Rural Alaska has faced a long-standing infrastructure crisis, with many communities lacking access to running water and modern sanitation systems. The Biden administration’s infrastructure bill is set to change that. This landmark legislation allocates funding to install first-ever water and sewer systems in dozens of rural Alaskan villages.
The lack of basic sanitation in these communities has led to widespread health challenges, including high rates of respiratory and waterborne illnesses. This funding aims to improve living conditions, create local construction jobs, and enhance public health outcomes.
While the bill received bipartisan support from Alaska’s congressional delegation, many Republican lawmakers nationwide criticized it as wasteful spending, aligning with a broader effort to oppose Democratic-led initiatives. Despite this opposition, the infrastructure improvements are moving forward, bringing long-awaited change to underserved areas of Alaska.
Our Verdict: Good for Alaska
Improved health outcomes and builds new infrastructure that create jobs and returns dollars to Alaskans who pay higher-than-average healthcare costs. Great for generations to come.