Repairing America's infrastructure is a significant opportunity to create quality jobs. But it's also an opportunity to rebuild these systems to protect the health of workers and communities, to reduce carbon and methane emissions, and to build a stronger, more resilient system for the future.
Buy Clean policies promote spending taxpayer dollars on infrastructure supplies for materials that are manufactured in a cleaner, more efficient, climate friendly manner—helping to close the carbon loophole and rewarding companies that are doing things the right way.
Accelerating the repair of approximately 100,000 miles of leak-prone distribution pipeline to 10 years could create more than 300,000 good, family-supporting jobs across the economy, save consumers $1.5 billion in charges for lost gas, and prevent methane emissions.
Rebuilding America’s transportation infrastructure can mean huge gains for the environment, economy and daily life. With sufficient investment; forward-looking planning; leadership in manufacturing and using clean and efficient technology; and high standards for materials, projects, and operations, rebuilding these systems can be powerful driver of economic recovery and job growth.
Significant investments and upgrades in appropriate water infrastructure will be necessary for communities to adapt to the effects of climate change, maintain access to safe drinking water, and adequately treat storm and wastewater. And doing so will also present a significant opportunity to create quality jobs.
Methane—the primary component of natural gas—is a greenhouse gas that is many times more potent than carbon dioxide and the second largest contributor to climate change. Reducing methane emissions can reap economic benefits for workers and communities across the country.
