Enhancing our electric power transmission system and expanding high-speed information technologies have the potential to revolutionize energy management, communications and economic development in the United States. Meanwhile, our nation’s economic competitiveness and the health of future generations depend on a clean, safe, ample water supply.

Rebuilding our nation’s energy, communications and water infrastructure is a key component to building a stronger, more competitive and more efficient American economy. Not only will these improvements create good jobs throughout the country, making them will improve energy transmission and use, will expand high-speed Internet to every part of the country, and ensure an abundant water supply for generations to come.

Energy Transmission and Smart Grid

In order to effectively compete in the 21st century, the United States must build out the transmission capabilities necessary to bring advanced, clean energy to markets, while also developing technologies that will help to distribute that energy in a more efficient manner, reducing energy use in homes and offices.

Such an expansion will create jobs and build a more efficient and competitive American economy. In fact, build out of a modern power grid and the development of “smart grid” technologies — which give consumers more power over how much energy they use — will create 239,000 jobs with every $10 billion investment.

The BlueGreen Alliance and its labor and environmental partners — the members of which work in utilities — support of upgrading our electrical grid to incorporate these efficiency capabilities and works actively to advocate for tax incentives and policies that promote energy efficiency. For more on Transmission and Smart Grid, read the Jobs21! Blueprint to Solve the Jobs Crisis.

Water Infrastructure

Water is essential to life and critical for a healthy community, prosperous economy and a clean environment. Water infrastructure and regulatory framework to protect our waterways and water sources are vital to treat, deliver, and protect clean water. 

Our nation’s economic competitiveness and future generations depend on a clean, safe, ample water supply. Investments in protecting and supplying water can create numerous jobs in many economic sectors including construction, manufacturing, transport, and tourism. For every $1 billion invested in water infrastructure is estimated to create more than 20,000 new jobs. Read more.

Broadband

An additional key component to ensuring America has the infrastructure compete in a 21st century economy is ensuring all Americans have access to affordable, high-speed broadband service. Learn more on our work here.