Revitalized U.S. Infrastructure-A Key Element for Homeland Security

摘要

The current aging and deteriorating condition of the U.S. infrastructure (or lifelines, as the infrastructure is sometimes called) has been periodically in the media headlines as intermittent failures or shortcomings have become manifest. Infrastructure is generally considered to include all of the nation's facilities that provide for the underlying necessities of its population and commerce, such as power, water, heat, communications, and transportation. More specifically, it encompasses our power plants and electrical distribution grid, waterways and water supply, communication lines, highways, railroads, and respective bridges, airports, and harbors. Disruptions in any of these essential basic services will certainly cause immediate hardships to both individuals and businesses in the affected areas and could have a ripple effect elsewhere.