Key state policymakers and legislators will be guest speakers in a new class, "The Governor's Plan for Investing in California Infrastructure," taught this spring by UC Davis professor Deb Niemeier, director of the John Muir Institute of the Environment (JMIE).

The students have already heard from Steve Schnaidt, staff director of the state Senate Transportation Committee, and from staff members of the Legislative Analyst's Office.

Niemeier said the course, which meets Fridays from 10 a.m. to noon, will focus on three major areas of proposed infrastructure improvements: water supply, flood control and transportation.

"Gov. Schwarzenegger's $228 billion plan is one of the largest proposed public works investment plans in the history of California and presents a unique educational opportunity," Niemeier said. "This class will look at the public policy issues raised by such an investment and analyze both the governor's proposal and various legislative proposals."

She said the water-supply and flood-control investment plan calls for expanding water supply to serve 8.5 million more people and the agriculture industry, and doubling the amount of flood protection in the Sacramento area. The transportation infrastructure improvement plan is aimed at reducing delays due to congestion and substantially improving air quality.

Niemeier, a professor of civil and environmental engineering, is an expert on the effects of transportation on air quality and the processes used to select projects and to manage major transportation infrastructure. She has served on the expert independent review teams to assess the cost increases associated with the San Francisco Bay Bridge and to review the cost methods used for the proposed third locks of the Panama Canal. In addition to directing JMIE, she serves as a UC Davis associate vice chancellor for research and directs the UC Davis-Caltrans Air Quality Project.