Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funding Continues to Support Wyoming Projects

In November 2021, President Biden signed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, authorizing $1.2 trillion to be spent on traditional and human infrastructure. While approximately $650 billion was for baseline spending already accounted for, $550 billion was earmarked for new investments and programs. Not quite two years later, Wyoming has received a significant portion of its allocated funding in numerous segments.

The key traditional and human infrastructure points of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law include:

• The single largest dedicated bridge investment since the construction of the interstate highway system.
• The largest investment in public transit in U.S. history.
• Electrical power infrastructure upgrades and a historic investment in clean energy technologies like advanced nuclear, hydrogen, carbon capture, and batteries.
• Provide affordable, high-speed internet to every American. 
• The largest investment in clean drinking water in American history, including the first-ever dedicated federal funding to replace lead service lines and address dangerous PFAS chemicals. 
• Modernize airport infrastructure.
• Bolster the country’s resiliency against challenges like climate change, extreme weather events, and other hazards like cyberattacks.

Wyoming has been targeted for more than $2.5 billion via the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, with the Biden administration stating Wyoming infrastructure has suffered from a systemic lack of investment for decades. To date, $2.3 billion has been announced for Wyoming, covering 76 specific projects. The original Wyoming fact sheet details the original funding designated to be paid out over five years, much of which is funneled through exciting federal departments like the U.S. Department of Transportation and the RAISE Grant Program. Specific actual funding is included here, with highlights listed below. 

Highways

The Law apportions $1.8 billion for federal-aid highway programs and $225 million for bridge replacement and repairs. There have been 218 bridges and over 380 miles of highway identified in Wyoming in poor condition. To date, $685.6 million in highway formula funding and $90 million in dedicated formula funding for bridges in 2022 and 2023. The RAISE Program has allocated $13 million for the interchange reconstructions of I-80/I-25 and I-25/US-30 in Cheyenne. Other specific projects with approximate amounts include:

National Highway Performance Program - $191 million
Surface Transportation Block Grant - $93 million
Bridge Formula Program - $45 million
Highway Safety Improvement Program - $20 million
Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program - $11 million

Broadband Accessibility

Federal research indicates nearly 22% of Wyoming residents do not have an internet subscription. To combat this, the Law apportions $100 million to help provide broadband coverage across the state. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development awarded $9.59 million for high-speed internet access for rural residents and businesses through the ReConnect Program.

Wyoming has received $5.4 million in Internet for All grants. Of that, $4.9 million is to provide access to high-speed internet across the state through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program (BEAD) program. An additional $530,000 will help Wyoming residents have the skills, technology and capacity to reap the full benefits of the digital economy through the Digital Equity Act program.

Clean Water

The Law apportions $335 million to improve water infrastructure to ensure the availability of clean, safe drinking water in communities throughout Wyoming. To date, a total of $65 million has been announced to Wyoming, including $28.4 million for lead pipe and service line replacement and $18 million for investments to support lead infrastructure replacement. The Department of Interior awarded $2 million to the Owl Creek Irrigation District to improve drought resilience and efficient water use and delivery through WaterSMART and Energy Efficiency Grants.

Public Transit

The Law apportions approximately $93 million to improve public transit across Wyoming, where 34% of transit vehicles in the state are currently past useful life. To date, Wyoming has been allocated $18 million to improve and expand healthy, sustainable public transportation options across the state in fiscal years 2022 and 2023.

Airports

The Law apportions $72 million for infrastructure development for airports. To date, Wyoming has received approximately $23.1 million in 2022 and 2023. The Jackson Hole Airport received an $8 million grant from the Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration for several projects. The terminal building will be improved with two new gates to meet the growing demand, increase accessibility and provide new geothermal heating to increase energy efficiency.

Electric Vehicle (EV) Expansion

The Law apportions $27 million to support the expansion of an EV charging network in Wyoming. Approximately $9.7 million has been allocated in 2022 and 2023 to build a network of EV chargers across the state.

Other Projects

Wyoming has also received:

Approximately $45.2 million for capping orphaned oil and gas wells and reclaiming abandoned mine lands, while $2.5 million is set for cleaning Superfund and brownfield sites.
Approximately $31.9 million for infrastructure resilience in 2022 and 2023, including $4.9 million through the Army Corps of Engineers for flood mitigation.
$14 million to protect against wildfires
$11 million to protect against cyberattacks
$7.7 million for weatherization
$2.8 million to collect geophysical data on securing a reliable and sustainable supply of critical minerals essential to clean energy technologies, household appliances and communication technologies.

Wyoming Progress

Not quite two years into the five-year spending plan of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Wyoming has seen immediate benefits to the infrastructure its residents use daily. More projects are planned, with funding continuing to be supplied through grant opportunities and department issuances. The critical investments are designed to improve the lives of all Wyoming residents and position them for future success.

Powder River Energy Corporation exists for its member communities. Please contact us today with questions about possible funding opportunities through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.