Infrastructure

The Path to Water Innovation

Papers • October 2014 • Newsha Ajami, Barton “Buzz” Thompson, David Victor

The United States’ aging water infrastructure will be increasingly strained by population growth, economic expansion, and the effects of climate change. In this Hamilton Project paper, Newsha K. Ajami, Barton H. Thompson, Jr., and David G. Victor suggest that solutions to the country’s growing water challenges lie, in part, with the development and adoption of new innovative technologies. The authors present three policy and regulation recommendations to facilitate greater innovation in the water sector.

Unlocking Spectrum Value through Improved Allocation, Assignment, and Adjudication of Spectrum Rights

Papers • March 2014 • J. Pierre de Vries, Phil J. Weiser

In a new Hamilton Project Discussion Paper, J. Pierre de Vries and Philip J. Weiser propose further reforms to move spectrum regulation away from its “command-and-control” regime to allow for a more-efficient allocation of spectrum resources.  De Vries and Weiser propose three distinct but complementary lines of reform. 

The Economic Promise of Wireless Spectrum

Papers • March 2014 • Benjamin H. Harris, Melissa S. Kearney

In a new policy memo, The Hamilton Project highlights four policy challenges hampering the economic potential of wireless spectrum and opportunities to address these challenges through innovative, evidence-driven approaches to reform.

The Hamilton Project Policy Response to the 2014 State of the Union Address

Papers • January 2014

In his 2014 State of the Union address, President Barack Obama spoke of a “breakthrough year for America” and foreshadowed a “year of action.” He focused on ways to expand opportunities for Americans by enhancing employment and education options for low-and middle-income citizens, developing more robust worker training programs, investing in America through infrastructure investments and energy innovation, the importance of making progress on immigration reform, and more. Since its launch in 2006, The Hamilton Project has released a range of targeted policy proposals that provide innovative, evidence-based approaches to addressing many of the policy priorities set forth in the Presidents address.

Reforming Federal Support for Risky Development

Papers • February 2013 • David R. Conrad, Edward A. Thomas

David Conrad and Ed Thomas explore how the National Flood Insurance Program and other federal disaster relief programs could be reformed to better align the costs and benefits of living in disaster-prone areas and help put the budget on more sound footing. This proposal aims to reduce budget costs of natural disasters and reduce risk to life and property of Americans living in disaster-prone areas.

Funding Transportation Infrastructure with User Fees

Papers • February 2013 • Jack Basso, Tyler Duvall

Investments in infrastructure are essential for a vital economy. Tyler Duvall and Jack Basso suggest looking to user fees as a way to raise revenues, reduce congestion on major roadways, reduce pollution, and promote wiser infrastructure investments.

The Hamilton Project Policy Response to the State of the Union Address

Papers • February 2013

In his State of the Union address, President Barack Obama outlined an ambitious second-term agenda focusing on policies to help strengthen America’s middle class through broad-based economic growth. Since its launch in 2006, The Hamilton Project has released a range of targeted policy proposals that provide innovative, evidence-based approaches to address many of the priorities set forth in this year’s address, which we offer as a resource to policymakers in response to specific ideas mentioned by the President this week.

Leveling the Playing Field for Natural Gas in Transportation

Papers • June 2012 • Christopher R. Knittel

Domestic natural gas is both cleaner and more affordable than oil, making it an attractive and practical alternative. In a new Hamilton Project paper, Christopher R. Knittel of MIT proposes a series of steps to promote natural gas in transportation.

The Hamilton Project Policy Response to the State of the Union Address

Papers • January 2012

Last night, President Barack Obama delivered his State of the Union address, putting forth his policy agenda to the 112th Congress on issues. Since its launch in 2006, The Hamilton Project has developed targeted policy proposals that touch on many of these areas, which we offer as a resource to policymakers in response to specific ideas mentioned by the President last evening. 

FEATURED

New Directions for U.S. Water Policy

October 20, 2014 • Palo Alto, CA

Water is critical to America’s social, economic, and ecological well-being. Yet, more than 70 percent of the western United States is in the grip of an ongoing drought that shows no signs of ending. On October 20th, The Hamilton Project and the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment hosted a forum and released new papers highlighting opportunities for improving water management in the United States in the face of scarce water supplies. Facebook Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg gave welcoming remarks, followed by an introduction and roadmap of the event by former U.S. Treasury Secretary Robert E. Rubin. 

FEATURED

Wireless Spectrum and the Future of Technology Innovation

March 24, 2014 • Washington, DC

On March 24th, The Hamilton Project hosted a forum addressing key challenges with the allocation and regulation of wireless spectrum. The event featured keynote remarks by FCC Chairman Thomas Wheeler.

FEATURED

State Roads to Economic Recovery: Policies, Pavements, and Partnerships

February 25, 2011 • Washington, DC

The Hamilton Project and the Metropolitan Policy Program held a forum focused on state strategies that can help close budget deficits while also growing state economies and creating much-needed jobs. As part of the event, The Hamilton Project released three new policy papers, as well as a strategy paper, focused on helping state and local governments invest more efficiently in infrastructure to ensure long-term economic competitiveness. 

Investing in America’s Infrastructure: From Bridges to Broadband

July 25, 2008 • Washington, DC

Governor Tim Kaine joined Robert E. Rubin and Lawrence H. Summers in the opening session of a Hamilton Project public forum on the need for a national strategy that promotes infrastructure as a central component of long-term, broadly shared growth.

