Texas Resources
Texas Resources
Welcome to the Texas Resources page, below you will find key information relating to Texas's Infrastructure grants and allocations.
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in Texas
In Texas there are 818 bridges and over 19,400 miles of highway in poor condition. Since 2011, commute times have increased by 11.4% in Texas and on average, each driver pays $709 per year in costs due to driving on roads in need of repair.
To date, $15 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding has been announced and is headed to Texas with over 589 specific projects identified for funding. Since the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed, approximately $12.6 billion has been announced for transportation – to invest in roads, bridges, public transit, ports and airports – and roughly $1 billion has been announced for clean water in Texas. And, as of today, more than 1,359,000 households across the state are receiving affordable high-speed internet due to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Many more projects will be added in the coming months, as funding opportunities become grant awards and as formula funds become specific projects. By reaching communities all across Texas – including rural communities and historically underserved populations – the law makes critical investments that will improve lives for Texans and position the state for success.
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The Texas Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging plan is a comprehensive framework to enable passenger EV travel across the state and spur economic development. The network will give Electric Vehicle drivers confidence and flexibility when traveling for work, recreation, or exploration regardless of distance traveled or weather conditions. In accordance with guidance, the plan will focus on interstate routes then transition to off interstate routes and urban areas. The plan was developed in cooperation with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, State Energy Conservation Office, Texas Parks and Wildlife, Texas Department of Transportation, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, Public Utility Commission, Councils of Government, Counties, Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), utilities, energy service providers, and advocacy groups in Texas. The EV Plan supports the goals of Optimizing System Performance (economic development, connectivity, mobility, reliability) and Fostering Stewardship of the state’s natural, historic, and cultural resources as outlined in the Texas Transportation Plan 2050. TxDOT participated in numerous listening sessions with utilities, grid operators, consultants, fueling station providers, non-profits, and think tanks to better understand the needs, landscape, and trajectory of charging infrastructure in the state.
Texas is the gateway to global trade for the nation. Texas’ central location and state-of-the-art transportation networks provide timely access to domestic and global markets via air, land and sea. With more miles of public roadways, state highways, freight railways, airports and Foreign Trade Zones than any other state, it’s no surprise that Texas has led the nation in exports for the last two decades. In 2022, Site Selection Magazine named Texas the #1 state on its Global Groundwork Index, which recognizes states where infrastructure projects and corporate investment are aligning for the future. Texas offers international companies approximately 31 ports of entry and 34 Foreign Trade Zones. And the state’s transportation network continues to get stronger. The state of Texas continues to invest in its infrastructure, including a 10-year, $83 billion commitment to new state roadway projects.
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act 2022 (IIJA) has garnered much attention among those interested in water infrastructure and has generated considerable press coverage. This interest and coverage has generated many questions about the funds’ use and application. This FAQ is intended to answer some of the questions but is limited to the IIJA funds flowing through the EPA to the state’s existing State Revolving Funds (SRFs) for water and wastewater infrastructure.
The mission of the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) is to lead the state's efforts in ensuring a secure water future for Texas and its citizens. Our mission is a vital part of Texas' overall vision and the state's mission and goals that relate to maintaining the viability of the state's natural resources, health, and economic development. The TWDB’s main responsibilities are threefold: collecting and disseminating water-related data; assisting with regional water supply and flood planning that contributes to preparing the state water plan and state flood plan; and administering cost-effective financial programs for constructing water supply, wastewater treatment, flood control, and agricultural water conservation projects. Since 1957, the TWDB has been charged with addressing the state’s water needs. The TWDB works to ensure Texans have access to sufficient, clean, and affordable water supplies that foster a healthy economy and environment.
The Public Utility Commission of Texas regulates the state's electric, telecommunication, and water and sewer utilities, implements respective legislation, and provides customer assistance in resolving consumer complaints.
The Broadband Development Office (BDO) is the steward of state and federal dollars intended to close the digital divide by increasing access to reliable, high-speed internet in the state. The BDO will award grants, low-interest loans and other financial incentives to internet service providers who expand access in eligible areas. The office is also engaging with communities to address their broadband needs and is a resource for local governments seeking information on funding opportunities. By early October 2022, the BDO expects to have the process ready for accepting applications and making initial financial awards.
The Broadband Development Office (BDO) was established by the state legislature in 2021 to award grants, low-interest loans and other financial incentives to applicants seeking to expand access to and adoption of broadband service in designated areas determined to be eligible by the office. Below are current and upcoming funding opportunities for applicants seeking to expand broadband in their territories.
Authorized by the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the BEAD Program will fund projects that help expand high-speed internet access and use. It supports infrastructure deployment, mapping and adoption, including planning and capacity-building in state offices. It also supports outreach and coordination with local communities. The program is designed to expand internet access to these priority areas: Unserved locations (speeds less than 25/3 Mbps). Underserved locations (speeds greater than 25/3 Mbps but less than 100/20 Mbps). BDO expects the BEAD Program to be operational in 2024. Program Guidance BEAD Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Other supporting materials
Elected by the people of Texas in 2014, Glenn Hegar serves as the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. The Texas Comptroller's office was originally created by the Texas provisional government in 1835. The Comptroller is the chief steward of the state's finances, acting as tax collector, chief accountant, chief revenue estimator and chief treasurer for all of state government, in addition to administering a number of other programs.
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The White House recently released its Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Guidebook. The guidebook is meant to serve as a roadmap for state and local governments to use to access funding from the more than 350 programs included in the IIJA. The guidebook has 13 chapters separated out by issue area and will be updated to reflect emerging details and deadlines for the different programs. Interested city officials can read more about the guidebook here and access additional information on the guidebook from NLC here.
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Federal Highway Administration awarded the first round of grants from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Bridge Investment Program. The first round of planning grants will provide $18.4 million to 23 projects in 23 states that improve safety, support economic competition, and provide resilient highway infrastructure to withstand the effects of climate change. Planning grants allow the USDOT to aid in the development of projects that could later apply for construction grants. Some of the projects include: The city of Seattle in Washington will receive $2.4 million to plan for the replacement of the 4th Street Bridge over the Argo Railyard, following a previous seismic retrofit that identified costs were such that replacement was the best option. The city of Philadelphia in Pennsylvania will receive $1.56 million for a planning and feasibility study to rehabilitate 18 bridges located over electrified rail lines primarily operated by Amtrak and the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority. The Connecticut Department of Transportation will receive $1 million for a study to develop and examine preliminary alternatives for replacing the Interstate 95 bridge near exits 7-9 through the city of Stamford. The Kodiak Island Borough in Alaska will receive $1.28 million for the Kodiak Sargent Creek and Russian River Bridges Planning Study. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Bridge Investment Program will invest $12.5 billion over five years, $20 million dedicated to Bridge Planning Grants in fiscal year 2022.
The White House estimates that Texas will receive about $35.44 billion over five years for roads, bridges, pipes, ports, broadband access and other projects after federal lawmakers passed a long-anticipated national infrastructure bill on Friday. The influx of capital is set to advance existing transit plans, pay for much-needed repairs and could lay the groundwork toward increasing transportation options for Texans. U.S. House lawmakers gave the roughly $1.2 trillion measure final approval late Friday after a series of negotiations and concessions to get the bill passed. President Joe Biden is expected to sign the bill into law soon.