Congresswoman Stansbury Votes to Deliver Billions in Broadband, Water Infrastructure, Roads Funding for New Mexico

WASHINGTON– As the United States is working to rebuild our economy and support our communities with the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Representative Melanie Stansbury (N.M.-01) voted today to deliver billions in infrastructure funding for New Mexico by passing the $1.2 trillion bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

The bill is expected to invest more than $3.7 billion in New Mexico’s broadband, water, roads, bridges, public transportation, electric vehicle, airport and other infrastructure, with the opportunity to apply for further funding. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will modernize America’s crumbling infrastructure for the 21st century and create good-paying union jobs while supporting small businesses and resources for working families and rebuilding for a more climate resilient future. 

“I’m proud that today, we delivered for families in New Mexico by investing in good-paying jobs and the infrastructure of the future,” said Rep. Stansbury. “New Mexicans are resilient—but we need investments in broadband, clean drinking water, and our roads so that everyone can thrive. Together with the Build Back Better Act, the bipartisan infrastructure deal will bring lasting change for our communities right here at home.”

A factsheet of investments in New Mexico from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act is here. A section-by-section summary of the bill is here. The full text of the bill is available here.

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will transform New Mexico’s economy by:

Investing $2.5 billion in New Mexico’s highways and $225 million in bridge replacement and repairs torepair and rebuild our roads and bridges with a focus on climate change resilience and equity. In New Mexico there are over 3,822 miles of highway and 207 bridges in poor condition. Since 2011, commute times have increased by 7.7% in New Mexico, and on average, each driver pays over $750 per year in costs due to driving on roads in need of repair. New Mexico will also have the opportunity to apply for funds under the nearly $16 billion in national funding dedicated for major projects that to deliver substantial economic benefits to our communities.

Connecting New Mexicans to reliable high-speed internet. Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, New Mexico is expected to receive a minimum of $100 million to help provide broadband coverage across the state, including providing access for the at least 220,000 New Mexicans who lack internet connectivity. Currently, 10.7% of New Mexicans live in areas where, under the FCC’s benchmark, there is no broadband infrastructure. Even where infrastructure is available, broadband may be too expensive to be within reach. The bill also expands resources for low-income families, which would help an estimated 38% of New Mexicans afford internet access under the Affordable Connectivity Benefit.

Improving our nation’s airports. Airports in New Mexico are expected to receive approximately $90 million for infrastructure development for airports over five years.

Delivering clean drinking water for New Mexico and eliminating the nation’s lead service lines and pipes. The bill is expected to invest $355 million over five years in New Mexico to improve water infrastructure across the state. This funding is critical for communities in New Mexico, especially rural and Tribal communities, that lack access to clean drinking water due to decades of underinvestment.

Improving public transportation options for New Mexicans. New Mexicans who take public transportation spend an extra 94.3% of their time commuting. One-fifth, or 20%, of transit vehicles in the state are past useful life. Based on formula funding alone, New Mexico is expected to receive $366 million over five years under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to improve public transportation options across the state.

Improving power and water systems.The bill invests $65 billion nationwide to rebuild the electric grid and pave the way for a clean energy transition, including by building thousands of miles of new power lines and expanding renewable energy like wind and solar. This is crucial to modernizing New Mexico’s grid and tackling the climate crisis. After passing a state grid modernization act last year introduced by Rep. Stansbury as a state lawmaker, New Mexico’s infrastructure is poised to implement these funds.

Investing in environmental remediation. The bill would provide $21 billion to clean up Superfund and brownfield sites, reclaim abandoned mines, and cap orphaned natural oil and gas wells that dot the landscape and contribute to climate change.

Building a network of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations to facilitate long-distance travel and provide convenient charging options. The bill invests $7.5 billion to build out the first-ever national network of EV chargers in the United States to address the climate crisis and support domestic manufacturing jobs. Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, New Mexico is expected to receive $38 million over five years to support the expansion of an EV charging network. New Mexico will also have the opportunity to apply for the $2.5 billion in grant funding dedicated to EV charging in the bill. This funding is critical to achieve net-zero and low carbon emissions in our transportation sector, and especially important in New Mexico where communities are spread out and families must drive long distances.

Preparing our infrastructure for the impacts of climate change, cyber attacks, and extreme weather events. New Mexico has experienced at least 14 extreme weather events in the past decade, costing the state up to $5 billion in damages. New Mexico is expected to receive $38 million over five years to protect against wildfires and $13 million to protect against cyberattacks. New Mexicans will also benefit from the bill’s historic $3.5 billion in national investment in weatherization which will reduce energy costs for families.