BlueGreen Alliance | Summary of Key Policy Provisions

The BIL includes many new and expanded programs across a number of sectors. A manual like this one exploring all of the provisions included in the bill would span volumes. Instead, we have selected provisions in eight broad categories that all touch on the intersections between good jobs, a clean environment, and a fair and just economy. 

Transportation

Transportation systems undergird our country and our economy. Workers and families rely on our transportation infrastructure to access jobs, visit family and loved ones, and utilize retail and recreation. Our nation’s transportation infrastructure has been in a state of disrepair for decades and we need to rebuild, modernize, and expand these systems in ways that will create good-paying jobs in construction, manufacturing, operations, and other services—sectors that will be at the heart of our economic recovery.

Updating our transportation networks is also key to our fight against climate change. As of 2019, transportation in the United States accounts for more emissions than any other economic sector. Reducing emissions from this sector on a timeline consistent with our ambitious climate goals means taking a two-pronged approach that 1) urgently spurs the adoption of cleaner vehicles, and 2) reduces individual driving through smart investment in clean public transit networks, non-motorized transportation infrastructure, and transit-oriented development.

The BIL makes critical investments in the transition to cleaner vehicles by allocating at least $5 billion, and up to $7.5 billion, toward the construction of a robust, nationwide, and public EV charging network, up to $5 billion to transition the nation’s school bus fleet to zero-emission school buses, and approximately $5.6 billion for public transit bus electrification. These investments provide a significant demand push in the market for EVs—and particularly heavy-duty EVs such as school and transit buses—which will serve to reduce the cost of production. Additionally, these investments place EVs in communities across the country, establishing visibility and trust in the technology; alongside other complementary policies and incentives, this public education will play a key role in the effort to transition all vehicles—including privately owned ones—to cleaner alternatives like EVs.

Public transit received a significant investment of $39 billion in the BIL, which will serve to restore transit service curtailed during the COVID-19 pandemic, and expand and modernize it to meet communities’ needs. Additionally, innovative programs such as grants to reconnect communities—like a DOT pilot program authorized and funded by the BIL—will provide support to remove highways and redesign road and transit networks in neighborhoods previously divided and destroyed by the placement of highway, rail, and port infrastructure. 

These transit investments aren’t just essential for improving  mobility and for achieving climate goals; research demonstrates that public transit investment creates jobs and supports regional economic growth. For example, recent analysis from the BlueGreen Alliance found that the $39 billion in the BIL would result in the creation of 204,750 direct, 131,820 indirect, and 185,250 induced jobs, a total of 521,820 jobs over 10 years.

Category Program Name and Description Funding Level Administering Agency or Office Funding mechanism Timeline Standards Eligible Entities
Transit Surface Transportation Reauthorization for Transit Funding – Comprehensive reauthorization of transit programs for next five-year window. Increased investment for transit (both operating/capital costs). $39 Billion DOT – Federal Transit Administration Existing, reauthorized programs: Formula and Block Grant Programs; Additional Formula and Discretionary Grants; Discretionary Grants. FY22-FY26 Davis Bacon, Buy America State DOTs, Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), et al.
Rail Funding – Funding for new and upgraded rail service, including for Amtrak and other funding for safety and freight upgrades. Some funding can potentially be used in coordination with regional rail. $66 Billion DOT – Federal Railroad Administration Existing and New Programs; Grants FY22-FY26 Davis Bacon, Buy America Amtrak, state agencies, MPOs, et al.
Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program – Establishes two grant programs dedicated to developing and implementing plans to reconnect communities through the removal, replacement, or relocation of transportation infrastructure such as highways and railroads. $1 Billion DOT – Federal Highway Administration New Program: Grants FY22-FY26 Davis Bacon, Buy America State DOTs, MPOs, et al.
EV Charging Infrastructure National EV Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program – Designates Alternative Fuel Corridors along the Interstate Highway System and funds the installation of public EV charging infrastructure to facilitate travel and commerce. $5 Billion DOE and DOT – Joint Office of Energy and Transportation New Program: Formula Grant FY22-FY26 Davis Bacon, Buy America State DOTs, MPOs, et al.
Corridor and Community Charging Grant Programs – Fund the installation of public EV charging infrastructure along the Interstate Highway System and within communities to facilitate travel and commerce. $2.5 Billion DOE and DOT – Joint Office of Energy and Transportation New Program: Competitive Grants FY22-FY26 Davis Bacon, Buy America State DOTs, MPOs, et al.
Electric Transit and School Buses Low or No Emission Bus Grant Program – Part of BIL Surface Transportation Reauthorization; Funds state and local government authorities to purchase or lease low or no emission buses and infrastructure; Part of BIL reauthorization for bus funding; Raises minimum eligibility for zero emissions buses and bus facilities to 25% threshold. $5.6 Billion DOT – Federal Transit Administration Existing Program: Competitive Grants FY22-FY26 Davis Bacon, Buy America, Incumbent Workforce Development Training State DOTs, MPOs, et al.
Clean School Bus Program – To support the deployment of electric and alternative fuel powered school buses; Also see Table 6. Up to $5 Billion EPA – State and Tribal Assistance Grants New Program: Competitive Grants FY22-FY26 Davis Bacon, Priority for high-need school districts and rural and low income areas. School districts, non-profit transportation associations, tribes, contractors