U.S. Senate Passes $1T Infrastructure Bill

The legislation helps create a competitive market for electric vehicle charging infrastructure

THE U.S. SENATE APPROVED the $1.2-trillion bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) on Aug. 10. The legislation allocates nearly $550 billion in new spending above what Congress was already planning to allocate for infrastructure over the next eight years.

Lawmakers set aside the largest share of the money, $110 billion, for roads and bridges. The bill also includes an alternative fuels corridor grant program, along with language and programs to facilitate better coordination with key stakeholders and the states.

NACS, NATSO and SIGMA — which represent a nationwide network of 150,000 refueling locations and whose members sell 90 percent of the motor fuels sold at retail — worked with lawmakers to ensure that convenience and fuel retailers would be part of the coordination effort and be eligible for the grant program.

“The Senate’s bipartisan bill begins the process of creating a competitive market for electric vehicle charging infrastructure that will benefit convenience retailers and consumers for years to come,” said NACS President and CEO Henry Armour. “We have been pleased to work with senators from both parties to make progress on alternative energy and look forward to continuing those partnerships as these discussions continue.”

The associations also worked with federal legislators to make sure the program encourages private sector investment and a competitive market for electric vehicle (EV) charging. Additionally, they worked with negotiators to not lift the ban on rest area commercialization or provide an exception for EV chargers at rest areas.

“The policies established by the IIJA, while not perfect, will ensure that our industry can compete on a level playing field and encourage private sector investments in alternative transportation energy,” stated NATSO President and CEO Lisa Mullings.

With the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate both passing infrastructure bills, the next step will be to iron out the differences.