| Northeast-Midwest Institute Weekly Update |
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Great Lakes Task Force Speaks Out on Water Compact Implementation
| On July 15, 2011, the House Great Lakes Task Force Co-Chairs (Rep. Candice Miller, Rep. John Dingell, and Rep. Louise Slaughter) sent a GLTF letter to Governor Kasich expressing concern over pending state legislation governing Ohio's approach to implementing the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact. The GLTF letter drew attention to the vast water withdrawals that would be allowed under the proposed legislation. Governor Kasich vetoed House Bill 231.
For more information, contact Leah Konrady, Director of the Great Lakes Washington Program.
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House Appropriations Committee Limits Funds to Great Lakes States with Strict Ballast Water Rules
| On July 12, 2011, the House Appropriations Committee adopted an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2012 Interior and Environment Appropriations Act to prohibit Environmental Protection Agency funding to states with ballast water treatment regulations stricter than the current International Maritime Organization's (IMO) standards and the Coast Guard's standards once implemented. As written, the amendment, introduced by Rep. Steve LaTourette, would affect Wisconsin, Michigan, and New York. The amendment was approved by a voice-vote. The appropriations measure, along with the amendment, are awaiting consideration by the full House.
For more information, contact Leah Konrady, Director of the Great Lakes Washington Program.
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Strong Cities, Strong Communities Pilot Initiative Launched
| Last week, the Obama Administration launched Strong Cities, Strong Communities (SC2), a new and customized pilot initiative it designed to strengthen local capacity and spark economic growth in local communities while ensuring taxpayer dollars are used wisely and efficiently. To accomplish this, federal agencies will provide experienced staff to work directly with six cities, three of which are in the NEMW region: Chester, PA; Cleveland, OH; and Detroit, MI. These teams will work with local governments, the private sector, and other institutions to leverage federal dollars and support the work being done at the local level to encourage economic growth and community development. Read the full press release here.
For more information, contact Colleen Cain, Senior Policy Analyst at the Northeast-Midwest Institute.
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EPA Announces Environmental Workforce Development and Job Training Grantees
| Last week, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa P. Jackson announced that EPA is awarding more than $6.2 million in national environmental workforce development and job training grants. Graduates of the program are equipped with skills and certifications in various environmental fields including lead and asbestos abatement, environmental site sampling, construction and demolition debris recycling, and energy auditing and weatherization. Nearly half of the twenty-one governmental entities and non-profit organizations receiving grants are located in NEMW states. These include: CT, IL, IN, MD, MA, MN, NJ, and NY.
For more information, contact Rachel Dawson, Policy Analyst at the Northeast-Midwest Institute.
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Amtrak Celebrates Projected 30 Million Passengers
| Amtrak announced that by the close of its fiscal year on September 30, 2011 it expects to have served a record 30 million passengers. This number is up from last year's 28.7 million riders and part of the trend of increased Amtrak ridership over the last decade. The ridership figures were announced at a time when debate continues in the House over Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman John Mica's (R-FL) proposal to privatize Amtrak. They were also announced as the House approved a fiscal 2012 energy and spending bill that would take back high-speed rail funds from the stimulus act that have been promised to states but have not been paid out. Among the grants in question are $795 million for Amtrak's Northeast Corridor service, and more than $400 million for a network connecting eight Midwestern states, although only a share of each of those projects came directly from stimulus money. For more coverage, see The Hill and E&E Daily.
For more information, contact Fritz Ohrenschall, Research Associate at the Northeast-Midwest Institute.
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"Road to Recovery: Transforming America's Transportation" Report Released
| In a report released last week, "Road to Recovery: Transforming America's Transportation", former U.S. Senator Bill Bradley, former Pennsylvania Governor and Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge, and former U.S. Comptroller General David Walker detail a non-partisan reform strategy to address pressing transportation problems, such as rising gas prices, dependence on foreign oil, crumbling infrastructure, and traffic congestion. According to the report, the best strategy will simultaneously stabilize gas prices, finance America's transportation infrastructure, and decrease the deficit-creating a stronger transportation system for the future. To read the press release or the full report visit its page at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
For more information, contact Fritz Ohrenschall, Research Associate at the Northeast-Midwest Institute.
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