In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, two large infrastructure-related bills have been enacted. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), signed into law in November 2021, provides funding for a wide range of activities including roads, rail, transit, broadband, water and electrical infrastructure. The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 also included funding for energy infrastructure. Now is the time to maintain focus on how these new investments can increase wealth in communities with the greatest needs. Sustainable development will require attentiveness to who builds what, where. The placement, design, construction and operation of infrastructure should not impair social, ecological and economic progress for some communities while benefiting others. The coming weeks and months will provide additional opportunities for influence and impact. This document offers a set of principles that can inform how elected officials evaluate domestic investments of all kinds.
