GUEST COLUMN:

Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is a huge win for Nevada

Wed, Nov 17, 2021 (2 a.m.)

This month, I helped President Joe Biden and House Democrats negotiate a historic deal to pass the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. For Nevada, this law means major federal investments to create good-paying union jobs and improve the lives of families across our state.

The big winners in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act are Nevada workers. For years, the state’s clean energy sector has boomed, thanks to our abundant sunlight and open space. Before the pandemic, employment in clean energy was growing nearly twice as fast as overall state job growth.

Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Nevada’s economy will benefit from billions of dollars in clean energy incentives. Clean energy needs skilled workers, and Nevada’s workforce development programs are ready to meet the challenge. According to researchers at Yale University, solar and wind jobs are among the highest-paying in the energy sector. With more clean energy production, we can diversify our state’s economy with good jobs that lift families into the middle class.

As our world becomes increasingly digital, we need major broadband investments to make sure no family is left behind. Today, 14% of Nevada households — especially in the rural areas I represent — do not have an internet subscription. Without the internet, families miss out on opportunities to earn, learn and grow.

With the passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, we can finally close the digital divide. The law makes a $100 million investment in broadband, giving more than 120,000 Nevadans access to high-speed internet. Across our state, 26% of Nevadans will see lower internet bills from a program designed to help low-income families.

Last year — despite the pandemic — Las Vegas was one of the fastest-growing cities in the country. As our population swells, lack of public transportation is contributing to congestion, smog and longer commutes. Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Nevada will receive $459 million to improve public transit, in addition to nearly $3 billion for road and bridge repair. The law also invests in electric vehicle charging networks to make electric vehicles more reliable and reduce pollution.

Finally, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act takes common-sense steps to improve public health and safety. Over the past decade, Nevada has suffered from 10 catastrophic weather events, costing taxpayers up to $1 billion in damages. Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Nevada will benefit from a national $3.5 billion investment in weatherization, along with $8.6 million in direct funding to fight wildfires. With additional funding in the law, Nevada will be able to protect our water supply, remove lead pipes, and make sure every family has clean drinking water. These investments in water conservation are especially critical as we confront the water shortage at Lake Mead, which supplies about 90% of Las Vegas’ water.

I know the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act won’t solve every challenge Nevada faces. In the weeks ahead, I’ll be working with Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen, and Reps. Susie Lee and Dina Titus, to pass the Build Back Better Act, a much-needed bill to extend middle-class tax breaks, improve education and affordable housing, and reduce costs on everything from child care to prescription drugs.

Together, the Build Back Better Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will make long-overdue investments to strengthen our nation and protect Nevada’s continued growth. With good-paying jobs and a strong economy, Nevada’s future will be bright.

Rep. Steven Horsford, D-Nev., serves the state’s 4th Congressional District seat, which covers portions of northern Clark County as well as several rural counties in southern and central Nevada.

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