Senate Drops Omnibus Idea and Amends House Continuing Resolution
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The Senate's plan for an omnibus replacing FY2011 spending bills collapsed and instead the Senate amended H.R. 3082--the House passed continuing resolution--and expects a cloture voted on Tuesday December 21, 2010. The amendments would fund the government through March 4, 2011. The current continuing resolution also expires on Tuesday. For more information on the specific changes in the bill and the most up-to-date information, visit the Senate Appropriations Committee website.
For more information contact Fritz Ohrenschall, Research Associate at the Northeast-Midwest Institute. |
DRBC Announces Draft Natural Gas Development Regulations
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Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) Executive Director Carol R. Collier last week announced that draft natural gas development regulations are now available for public review on the Commission's web site, www.drbc.net. According to DRBC, the purpose of the proposed regulations is to protect the water resources of the Delaware River Basin during the construction and operation of natural gas development projects. Three public hearings will be scheduled during the ensuing 90-day comment period to receive oral testimony on the proposed rulemaking. Details will be forthcoming as the dates and locations are confirmed. Written comments will be accepted through the close of business March 16, 2011 - see the DRBC website for more information.
For more information contact Rachel Dawson, Policy Analyst at the Northeast-Midwest Institute. |
House Passes Full-Year Continuing Resolution
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The House passed H.R. 3082, the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011. The bill contains the following additions and subtractions from current levels of funding:
Discretionary Appropriations (in millions of dollars):
- FY 2010 actual: $1,089,652
- FY 2011 president's request: $1,135,555
- FY 2011 continuing resolution (HR 3082): $1,089,652
Biggest Adjustments from 2010 (dollars)
- Reductions from fiscal 2010 levels
- 6 billion less for the Census, plus a rescission of $1.7 billion
- 5.1 billion less for defense base closure funding
- 1.5 billion less for high-speed rail
- 630 million rescinded from previously authorized highway projects
- 500 million rescinded from the Asset Forfeiture Fund
- Increased Spending
- 5.7 billion more for Pell grants
- 4.9 billion more for the Defense Department for regular Pentagon operations
- 3.1 billion more for Veterans Administration medical operations
- 723 million more for Social Security, Medicare and unemployment compensation
- 624 million more for nuclear weapons programs, dependent upon New START ratification
- 550 million more for Race to the Top education grants
- 438 million for nuclear nonproliferation efforts
See also the House Appropriations Committee's press release.
For more information contact Fritz Ohrenschall, Policy Analyst at the Northeast-Midwest Institute. |
Registration Open for Brownfields 2011 Conference
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Registration is open for the 2011 National Brownfields Conference which takes place April 3-5, 2011 in Philadelphia (click here to register). The conference is the largest, most comprehensive event focused on cleaning up and redeveloping abandoned, underutilized, and potentially contaminated properties in the nation. There is no better deal in the redevelopment marketplace than Brownfields 2011 because registration is FREE! The conference is cosponsored by the U.S. EPA and ICMA, and attracts more than six thousand registrants and hundreds of exhibitors.
Brownfields 2011 will offer:
- More than 100 lively panel sessions, interactive roundtable discussions and engaging town hall meetings
- Real-world projects showcased in mobile workshops and tours
- Exciting plenary speakers and networking events
- More than 200 solutions-oriented product and service providers in the Exhibit Hall
- Film screenings, volunteer activities and other special events
- The Economic Redevelopment Forum
- The Environmental Justice Caucus
- Regional EPA Open Houses
Whether you're a newcomer to the world of economic and environmental redevelopment, or a seasoned professional looking to make new connections and increase your business, Brownfields 2011 offers something for everyone.
For more information visit the conference website at www.brownfields2011.org.
For more information contact Greg Lewis, Policy Analyst at the Northeast-Midwest Institute. |
