Deb Haaland U.S. Secretary of the Interior | Official Website
The Department of the Interior has released an analysis estimating that investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law supported over 28,000 jobs and contributed more than $3.3 billion to the economy in fiscal year 2024. This announcement comes as the third anniversary of President Biden signing the law approaches.
Secretary Deb Haaland stated, “Today’s report further demonstrates how President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is delivering critical investments into the hands of American communities to create jobs and revitalize economies.” She emphasized that the law aims to ensure future generations have access to clean air, drinkable water, fertile soil, and an improved quality of life amidst climate challenges.
Infrastructure Coordinator Winnie Stachelberg added, “At the Interior Department, we know that success in implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law means creating good-paying jobs and improving the health, safety and quality of life of Americans.”
The Department also published a three-year anniversary report highlighting key successes and personal impact stories resulting from the law. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allocates $28.1 billion over 15 years for various initiatives including pollution combatting, habitat restoration, drought crisis management, wildland fire management assistance, and preparation for extreme weather events. Many programs funded by this law support President Biden's Justice40 Initiative aimed at benefiting disadvantaged communities.
Since its enactment in November 2021, notable milestones include allocating over $12 billion for more than 2,200 projects nationwide; plugging over 9,000 orphaned oil and gas wells; reclaiming over 811 acres of polluted lands; supporting water infrastructure projects across western states; launching a Community Driven Relocation program; advancing efforts to save Hawaiian Forest Birds from extinction; increasing wildfire risk reduction efforts on over 2.2 million acres; and starting construction on a new research facility at Colorado Schools of Mines.
Economic estimates for fiscal year 2024 show significant contributions from various programs: water infrastructure ($1.4467 billion), orphaned well operations ($841.2 million), abandoned mine land remediation ($700.9 million), and ecosystem restoration ($339.5 million). These activities collectively supported nearly 29,000 jobs.
