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NEMWI to Host Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Briefing Today
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The Northeast-Midwest Institute is hosting a Capitol Hill briefing today, September 21, 2011 from 4:00pm to 5:15pm on the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative to provide status and update information. The event will take place in SVC 215 at the Capitol Visitor Center. Speakers for the event will be:
- Cam Davis: Senior Advisor to the Administrator of EPA
- Charlie Wooley: Fish and Wildlife Service
- Matt Doss: Great Lakes Commission
- Jim Zorn: Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission
- Chad Lord: Healing Our Waters Coalition
To attend and add your name to the Visitor Center allowable entrance list, please RSVP to Leah Konrady, Director of the Great Lakes Washington Program at the Northeast-Midwest Institute.
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NEMWI Capitol Hill Briefing Recap: Fracking 101
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On Monday, September 19, the Northeast-Midwest Institute and the Northeast-Midwest Senate Coalition hosted a "Fracking 101" Capitol Hill briefing. The briefing provided NEMW Coalition staff with basic background on the issue of natural gas extraction from shale formations in the NEMW region. The discussion featured panelists from various sectors who shared basic "fracking" information and answered questions about the unconventional natural gas development process. The event was attended by both Senate and House staffers from the Northeast-Midwest Congressional Coalitions, as well as several Senate committee staffers. Presenters included:
- David Cole, Senior Advisor, Shell Oil Upstream Americas Onshore Gas
- Jan Jarett, President and CEO, Penn Future
- Dr. David Velinsky, Biogeochemist, Senior Scientist and Vice President of the Academy of Natural Sciences and Director of the Patrick Center for Environmental Research
Additional, in-depth briefings on specific themes within this broader issue will follow this fall.
For more information, contact Rachel Dawson, Policy Analyst at the Northeast-Midwest Institute.
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NEMWI Releases Note to the Coalitions on Partnership for Sustainable Communities Activity in the NEMW Region
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The Northeast-Midwest Institute released a "Note to the Coalitions" on Federal Partnership for Sustainable Communities program and grant activity in the NEMW region. The Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Transportation, and the Environmental Protection Agency jointly form the Partnership. This Note to the Coalitions provides background on the Partnership and its role in the NEMW region so far, allowing NEMW Coalition members to make informed decisions in ongoing appropriations debates. The report details 2010 grantees in the Northeast-Midwest and calculates total funding in the region as a percentage of national grant funding.
For more information, contact Colleen Cain, Senior Policy Analyst at the Northeast-Midwest Institute.
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Transportation Extension Passes in House and Senate
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Following last week's approval in the House, the Senate has also voted (92-6) to pass short-term extensions for the surface transportation law, SAFETEA-LU, as well as for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The extension of these programs will impact the NEMW region's transportation-related employment, aging infrastructure, and large network of public transit systems. The FAA's authorization will be extended for four months and the surface transportation authorization will be extended for six months. See full coverage in E&E Daily.
For more information, contact Fritz Ohrenschall, Research Associate at the Northeast-Midwest Institute.
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Webinar on Auto Communities and Workers Features New Office Director
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The Mayors Automotive Coalition, which consists of many leaders from the NEMW region, will host a webinar on September 28 from 2:00 - 3:00pm (EST). The webinar will feature the new Director of the Office of Recovery for Auto Communities and Workers and former Youngstown, OH Mayor Jay Williams. Director Williams just assumed this position and is very interested in hearing from auto communities about the challenges they face in rebuilding local economies. The webinar will also be an opportunity for local input on how his Office can work most effectively with local officials and stakeholders. Register for the event here and read more about the Coalition here.
For more information, contact Colleen Cain, Senior Policy Analyst at the Northeast-Midwest Institute.
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