Build America 250 Act: More than a highway bill

Every year, Congress reauthorizes the nation's surface transportation programs, establishing federal policy and funding priorities for highways, bridges, transit, freight rail, motor carrier safety, and hazardous materials transportation. The current authorization expires Sept. 30, making this one of the few "must-pass" bills on Capitol Hill.

The House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee (T&I) has already advanced H.R. 8870, the bipartisan BUILD America 250 Act, by a 62-2 vote, demonstrating broad support as lawmakers begin the next phase of negotiations. Currently, there is no Senate companion to the bill, which means the next two months are critical to reauthorizing these programs.

For the midstream industry, surface transportation reauthorization is about much more than roads and bridges. The legislation establishes the federal framework governing many of the systems that enable the safe and efficient movement of energy and hazardous materials, while also presenting opportunities to improve project delivery, streamline permitting, strengthen freight mobility, and modernize pipeline safety programs.

Large legislative packages like this also frequently become vehicles for bipartisan policy priorities that may not advance independently through the chambers, making them an important focal point for industry advocacy during the legislative process.

As Congress considers the BUILD America 250 Act in the months ahead, GPA Midstream staff will be closely monitoring provisions affecting pipeline safety, hazardous materials transportation, permitting, and infrastructure project delivery. Just as importantly, we will be watching for amendments and negotiations that could influence how energy infrastructure projects are planned, reviewed, and constructed.

While the bill is still early in the legislative process, it represents one of the most significant opportunities this Congress to shape federal transportation policy in ways that directly affect the midstream sector.