The Plastics Pipe Institute (PPI) came out with a statement of support Dec. 8 for the new bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) H.R. 3684. David M. Fink, PPI president, made the following statement:

“With the landmark Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) H.R. 3684 now signed into law. Our nation will soon see a concentration of forces at work to revitalize and expand our existing infrastructure. The Plastics Pipe Institute heartily endorses this great investment in our country’s water, natural gas, broadband, energy, highways and airports, plus other areas of critical infrastructure.

“Critical to the repair and rebuilding of our roads that will receive $110 billion in additional funding, and also important for the environment, is the proper design and use of stormwater conveyance. Plus, virtually any construction project now needs to meet EPA and local environmental protection requirements that includes stormwater detention, retention and treatment. 

In addition to being a practical choice for stormwater, corrugated thermoplastic pipe can also contain a high degree of post-consumer recycled resin, a standard 20-foot length of 48-inch diameter HDPE pipe might take between 1,600 to 2,200 bottles out of the landfill.

“Aging government buildings such as schools, courthouses, and post offices contain original piping systems that have reached the end of their useful life and need to be replaced. Plastic pressure pipe materials from members of PPI’s Building & Construction Division provide modern solutions to upgrade plumbing and mechanical systems, work that will be funded by the IIJA and will increase building efficiency.

“The bill will make it possible to deliver clean water to all American families and eliminate the nation’s lead service lines.  It’s hard to believe, but right now there are nearly 10 million American households without safe drinking water.  The Infrastructure Deal will invest $55 billion to expand access to clean drinking water for households, businesses, schools, and child care centers across the country.  Many communities will benefit from new HDPE water mains and HDPE or PEX water service lines because these materials are reliable, safe, efficient to install and provide zero-leakage to make sure no water is wasted.  PPI’s Municipal & Industrial Division is ready to support growing implementation of these materials.

“While the rehabilitation of the water-based infrastructure takes place, the IIJA will also be used to propel our country into the future by providing more than $42 billion for the rapidly increasing need for fiber optic cable-based broadband.  As we have seen during the past two pandemic-filled years, broadband has become vital as work from home, education and other remote functions grew and became necessary.   Unfortunately, it has been reported that more than 30 million Americans live in areas where there is no broadband infrastructure with even the slowest speed, mostly in rural areas.  The infrastructure package will  help ensure that every American has access to reliable high-speed internet through a historic investment in broadband infrastructure deployment.  Publications from PPI’s Power & Communications Division can provide helpful information about how to design and install reliable broadband systems utilizing PE conduit.

“The bill appropriates $7.5 billion in part to support a hydrogen and natural gas fueling infrastructure.  Our Energy Piping Systems Division continues its work with regulatory agencies to meet the needs of every community and its work on developing design specifications and standards for the polyethylene, polyamide and  composite pipe used with these emerging fuels. 

“In short, plastic piping systems provide sustainable and environmentally responsible choices that will serve generations to come and are a perfect fit for the wide range of projects being funded in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.  Strong, durable, lightweight and safe, these piping systems require significantly less energy to manufacture, transport and install than metal or concrete alternatives.  With superior resistance to corrosion and abrasion, plastic piping systems also supply long service life, excellent joint performance and offer leak-free protection – all adding up to exceptional value, which is especially important to meet the goals of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.   

“PPI thanks every member of the House and Senate who supported this momentous infrastructure package.”