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Thursday, Mar 28th

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Bridging the gaps

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Money for infrastructure: Transforming our framework

Calling the investment “transformational,” N.M. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act would deliver once-in-a-lifetime funding for broadband, roads, water, climate resilience, and create a generation of good-paying union jobs and economic growth.

“The investments in this bill will go far to further the work my administration has done, and continues to do, to build better lives for New Mexico families,” she said. “I’m proud to have been directly involved in advocating for this legislation, and I applaud President Biden for his leadership and dedication to making these historic investments a reality.”

According to the White House, funding for New Mexico in the bill includes:

$2.5 billion over five years for federal-aid highway apportioned programs

$225 million over five years for bridge replacement and repairs

At least $366 million over five years to improve public transportation options across the state

At least $100 million to help provide broadband coverage across the state

785,000 New Mexicans (~38 percent of the state) will be eligible for the Affordability Connectivity Benefit, which will help low-income families afford internet access

$355 million over five years to improve water infrastructure across the state

$38 million over five years to protect against wildfires

$13 million to protect against cyber attacks

$38 million over five years to support the expansion of an electric vehicle charging network in the state

Approximately $90 million over five years for infrastructure development for airports.

The bill also includes $8 billion for clean hydrogen hubs around the country. New Mexico is seeking to jump-start a clean hydrogen economy through the New Mexico Hydrogen Hub Act, which will provide tax incentives to attract capital investment in clean hydrogen infrastructure across multiple sectors of the economy, aggressively reduce carbon emissions in less than a decade while protecting natural resources, and creating a safe, thriving, and equitable clean hydrogen workforce.

Staff Reports