Extend WIFIA’s Maximum Term…As a First Step

By John Ryan

U.S. public infrastructure renewal was never going to be easy, but several current trends suggest that it will soon be even more challenging. Federal infrastructure loan programs are a proven policy tool, and their capabilities should be expanded in specific and practical ways to prepare for the hard times ahead. Extending the maximum term of loans from the EPA’s successful Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation program is a great place to start.

A Gloomy Outlook

The near-term outlook for U.S. public infrastructure renewal isn’t as positive as it has been for the last several years. Many economic, political and social factors are headed in the wrong direction, and all at the same time.