| Northeast-Midwest Institute Weekly Update |
|
|
H.R. 4153 Introduced to Reduce EPA Role in Chesapeake Bay
| On March 7, NEMW Coalition Member Tim Holden (PA) and Rep. Bob Goodlatte (VA) introduced legislation (H.R. 4153) to limit the regulatory role of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in restoring the Chesapeake Bay, particularly with regard to the current effort to establish a Bay-wide Total Maximum Daily Load. The bill requires increased cost analyses on EPA activities and a review of the model used to determine pollution limits for the Bay watershed. Read about this and more in the March installment of the Mid-Atlantic Watersheds Update.
For more information, contact Colleen Cain , Senior Policy Analyst at NEMWI.
|
|
HUD Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities Budget Discussion Today at 12:30
| | The U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development will hold a stakeholder call today, April 2, at 12:30pm (EST) to discuss recent developments regarding the Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities (OSHC). HUD's proposed FY13 Budget restores 100 million for the Sustainable Communities Initiative, which creates incentives for communities to develop comprehensive housing and transportation plans to achieve sustainable development, reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, and increase affordable housing near public transit. On this call, Peter Kovar, Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs, and Shelley Poticha, Director of OSHC, will discuss legislative and programmatic developments. There will also be time for questions from callers. Please RSVP via this link. The call-in number is (866) 847-7863 and the confirmation number is 243418.
For more information, contact Colleen Cain, Senior Policy Analyst at NEMWI.
|
|
Great Lakes and Offshore Wind Energy
| The Obama Administration and the governors of Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, and Pennsylvania signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will serve to efficiently and responsibly develop offshore wind energy in the Great Lakes. The MOU will allow for collaborative efforts between federal and state agencies to review proposed offshore wind projects, develop an action plan establishing priorities, and recommend steps for the evaluation of such projects. According to the Administration's press release, unlocking Great Lakes' offshore wind energy resources could produce more than 700 gigawatts of energy, which is roughly one-fifth of total offshore wind potential in the U.S. Additionally, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory estimates that each gigawatt of offshore wind installed could produce enough electricity to power 300,000 homes.
For more information, contact Leah Konrady, Director of the Great Lakes Washington Program.
|
|
Transportation Authorization Extension
| On Thursday, March 29, the House and the Senate passed a 90-day extension of the authorization for current federal transportation programs. This extension prevents transportation programs from expiring on March 31, giving the legislators until late June to continue working on a transportation bill. Both houses will be on recess until April 16.
For more information, contact Beth Zgoda, Policy Analyst at NEMWI.
|
|
FEMA Fire Prevention and Safety Grants Application Period Open
| Localities can submit applications to FEMA for "Fire Prevention and Safety Grants (FP&S)" from April 2-27. These grants support projects to enhance safety of the public and firefighters from fire and related hazards. The goal is to target high-risk populations, reduce injury, and prevent death. The funds can be used for education/awareness, code enforcement, fire and arson investigation, research, or other studies. FP&S grants are part of the "Assistance to Firefighters" program within FEMA. The program was funded at $404 million in FY2011 and $338 million in FY2012. The President's budget calls for $420 million to be spent on the program in FY2013. The application period that is open in April 2012 is from the FY2011 allocation which means the awards allotted this cycle will be larger either in number of awardees or amounts than what can be expected for the next application cycle due to the difference in funding amounts. Visit FEMA's website to learn more and apply.
For more information, contact Colin Wellenkamp, Director, Mississippi River Cities & Towns Initiative at NEMWI. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
