Now almost four months after the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) was signed into law by President Joe Biden (on Nov. 15, 2021), a lot of knowns and unknowns remain. One thing we do know is, at roughly $1.2 trillion ($550 billion of which will be earmarked for infrastructure projects over the next five years), this piece of legislation marks the single largest infrastructure revitalization investment since construction of the interstate highway system in the 1950s. A few things we don’t know are the exact time frame in which “plans” will turn into “actions” or the specifics surrounding how, where, and when individual projects will play out across the country. As of press time in mid March, Congress has yet to approve the full funding. However, once that step occurs, it will be up to the individual agencies (such as the U.S. Departments of Transportation and Energy, the EPA, and FEMA) to start doling out money. Geared toward modernizing almost every type of U.S. infrastructure imaginable, according to the White House, the $550 billion in new spending will target the following areas (plus more):

• $110 billion for roads, bridges, and major projects

• $66 billion for passenger and freight rail

• $11 billion for transportation safety

• $39 billion for public transit

• $17 billion for ports and waterways

• $25 billion for airports

• $7.5 billion for clean school buses and ferries

• $7.5 billion for electric vehicle charging

• $1 billion to reconnect communities, including funds for projects that remove barriers to opportunity caused by legacy infrastructure.

Turn to the cover story for a special report by Freelance Writer Tim Kridel on the significant amount of business the IIJA stands to bring to just about every corner of the electrical industry. Not only does he provide an inside look at what industry experts foresee in terms of type and scope of projects, but he also does a phenomenal job of breaking down a vast topic into easy-to-understand pieces. As can be expected with this type of monumental, multi-year initiative run by the government, progress won’t happen over night. But the good news is, it will eventually happen — and, when it does, the electrical industry will have a front row seat.

“It will take electrical engineers and contractors, as well as their clients, a while to navigate the IIJA’s myriad programs, funding formulas, timelines, and other nuances,” writes Kridel. “That’s not necessarily a bad thing because it’s also going to take a lot of time — probably the better part of this year — to line up everything necessary to start work on IIJA projects.”

As the article points out, there are at least three major hurdles that stand in the way of real momentum. First, President Biden signed a bill, not a check, notes Kridel. So, disbursement of the money could take months (or years, in some cases). Even if all funds were available today, supply chain delays present a formidable obstacle that will inevitably hinder the industry’s ability to keep up with demand. And then there’s always the chronic skilled labor shortage, which isn’t going away any time soon. Despite these challenges, there’s no doubt that resilient electrical professionals will be poised to profit. For more information on how to stay updated on infrastructure revitalization from a state and local government perspective, peruse the White House’s 465-page guidebook for “Building a Better America” at https://bit.ly/3vTynz9.

Diving into one of the specific areas called out by the IIJA as a top priority, EC&M has also dedicated more than 30 pages the March 2022 print issue to a special section on the evolution of electrical vehicle charging infrastructure. Read the following feature articles covering all of the key considerations electrical professionals should keep in mind as the national buildout of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure takes shape.

• “Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Buildout and the NEC” by Corey Hannahs
• “How to Support Safe EV Charging” by Jaska Tarkka and Lawrence Conner
• “Navigating the EV Evolution” by Rue Phillips
• “Is the Rise in EVs Cause for Electrical Safety Concern?” by Tommy Northcott
• “All About EV Charger (EVSE) Rebates” by Randy Young
• “New Semiconductor & EV Plants Expected to Fuel $130-Billion Construction Surge” by Jim Lucy