In the United States, the conversation around decarbonization generally centers around the same handful of options. In large part, the policy approaches include tax, subsidy, grants, or favorable regulatory emphasis. The technological and industrial tools for decarbonization often include wind and solar as the popular energy generators, batteries as the…
This is the third and final policy blog in the series investigating train length. The purpose is to survey the impacts and implications of longer trains to the U.S. economy, public safety, and the world. Because railroads are so central to the nation’s supply chain and transportation network, it is…
When it comes to decarbonizing the U.S. economy, one could be forgiven for thinking the answer is as simple as ramping up wind and solar. While that is an option – albeit one that on its own would take decades – a more realistic approach is to identify what the…
In this blog series, we are tackling the question of what longer trains mean for the United States and the world. We are using three lenses to evaluate this policy issue: safety, costs, and climate impact. Be sure to read our first blog overviewing modern day freight rail and explaining…
There seems to be agreement from all sides that hydrogen is the fuel of the future. It is combustible and energy rich, and because its molecular formula is all H, there is no carbon in the equation to emit. If our utility-scale electricity on the grid, industrial and commercial heat,…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Washington, D.C. (March 9, 2023) – The Alliance for Innovation and Infrastructure (Aii) is encouraged by the recent announcement from the Common Ground Alliance (CGA) of its “50 in 5” challenge and calls on CGA and industry participants to provide and commit to a plan with measurable…
In one of his early responses to the derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg referenced the apparent common phenomenon of derailments in the United States. Whether to downplay or simply place it in context, Buttigieg stated that around 1,000 trains derail every year – around three each…
Longer trains can be a blessing or a curse, depending on where you sit. Certainly when stuck at a blocked crossing, one can only see the negatives. But what does a more wholistic assessment of longer trains reveal? Does the frustration outweigh the benefits, or are longer trains a key…
Blue, Grey, Green – oh my! The road to the emerald city of the future seems to feature a number of alternative energy projects with varying levels of promise. Perhaps the most touted yet least utilized at scale is hydrogen. But there seem to be many variations of hydrogen comprising…
The Damage Information Reporting Tool (DIRT) Report from the Common Ground Alliance (CGA) is the definitive word on excavation damage to underground facilities. Stakeholders and policymakers alike go to this resource to understand the level of damage, estimate the costs imposed on society, and peer inside the root causes in…
This month, the population of the planet is believed to have surpassed 8 billion living people. This milestone serves as a reminder of the importance of critical natural resources, infrastructure, agriculture, and various services. Without well-functioning markets, supply chains, and governments, millions of people will be exposed to heat or…
Come along with Aii team member Andrew on his route from Norfolk, VA to Bozeman, Montana! In this video, we take a look at premium gas prices and how they vary from state to state. Enjoy not only a bit of insight into fuel costs, but a scenic route across…
This summer, Aii Founder Brigham McCown embarked on a cross-country road trip in his Tesla Model 3 from Seattle, WA to Washington, D.C. When he made it to Cincinatti, Aii team member Benjamin Dierker jumped in his gas-powered car to race to the nation’s capital from South Carolina. Watch these…
Earlier this year, Yellowstone National Park was at the epicenter of a historical flooding that resulted in the elimination of homes, bridges, and the possibility of reentry into the park. Restoring damaged infrastructure comes at a monumental cost, not purely structurally but reputationally and economically as well. According to the…
Bridge unveilings have been popular dating back to 1866 with the unveiling of the Great Suspension Bridge. One of the latest ribbon cuttings was originally expected in early 2023, yet the Nice-Middleton Bridge was fully opened to the public on October 13, 2022 extending across the Potomac River between Charles…
