Council of Project Finance Advisors Formed

Perhaps a kind of infrastructure tipping point has finally been reached ? one sparked by a number of highly visible incidents including a bridge collapse, a steam pipeline explosion, a major water pipe break less than 15 miles from the White House, and another dismal report card from the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).

Along with a spate of special reports focused on infrastructure challenges such as the recent survey jointly published by KPMG International and The Economist Intelligence Unit titled ?The Changing Face of Infrastructure,? the report produced by NUCA?s Clean Water Council titled ?Sudden Impact,? and the Aspen Institute?s published dialogue on ?Sustainable Water Systems: Step One - Redefining the Nation?s Infrastructure Challenge, there have also been a number of congressional initiatives to increase both the focus and funding for the country?s growing infrastructure investment needs (a proposed Water Trust Fund, a proposed National Infrastructure Bank, a suggested Federal Water Infrastructure Bank, a renewed interest to modify the guidelines surrounding the use of the private activity bonds for water projects, etc.). Never before in recent history have there been so much talk about the potential expanding role of public-private partnerships (PPPs) when it comes to effectively addressing the aging infrastructure conditions in the United States.