Plant & Facilities Engineering

Without a doubt better infrastructure and better energy usage will eventually translate into the US becoming a stronger player economically. How long will it take? Now that's the important question. It will not be a quick fix regarding our energy grid and transportation systems. Our railways are outdated, our electrical grids are outdated, and our communication grid is lacking. All require massive infusions of billions of dollars over many years in order to rectify the shortcomings. But if there are no changes made to rules, regulations, and policies governing access to these grids and systems then all of the money that we throw at solving these problems will be utterly wasted since new energy sources will be blocked from entering the grids, new transportation systems will not meet existing guidelines, or will be forced to operate outside of existing guidelines. Much administrative work needs to be done in order for updated grids and systems to become smoothly incorporated into the existing framework. Let's hope Congress is willing to do this sort of work without being forced into doing it at the last minute!