adoption of EVs to address the climate crisis and support domestic manufacturing jobs. 
But that’s not all! New Mexico will also have the opportunity to apply for the $2.5 billion in grant funding dedicated to EV charging in the bill.
 
BROADBAND COVERAGE
$100 million to increase broadband coverage including providing access to the at least 223,941 New Mexicans who currently lack it. 
With coverage comes affordability: 785,000 or 38.1% of people in New Mexico will be eligible for the Affordability Connectivity Benefit, which will help low-income families afford internet access.

Background: 10.7% of New Mexicans live in areas where, under the FCC’s benchmark, there is no broadband infrastructure. Even where infrastructure is available, broadband may be too expensive to be within reach. 21% of New Mexico households do not have an internet subscription. 
 
WILDFIRE MITIGATION
 $38 million for wildfire mitigation. 
Background: From 2010 to 2020, New Mexico has experienced 14 extreme weather events, costing the state up to $5 billion in damages. 
But that’s not all! New Mexicans will also benefit from the bill’s historic $3.5 billion national investment in weatherization which will reduce energy costs for families.

PROTECTION AGAINST CYBERATTACKS
 $13 million to protect against cyberattacks. 
 Background: Ransomware attacks can hijack entire computer networks and paralyze them before demanding a ransom. 
 In 2019 hackers targeted Las Cruces Public Schools — crippling the district's network. In March 2021, a hospital in Gallup was hit by a cyberattack which forced hospital staff to operate on pen and paper in the middle of the pandemic. In May 2021, a cybersecurity attack targeted an Albuquerque-based company that consults on federal nuclear weapons projects.  

Elsewhere gas pipelines have been hacked with demands for ransom in the millions of dollars. Some of New Mexicans’ most sensitive personal data sits on state government servers, including data from the MVD to tax and unemployment records.
 
WATER 
 $355 million to improve water infrastructure over 5 years.
 Some of the projects that will be funded:
  • Navajo Gallup Water Supply Project
  • $5 billion for western water programs including fully funding the Eastern New Mexico Rural Water Project (ENMRWA) and 
  • $50 million for Colorado River endangered species recovery programs for the Upper Colorado and San Juan Basin, and 
  • $250 million for trail and stream restoration projects.

CLIMATE CHANGE IN GENERAL
  • legislation to authorize the use of more renewable energy on power grids,
  • $500 million for energy storage research to advance battery storage technology for grids, and 
  • $200 million for the development of clean hydrogen production, also a priority of Governor Lujan Grisham.
  • $3.5 billion for carbon renewal projects.

AIRPORTS
 $90 million to improve infrastructure at the state’s airports.
 
ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR:
  • $ Millions for the REGROW Act for cleaning up orphaned oil & gas wells & put hundreds of skilled energy workers back to work.
  • $ Millions for the RIDE Act to fund new technology to fight DWI and save thousands from drunk driving. ​
​*Information from the Santa Fe New Mexican,  the Albuquerque Journal , the Associated Press, and press releases from Sen. Heinrich and Sen. Luján.

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