A few weeks ago, a group of U.S. Senate Democrats, four of whom are up for reelection, proposed a federal gas tax holiday through the end of 2022. One of the bill’s authors said it will help people “struggling with high costs for everything from gas to groceries.”

“The best way to save the American people money is to make new infrastructure improvements that will reduce the lost time and wasted fuel that comes from being stuck in traffic, and improve road conditions to prevent the next pothole-induced flat tire,” Bauer shared in an editorial for The Hill.

The proposed federal gas tax holiday has run into skepticism from Senate Republicans and some Senate Democrats, as it should. The idea of a gas tax holiday has been trotted out in the past. Once again, we need to tell Congress it is a bad idea.

Congress passed a three-week stopgap continuing resolution (CR) to avert a shutdown of the federal government. The CR funds existing programs — at prorated fiscal 2021 enacted rates — through March 11. The federal fiscal year ends on Sept. 30.

What is billed as the “first edition" of a guidebook developed to help state, local, tribal, and territorial governments “unlock the benefits” from the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), also called the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL),

The administration also issued a fact sheet that outlines the steps cities, towns, and municipalities can take to access competitive grant funds within the BIL. Future phases of the guidebook are planned and will update key timelines for program implementation, showcase best practices, and include examples of successful grant applications.

The U.S. Departments of Transportation and Energy released initial guidance and rules for the Infrastructure Investment and Job Act’s (IIJA) $5 billion ($4.2 billion after pre-apportionment set-asides) in formula funding to be distributed to states for construction of electric vehicle (EV) charging networks.

The IIJA took $300 million off the top of the program’s first-year appropriation to establish a Joint Office of DOT & Energy. The Joint Office is “tasked with helping to formulate National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program guidance, best practices, and to provide vision, technical, and other assistance to states and localities in the planning and implementation of a national EV charging network, while also supporting additional transportation electrification efforts in the Federal government.” The new Joint Office’s website is now available at driveelectric.gov.

Wisconsin will receive $11.6 million in NEVI Formula Program funds in FY 2022.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently issued guidance for the new Airport Terminal Program (ATP). ATP is a $5 billion discretionary grant program — $1 billion per year for five years — created by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).

ATP grants will “improve airfield safety through terminal relocation, replace aging facilities, increase capacity, encourage competition, improve energy efficiency (including LEED accreditation standards) and increase or improve access to passengers with disabilities and historically disadvantaged populations.”

Large hub airports will receive up to 55 percent of the total funding, medium hub airports up to 15 percent, and small hub airports up to 20 percent. A minimum of 10 percent will go to non-hub and non-primary airports.

Applications must be submitted by March 28, with selected projects announced in July.

In addition, FAA published a new FAQs document. These frequently asked questions (FAQS) pertain to the roughly $20 billion for airport infrastructure improvements administered by the FAA's Office of Airports, including the $5 billion for ATP.

A new report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) recommends that the Federal Highway Administration develop scalability criteria for state pilot programs of user-based funding alternatives to the fuel tax. Without such measures, FHWA "will not be able to assess the potential of mileage fee systems beyond the pilot states."

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KL Engineering is pleased to announce that Ryan Schanhofer, PE (pictured) has been promoted to president and will lead firm development moving forward. As CEO, Kim Lobdell will continue responsibility for firm management, leadership initiatives, and strategic development. Scott Cramer will continue as COO, leading alongside Ryan.