What civil engineers are reading this week

• Senate votes to overturn Biden environmental rule on infrastructure

  The vote signaled strong Senate support for action to reform the often demanding federal permitting process, which can take up to eight to 10 years for highways and other major projects.

• Inflation Reduction Act includes $4 billion for western drought

  The aid is for “grants, contracts, or financial assistance agreements” in 17 western states, with priority for the Colorado River basin and other severely dry areas.

• The US Is dry, dry, dry: See a new map showing how much

  The U.S. Drought Monitor's map shows vast areas of the western, southwestern, and central U.S. in dark red and bright red, representing exceptional drought and extreme drought.

• Breakthrough in magnesium to replace lithium batteries

  The wide application of magnesium ion-based batteries has been limited by poor conductivity in solids at room temperature, but researchers recently have overcome this hurdle.

• The state of global energy — in 6 charts

  Energy demand bounced back rapidly after the pandemic. These charts show what that means for the global energy crisis and efforts to control climate change.

• EV manufacturers, regulators debate US ability to hit 50% sales goal by 2030

  The right federal policy and charging infrastructure, as well as solutions to supply chain issues, are critical to meeting the ambitious electric vehicle goal, according to a group of experts.