Ditchmen • NUCA of Florida Ditchmen - November 2020 | Page 25

Impact on utilities , energy & industrial services
revolution ” that could make America a leader in clean and fast rail transport . This plan targets air pollution and climate mitigation , and intends to connect more U . S . cities in a style resembling the European rail system , Baldeira said .
■ Urban transit : Biden aims to improve the quality of public transport for cities of 100,000-plus by 2030 , Baldeira said , which can advance the development of smart cities . This would likely be done through “ flexible federal investments ” to assist cities in the installment of light-rail networks and the improvement of existing transit and bus lines , Baldeira said .
■ Airports : Airports account for about $ 2.3 trillion in domestic travel , Baldeira said , making them a top priority for transportation-related infrastructure improvements . President Trump has defended a public-private partnership financing model for airports , which
Baldeira suggested would likely be what a Biden administration would follow .
■ Highways & Streets​ : Biden does not bring any new ideas to the table regarding the funding of highways and streets , Baldeira said , noting the revitalization and maintenance of highways is a “ common element ” for both candidates .

Impact on utilities , energy & industrial services

Utilities are a large part of U . S . infrastructure , but how much of infrastructure funding should be allocated to utilities ?
“ Obviously , we don ’ t know for sure ,” but tax advantages , grants and bond guarantees have all been proven as ways to support utilities ’ capital budgets , said BI utilities analyst Kit Konolige . He suggested that if Biden spent $ 500 billion a year on infrastructure , and allocated 25 % of that
NOVEMBER 2020 • DITCHMEN 23