On July 29, 2025. Union Pacific (UP) and Norfolk Southern (NS), two of the three biggest rail companies in the U.S., agreed to an $85 […]
Read MorePolicy Blog
Our policy blog contains shorter news, overview, or analysis of issues giving the general public, policymakers, and industry leaders an update or review of a new issue or refresher of a longstanding one. They cover a number of public policy challenges, focusing on pro-innovation solutions that can be implemented in a nonpartisan way through law, regulation, or simply best practices. These include an issue background, explanation of the challenge, and proposed solutions or recommendations. Aii white papers are longer than policy briefs, but not more complicated. To ensure you are up to speed and ready for these reports, try reading our policy blogs and briefs. Want a deeper dive on a single topic? Visit our Issues pages for background, challenges, solutions, and all our analysis on the subject.
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Telosa and the Challenge of Building a City from Scratch
The construction of a truly new city is among the largest infrastructure projects that can be undertaken. The metropolises of the modern world are supported […]
Read MoreThe Politics of Data Center Uncertainty
Monterey Park, California recently passed a permanent ban on the construction of AI data centers, with over 86 percent of the electorate rejecting data centers […]
Read MoreA New Transcontinental Railroad
The ‘transcontinental railroad’ has long been a symbol of Manifest Destiny and American exceptionalism. America may soon be able to celebrate a “true” transcontinental railroad. […]
Read MoreNew York Pauses Data Centers. What Happens Next?
On July 14, 2026, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed Executive Order 62, placing a moratorium on data centers and making New York the first […]
Read MoreBuilding a More Wildfire-Resilient Grid
Only a bit past halfway through, and, 2026 has been no stranger to wildfires. Unfortunately, neither has it been immune from their effects on the […]
Read MoreThe Traditional Electric Grid: Grid Balancing Hierarchy
This is part of a series on electric utilities in the United States. Follow along to learn more about both electric infrastructure and markets. […]
Read MoreNuclear Renaissance: Small Reactors and Nuclear Innovation
Nuclear power has remained a dormant force in U.S. electric generation capacity since the Cold War. Once perceived as the revolutionary technology of the next […]
Read MoreVirtual Foreword for Holding Back Disaster
Holding Back Disaster features a foreword by former U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Mary E. Peters and an afterword by former President of the Common Ground […]
Read MoreAhead of National 811 Day, New Book Shows the Stakes
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 7, 2026 Ahead of National 811 Day, New Book Estimates Up to 1.2 Million Underground Utility Strikes and $150 Billion in […]
Read MoreThe Pipeline That Could Bypass Hormuz
The ongoing US-Iran War of 2026 has disrupted the equilibrium of international oil trade. It is now five months since Operation Epic Fury began, with […]
Read MoreRailroad Mergers: How do they work?
Railroads serve as an essential component of American transportation infrastructure, moving freight and people across the nation. The nation’s railways transported over $17.7 billion of […]
Read MoreAutomated Track Inspection Goes National
In April 2025, the Alliance for Innovation and Infrastructure published Driving Regulatory Innovation for Safer Railroading, examining how the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) waiver process […]
Read MoreThe Grid Modernization Challenge
The vast interconnected network that is the United States electric grid is one of the most important and impressive infrastructure projects in history. Since its […]
Read More2026 World Cup: Lessons for Water Infrastructure
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaching its final match on July 19, the tournament has drawn billions of fans from around the world. Each […]
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