In 2021 the Biden-Harris Administration announced the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which is the largest investment in the nation’s infrastructure since the Eisenhower Administration. The IIJA was signed into law in November of last year and allocated $1.2T over the next five years. Major goals of the IIJA are:
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- Rebuild America’s roads, bridges, and rails
- Expand access to clean drinking water
- Ensure every American has access to high-speed internet
- Tackle the climate crisis
- Advance environmental justice
- Invest in communities that have been left behind
This unprecedented investment will create good paying jobs and promote domestic manufacturing for the foreseeable future. Once funds have been committed, states will determine which specific projects will be funded, and it is important to mention that IIJA projects and related products will be closely monitored and subject to compliance regulations.
Below is an image that breaks down the major areas of funding for the IIJA:
In addition, the IIJA enacted the Build America, Buy America (BABA) Act that established a domestic content procurement preference for all Federal financial assistance obligated or infrastructure projects after May 14, 2022. Federally funded infrastructure projects may reference a Build America / Buy America (BABA) preference for domestic products. However, the Made in America Office has yet to provide detailed guidance for domestic requirements applicable to lighting and controls products. Acuity Brands products with the BAA designation are manufactured in the U.S. consistent with the intent of the BABA Act. Look for the BAA logo on our spec sheets and the Buy America(n) Guidance, or refer to the Buy American Infrastructure Solutions reference section in the IIJA Lighting Solutions website. In addition, waivers can be sought where domestic products are not produced in the U.S. in sufficient and reasonably available quantities of satisfactory quality.
How Acuity Brands Helps
A large portion of the IIJA will be allocated to the transportation sector including roads and bridges. Acuity’s Holophane and American Electric brands provide a perfect solution to those seeking to upgrade their existing lighting, or install new lighting, as part of utilizing those funds.
Acuity Brands Lighting offers the industry standard for LED roadway lighting. Designed virtually maintenance-free by American Electric Lighting, the Autobahn Series LED streetlight uses breakthrough LED technology and precision-engineered optics to provide exceptional LED roadway lighting. With 125 years of experience in manufacturing prismatic optics, Holophane provides robust and reliable outdoor architectural lighting solutions. The Arlington LED Post-top lanterns have a timeless design to meet the needs of sustainability and energy management. Our dedicated IIJA Lighting Solutions site features all products from Holophane and American Electric Lighting including product recommendations for Infrastructure applications in transportation, local governments, ports, and water treatment plants.
We want to partner with you to help you grow your business. With over a decade in the industry, Acuity Brands has a strong record of product reliability and innovation. We also offer customer service with several great ways to get support from us including our help center and customer support representatives. Our company has a commitment to compliance and our associates closely monitor regulatory and compliance standards related to IIJA funding.
I look forward to continuing to bring you strategic topics, like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, that will help you grow your business. Stay current on the latest products news and industry information by signing up for our monthly Contractor Corner Newsletter today.
David Errigo, Director of Renovation Sales
