| Northeast-Midwest Institute Weekly Update |
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Hill Reception: LIHEAP Action Day, NEMW Coalition/Edison Electric Institute
| Tuesday, August 2, 2011 is Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Action day, with various events aimed at preserving LIHEAP funding. At 9:00am a panel discussion will take place at the American Gas Association (AGA) offices at 400 N. Capitol Street, NW. The discussion is hosted by the AGA and the National Fuel Funds Network. Panelists will include Kate Ostrander, Legislative Director of the NEMW House Coalition and Michael Gaffin, Legislative Director of the NEMW Senate Coalition. Later in the evening (5:30-7:30pm), a reception will be held at the Capitol Visitor Center, Room HVC-201. The Edison Electric Institute will host the reception in coordination with the House and Senate NEMW Coalitions.
For more information, contact Mike Gaffin, Legislative Director for the NEMW Senate Coalition, or Kate Ostrander, Legislative Director for the NEMW Congressional Coalition.
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EPA Funds and Great Lakes States' Ballast Regulations
| Visit the Northeast-Midwest Institute's background fact sheet on ballast water and relevant state programs. On July 12, 2011, Rep. LaTourette introduced an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2012 Interior and Environment Appropriations Act that would prohibit Environmental Protection Agency funding to Great Lakes states with ballast water treatment regulations stricter than the current International Maritime Organization's (IMO) standards and the Coast Guard's standards once implemented. The amendment was approved by a voice-vote. The appropriations measure, along with the amendment, are awaiting consideration by the full House. Debate on this appropriations measure began yesterday - July 25.
For more information, contact Leah Konrady, Director of the Great Lakes Washington Program.
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Congress Moves Harmful Algae Bill
| Congressman Andy Harris (MD-1) introduced a timely piece of legislation on July 11. This year's oxygen-starved dead zone in the Chesapeake Bay is expected to be the largest on record. The House Science, Space and Technology Committee marked-up the Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 2011 (H.R. 2484) on July 14 to reauthorize a national program for technical solutions for algal blooms and dead zones. A hearing on the bill was held on June 1 and full committee action is expected soon. In addition to targeting the Chesapeake Bay, the bill also targets the Mississippi River/Gulf of Mexico Watershed.
For more information on this bill and other news relevant to Mid-Atlantic watersheds, see the July installment of monthly updates. This edition includes information on:
- Clean Water Act guidance and legislation
- FY12 budget and appropriations progress
- Estuary and migratory bird bills
- EPA and Congressional fracking activities
Additionally, check out the July Update on Mississippi River Basin issues, which covers relevant news, legislation, and appropriations.
For more information, contact Rachel Dawson or Mark Gorman, Policy Analysts at the Northeast-Midwest Institute.
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Grants Workshop for Auto Communities
| Auto communities are those localities that are or were home to automotive plants, suppliers, and other auto businesses; many of these communities are clustered in the NEMW region. Next week, the Funders Network and partners are holding a Grants Workshop to provide training and technical support to auto communities. The one day workshop will provide an opportunity for auto community leaders and staff to learn more about federal resources available to them to assess, cleanup and redevelop brownfields. It will be a combination of presentation, interactive discussion, and individual grant writing feedback sessions. A draft agenda can be found here. The workshop will be held at the Hannah Center (819 Abbot Road) in East Lansing, MI on August 3, 2011 from 9:30am to 4:00pm. Participation is free, but registration is required by July 31st. (Complete and return registration form.)
For more information, contact Colleen Cain, Senior Policy Analyst at the Northeast-Midwest Institute.
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