| Northeast-Midwest Institute Weekly Update |
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Reps. LaTourette and Matsui Introduce Safe and Complete Streets Act of 2011
| On May 5, 2011, Representatives Steve LaTourette (R-OH)--co-chair of the Northeast-Midwest Coalition--and Doris Matsui (D-CA) introduced the Safe and Complete Streets Act of 2011 (H.R. 1780 [PDF]). The bill aims "[t]o ensure the safety of all users of the transportation system, including pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, children, older individuals, and individuals with disabilities, as they travel on and across federally funded streets and highways." The bill functions "by requiring states and Metropolitan Planning Organizations to write and adopt their own policies to ensure that federally funded transportation projects take steps to safely accommodate all motorists, freight vehicles, public transportation riders, bicyclists, and pedestrians of all ages and abilities." A "Dear Colleague" letter [PDF] is being circulated by Reps. Matsui and LaTourette. To read more, see coverage by the National Complete Streets Coalition.
For more information, contact Fritz Ohrenschall, Research Associate.
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Energy and Natural Resources Committee Hears Clean Energy Deployment Administration (CEDA) Proposal
| Last week, the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources heard a proposal for the establishment of a Clean Energy Deployment Administration (CEDA). CEDA would take the form of an independent government entity responsible for the financing, developing, and deploying clean energy technologies. The proposal was based on Title I, Subtitle A of the American Clean Energy Leadership Act of 2009 (S. 1462) sponsored by Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) in the 111th Congress. The full hearing can be viewed on the ENR website, here. Witness testimony can also be read via the Committee's website. NEMW states typically pay higher energy prices than other regions; thus, the development and deployment of energy-efficient and renewable energy technologies are particularly important. The Northeast-Midwest Institute works on a variety of fronts to advance innovative technologies and improve the region's efficiency.
For more information, contact Colleen Cain, Senior Policy Analyst.
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Department of Energy to Hold State and Local Clean Energy Summit
| On May 18 and 19, 2011, the Department of Energy will host a summit on the State Energy Program (SEP) and Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program (EECBG). States and local governments are close to spending 50% of the Recovery Act investment in energy efficiency, renewable energy, and related job creation through these programs and through developing related programs and policies. The conference will assist federal, state and local government energy leaders to strategize and share best practices for sustaining and expanding investment in energy efficiency and renewable energy for the post-Recovery Act period. The conference website and registration information can be found here.
For more information, contact Colleen Cain, Senior Policy Analyst.
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Partnership for Sustainable Communities Brownfield Pilots Webpage
| In partnership with the Departments of Transportation and Housing & Urban Development, the Brownfields Program at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency just launched a new page devoted to the five Brownfield Partnership pilots. The webpage includes final reports and tools for four of the five pilots. NEMW-based tools and resources posted include:
- Brownfield inventory tool to help prioritize brownfield parcels for development of a greenway along the Fairmont Corridor in Boston, MA
- Transit-oriented development strategy for Martindale Brightwood neighborhood in Indianapolis, Indiana
A report for Iowa City will be posted soon, along with a final report that discusses all five of the pilots and lessons learned. The Northeast-Midwest Institute has a long history of working on brownfields issues, which disproportionately affect our region. Currently, the Institute is working on a project that examines the use of brownfield sites for the development of alternative energy. For more information, contact Fritz Ohrenschall, Research Associate.
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Illinois To Receive $186 Million in High-Speed Rail Funding
| The State of Illinois will receive $186 million in high-speed rail funding. The funds were previously set aside for Florida but they were rejected by Gov. Rick Scott.
Illinois will spend the money to improve the rail line between Chicago and St. Louis. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) said in a press release, "[i]mprovements to this route will improve on-time performance, increase travel speeds and create jobs that our state badly needs." The junior Senator from Illinois, and Co-Chair of the NEMW Senate Coalition Great Lakes Task Force, Mark Kirk (R) said "[h]igh-speed rail projects like this one will ensure that Illinois remains at the center of the nation's infrastructure network, attracting more jobs and making us more economically competitive." The total high-speed rail funding for Illinois is now $1.4 billion. Further details can be found in The Hill's Transportation Report and the Chicago Tribune.
For more information, contact Fritz Ohrenschall, Research Associate.
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