A requirement of Executive Order 14008, Justice 40 is an effort to ensure that at least 40 percent of the benefits of certain Federal funds are realized in communities that have faced historic underinvestment. These communities typically have felt a disproportionate share of environmental burdens.
As part of the IIJA, Made in America laws were strengthened to support the country’s industrial base, protect national security, and support family sustaining jobs. It requires that “none of the funds made available for a Federal financial assistance program for infrastructure, including each deficient program, may be obligated for a project unless all of the iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials used in the project are produced in the United States.”
The Davis Bacon Act requires that all contractors and subcontractors performing construction, alteration and repair (including painting and decorating) work under federally funded or assisted contracts in excess of $2,000, pay their laborers and mechanics not less than the prevailing wage and fringe benefits for the geographic location.
IIJA provides a historic amount of funding to clean up and restore the abandoned coal mine sites across Pennsylvania. Approximately $244.9 million per year for 15 years will be provided to Pennsylvania for Abandoned Mine Reclamation. For more information: Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation
It is estimated there could be 300,000 abandoned wells in Pennsylvania dating back to the late 1800s and early 1900s. IIJA could provide up to $400 million to Pennsylvania for abandoned well plugging. For more information: Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)
The Energy Programs Office (EPO), Pennsylvania’s State Energy Office, expects to receive approximately $67 million in IIJA formula funds from the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE). For more information: Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)
Over the next 5 years, more than $1.3 billion will be provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to the State Revolving Loan Fund for drinking water and wastewater projects. These funds will be administered by the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority, PENNVEST. For more information: Infrastructure Finance
The IIJA provides additional funding to Pennsylvania for Chesapeake Bay programmatic activities. DEP expects to receive approximately $5.6 million over the next several years. For more information: Pennsylvania’s Chesapeake Bay Program Office