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The Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (CISA) of 2015, which passed the Senate this afternoon with strong bipartisan support (74-21), included an important amendment authored by U.S. Senator Susan Collins

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced nearly $2.3 billion in loans to build and improve rural electric infrastructure in 31 states. USDA is awarding loans to 77 utilities and cooperatives in 31 states. The funding includes more than $108 million for smart grid technology

Montgomery County was one of six recipients of the new national municipal stormwater and green infrastructure awards at the 88th Annual Water Environment Federation (WEF) Technical Exhibition and Conference held September 28 in Chicago. Montgomery County received a gold certificate in the Phase I program management category for its multifaceted and effective Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) program and was recognized as a national leader in stormwater management.

Congressman John K. Delaney (MD-6) wrote to House Transportation & Infrastructure Chairman Bill Shuster Thursday, urging him to increase baseline funding levels in the next highway bill. The Transportation & Infrastructure Committee is expected to markup a new highway bill next week. In his letter, Delaney wrote, “Instead of continuing our glide path to a third-world infrastructure, our next highway bill should reverse course and start our infrastructure comeback. A meaningful increase in our infrastructure investment will create millions of jobs and help our businesses stay competitive in the global economy.”

HUD Partnership to Transform City’s Public Housing for 8,000 Low-Income San Franciscans & Provide National Model to Preserve & Rebuild Public Housing in U.S. Cities & Protect Nation’s Most Vulnerable. Mayor Edwin M. Lee joined by U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Julián Castro, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and Board of Supervisors President London Breed

Although some infrastructure projects may appear to have a high initial price tag, evaluating the long-term maintenance costs can provide safeguards to future federal budgets.

As different areas of the country become drier and hotter, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Pueblo of Cochiti, New Mexico, are developing green infrastructure projects that address water needs. The EPA initiative focuses resources from multiple federal agencies to help meet economic, environmental and community needs identified by tribal leaders. EPA is also providing assistance with drinking water sources and brownfields evaluation

Friday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata, announced the release of more than $7 million in grant funding to American Samoa through the Office of Insular Affairs’ (OIA) Capital Improvement Project (CIP) Program. The funds will be used to support priorities and much needed improvements to critical infrastructure in the territory

The Bipartisan Policy Center applauds legislative and executive branch efforts to improve the permitting process for infrastructure projects. “For years, this conversation has been stuck in polarized gridlock. Our nation is in desperate need of increased infrastructure investments. It is encouraging to see an array of efforts to move beyond political posturing and address this complex challenge,” BPC President Jason Grumet said

Under a settlement with the Department of Justice and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA) has agreed to make major upgrades, improve inspections and cleaning of existing facilities within the Puerto Nuevo system and continue improvements to its systems island-wide.

In recent years, a number of disasters around the world have caused damage to critical functions in affected communities. Hurricanes Sandy and Katrina; tornadoes in Joplin, Missouri and Moore, Oklahoma; and earthquakes in Christchurch (New Zealand), Bío-Bío (Chile) and Nepal all resulted in severe damage to local hospitals, putting great strain on the healthcare systems of the impacted regions

USDA Rural Development Under Secretary Lisa Mensah today joined U.S. Senator John Hoeven to announce that Central Power Electric Cooperative will receive a $46 million loan from USDA to make critical infrastructure improvements.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a poster contest to highlight green infrastructure and low-impact development projects in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Texas. Did your business build a parking garage with a green roof? Do your city government buildings harvest rainwater? EPA wants to hear about projects like these in preparation for the EPA Region 6 Stormwater Conference.

Affordable, quality healthcare is essential to sustaining a vibrant society. Yet, the American healthcare industry is facing overwhelming uncertainty in almost every segment. In 2015, the National Institute of Building Sciences Academy for Healthcare Infrastructure (AHI) began working on five critical issues currently facing the healthcare facilities industry and established a Collaborative Research Team to focus on each issue.

Excavators prevail as one of the major segments of the construction equipment industry. The excavation activities like drilling, shafts, foundation digging and grading for real estate, irrigation and road projects are driving the demand for excavators. The ongoing infrastructure development across the country during the last few years has led the excavator market to grow at a very remarkable rate.

House Republicans forced adjournment a day early last week in flight from a Senate Republican transportation bill. To find the source of the stand-off, look no further than the Republican budget. The surface transportation bill was a “two-for” – a readymade basic need during construction season – and a must-pass bill that must be authorized this year. Yet, the Republican budget, for the first time in our history, cut almost all new highway and transit funding.

The Urban Land Institute, a global research and education institute dedicated to leadership in land use, is launching a new initiative to help four U.S. cities – Charlotte, N.C.; Detroit, Philadelphia and San Jose, Calif. – better understand what people value in their communities in order to build more livable, successful cities. The initiative will connect the national results of Urban Land Institute’s biannual survey of consumers regarding housing, transportation and communities to local data and regional trends for each of the cities to help them plan for the future. It is funded by $75,000 from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation

AGC will be hosting its first ever Utility Infrastructure Conference (link is external), Sept. 29–Oct. 1 in Louisville, Kentucky. Join other contractors, owners and key industry constituents involved in every aspect of utility infrastructure construction for high-quality education sessions, the premier utility construction equipment expo, and networking opportunities

U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, advanced bipartisan energy legislation along with Chairman Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) in an 18-4 vote in committee.

U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, gave the following statement during a business meeting to debate and vote on bipartisan energy legislation