Easing the Traffic Jam Through Congestion Pricing

April 1, 2008 • Washington, DC

David Lewis outlined his new Hamilton Project paper on the merits and potential barriers to congestion pricing as a tool for combating urban gridlock at an event co-sponsored with the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program.

New Directions for U.S. Water Policy: Panel 2 Video

October 20, 2014 • Video

Solutions to the country’s growing water challenges lie, in part, with the development and adoption of new innovative technologies, suggests the authors of a new paper for The Hamilton Project and the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment. On October 20th, the co-author Buzz Thompson of the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment presented a new proposal to spur water innovation, and was joined in a roundtable discussion by Tamin Pechet of Banyan Water, Michael Markus of the Orange County Water District, and Peter Yolles of Water Smart Software. Roger Altman of Evercore moderated the discussion.

Addressing America’s Poverty Crisis - Day 1, Panel 1

June 19, 2014 • Video

Day one of Addressing America’s Poverty Crisis opened with a CEO-level conversation on the importance of high-skill training and apprenticeship for the private sector. Sudeep Reddy of the Wall Street Journal moderated the discussion, and was joined by Klaus Kleinfeld of Alcoa and Mike Petters of Huntington Ingalls Industries.

Addressing America’s Poverty Crisis, Day 1 - Photo Gallery

June 19, 2014 • Photo Galleries

The Hamilton Project hosted day one of Addressing America's Poverty Crisis on Thursday, June 19 at the Washington Court Hotel in Washington, D.C. The summit included discussions around policies to build skills, promote early childhood development, and support disadvantaged youth. The day kicked off with a CEO-level discussion on the importance of apprenticeship and skill training, followed by three roundtable discussions featuring academic scholars and experts. 

Wireless Spectrum and the Future of Technology Innovation - Event Photos

March 24, 2014 • Photo Galleries

On March 24th, The Hamilton Project hosted a forum and released a new policy proposal addressing the key challenges of regulating wireless spectrum during a time of rapid change and increasing demand. Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Roger Altman opened the forum, and Federal Communications Commission Chairman Thomas Wheeler gave keynote remarks.

Wireless Spectrum and the Future of Technology Innovation - Introduction & Framing Remarks Audio

March 24, 2014 • Audio

On March 24th, The Hamilton Project hosted a forum and released a new policy proposal addressing key challenges with the allocation and regulation of wireless spectrum during a time of rapid change and increasing demand. Former U.S. Secretary Treasury Roger Altman opened the forum and introduced the panel. Hamilton Project director Melissa Kearney delivered framing remarks on the economic challenge of more-efficient assignment of wireless spectrum.

Wireless Spectrum and the Future of Technology Innovation - Roundtable Discussion Audio

March 24, 2014 • Audio

On March 24th, The Hamilton Project hosted a forum addressing key challenges with the allocation and regulation of wireless spectrum during a time of rapid change and increasing demand. A new policy proposal was presented by authors Pierre de Vries, Senior Fellow and Co-Director of the Spectrum Policy Initiative at the Silicon Flatirons Center and Phil Weiser, Dean and Thomson Professor at the University of Colorado Law School and Executive Director and Founder of the Silicon Flatirons Center. The authors were joined by discussants Dean Brenner, Senior Vice President, Government Affairs at Qualcomm; Joan Marsh, Vice President, Federal Regulatory Affairs from AT&T; and Preston Marshall, Wireless Networking at Google. The roundtable was moderated by Blair Levin, Communications & Society Fellow at The Aspen Institute.

Wireless Spectrum and the Future of Technology Innovation - Keynote Remarks Audio

March 24, 2014 • Audio

On March 24th, The Hamilton Project hosted a forum and released a new policy proposal addressing key challenges with the allocation and regulation of wireless spectrum during a time of rapid change and increasing demand. Federal Communications Commission Chairman Thomas Wheeler delivered keynote remarks. He was introduced by Roger C. Altman.

The Wireless Spectrum and the Future of Technology Innovation - Introduction & Framing Remarks

March 24, 2014 • Video

On March 24th, The Hamilton Project hosted a forum and released a new policy proposal addressing key challenges with the allocation and regulation of wireless spectrum during a time of rapid change and increasing demand. Former U.S. Secretary Treasury Roger Altman opened the forum and introduced the panel. Hamilton Project director Melissa Kearney delivered framing remarks on the economic challenge of more-efficient assignment of wireless spectrum.

The Wireless Spectrum and the Future of Technology Innovation - Roundtable Discussion

March 24, 2014 • Video

On March 24th, The Hamilton Project hosted a forum addressing key challenges with the allocation and regulation of wireless spectrum during a time of rapid change and increasing demand. A new policy proposal was presented by authors Pierre de Vries, Senior Fellow and Co-Director of the Spectrum Policy Initiative at the Silicon Flatirons Center and Phil Weiser, Dean and Thomson Professor at the University of Colorado Law School and Executive Director and Founder of the Silicon Flatirons Center. The authors were joined by discussants Dean Brenner, Senior Vice President, Government Affairs at Qualcomm; Joan Marsh, Vice President, Federal Regulatory Affairs from AT&T; and Preston Marshall, Wireless Networking at Google. The roundtable was moderated by Blair Levin, Communications & Society Fellow at The Aspen Institute.