What civil engineers are reading this week

• Biden focuses on climate, families in trimmed $2T plan

  Scaling down his “build back better” plans, President Joe Biden described a more limited vision of a $2 trillion government-overhaul package with at least $500 billion to tackle climate change.

• US needs more mines to boost rare earths supply chain, Pentagon says

  The U.S. and ally nations should mine and process more rare earths to ensure adequate global supply of the strategic minerals for military and commercial uses, a Department of Defense official says.

• President to host talks on his agenda, including infrastructure bill

  President Joe Biden will host separate meetings today with moderate and progressive Democratic lawmakers who are wrangling over aspects of his infrastructure and social spending bills.

• Kansas DOT launches survey to explore future transportation funding

  The state's department of transportation says motor fuel tax revenues continue to decline.

• Agencies warn of cyber threats to water, wastewater systems

  An advisory provides a threats overview, which includes spear phishing personnel to deliver malicious payloads, including ransomware.

• 7 challenges facing Port of LA to support 24/7 supply chains

  Roughly 18,000 truck drivers move in and out of the port, so officials must work with the trucking industry to figure out how best to operate around the clock.