Some details on the House Democrats’ proposed stimulus bill

January 16th, 2009 at 04:21pm Thomas V. Bona

Here is a “discussion draft” of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 put out by House Dems. It’s an $825 billion proposal, $550 of which is spending on projects and programs (the rest is tax cuts).

It doesn’t break things down to individual projects or state-by-state funding, but gives general guidelines. More details will surely come, though I don’t know  that Congress will pass something that specifies what communities get what … it might just be formulas that will be worked out afterward. We shall see. The Rockford region’s list of projects for the stimulus plan is here to remind you what we’ve asked for.

I’ll focus just on the transportation-related highlights (this being a transportation blog) of the Dems’ plan. First, the items that could help fund specific local projects:

• Highway Infrastructure Investment ($30 billion): “These funds will be used for ready-to-go, quick spending highway
  projects for which contracts can be awarded quickly. … Funds are distributed by formula, with a portion of the funds within each State being suballocated by population areas.” Surprising how little of the package is proposed on highway projects. This suggests they’ll be very selective in what projects get funded.
• Capital Assistance to States—Intercity Passenger Rail Service ($300 million): “Provides grants on a discretionary basis to states to fund necessary capital improvements to improve intercity passenger rail service. … Grants under this program are awarded to the most
  meritorious projects as measured against statutory criteria.” This could help us get our Amtrak service to Chicago restored.
• Amtrak Capital Grants ($800 million): This appears to be money to improve existing Amtrak-owned infrastructure, particularly in the heavily traveled northeast corridor. Not sure it can help any service in Illinois.
• Transit Capital Assistance ($6 billion): These funds will be used to purchase buses and equipment needed to provide additional public
  transportation service and to make improvements to intermodal and transit facilities. … Funds will be distributed through the existing urban and rural transit formulas.” This could benefit Rockford Mass Transit District.
• Capital Investment Grants ($1 billion): “These funds will be used for light rail lines, rapid rail (heavy rail), commuter rail, automated
  fixed guideway system, or bus-way/high occupancy vehicle (HOV) facilities. … Funds will be distributed on a discretionary basis and will assist the dvancement of full funding grant agreement projects that are already in construction as well as final design projects that are nearly ready to begin construction.” Could help our development of commuter rail to Chicago.
• Grants-In-Aid for Airports (AIP) ($3 billion): Ready-to-go airport infrastructure projects “for all segments of civil aviation”. Chicago Rockford International Airport always has AIP projects it could use funding for - taxiway improvements, cargo apron expansion, etc. Pity the third runway isn’t “ready to go”.

Here are some elements that might not have a local impact, but are still noteworthy:

• Fixed Guideway Infrastructure Investment ($2 billion): Fixed guideway systems includes a range of transit, including commuter rail, light rail, bus rapid transit, ferryboats, trolleybuses and others. Might help existing Metra lines in Chicagoland, though I don’t know what other regional projects would fit. “These funds will be used for capital projects to modernize or improve existing fixed guideway systems, including purchase and rehabilitation of rolling stock, track, line equipment, structures, signals and communications, power equipment and substations, passenger stations and terminals, security equipment and systems, maintenance facilities and equipment, operational support equipment including computer hardware and software, system extensions, and preventive maintenance.”
• Aviation Explosive Detection Systems and Checkpoint Screening Technologies ($500 million): “Would accelerate the deployment of optimal screening solutions, reduce congestion in airport terminals, improve reliability and efficiency of baggage handling, reduce screener turnover and injury rates, and improve security in airport lobbies.” While Chicago Rockford International Airport isn’t big, crowded or delayed enough to probably warrant funding for this just yet , Chicago O’Hare
• Non-Intrusive Inspection Technology (Cargo) ($100 million): Replace some systems that scan cargo containers.
• Modernization of Land Ports of Entry Facilities ($150 million): Upgrades to key ports of entry for improved border security, trade/travel facilitation and reduced wait times.

Finally, there’s a particular push toward renewable energy, including efforts to encourage electric vehicles for governments, nonprofits and private groups. Perhaps Rockford could benefit in some small way:

• Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Research Development, Demonstration and Deployment ($2 billion): While most of this is for biomass and geothermal projects, $800 million would be used for other types of projects, including “research and
  development for advanced batteries necessary for the conversion to electric vehicles and storage of energy to increase the effectiveness of renewable energy projects.”
• Advanced Battery Manufacturing ($1 billion): Grants for facilities to support the building of batteries for vehicles.
• Alternative Fueled Vehicles Pilot Grant Program ($400 million): “These grants may be used for the acquisition of alternative fueled vehicles, fuel cell vehicles or hybrid vehicles, including buses for public transportation and ground support vehicles at public airports.
  The installation or acquisition of infrastructure necessary to directly support an alternative fueled vehicle, fuel cell vehicle, or hybrid vehicle project funded by the grant is also eligible.”
• Transportation Electrification ($200 million): “Federal funding is provided to implement a grant program to states, local
  governments, and metropolitan transportation authorities for qualified electric transportation projects that reduce emissions, including shipside electrification of vehicles, truck stop electrification, airport ground support equipment and cargo handling equipment.”
• Energy Efficient Federal Vehicles ($600 million): Replace some federal agency vehicles with plug-in and other alternative fuel vehicles.

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