Today NEMWI released an analysis providing economic estimates of the ecosystem goods and services unique to each Congressional District in the Delaware River Basin. NEMWI, with support from the William Penn Foundation, collaborated with University of Delaware researchers to develop the estimates.  Ecosystem goods are commodities (like water, fish, minerals, crops, and timber) and ecosystem services are functions (such as flood reduction, water and air filtration, nutrient cycling, and soil conservation) provided by wetlands, forests, farms, and open water.  It is often difficult to generate precise estimates of the ecosystem value, yet such estimates are critical to appreciating the value of ecosystem restoration and protection. Congress is considering the merits of the Delaware River Basin Conservation Act (Senate Bill 1266/HR 2325), which would establish a Delaware River Basin restoration program within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to identify, prioritize, and implement restoration and protection activities and management plans for the four-state Delaware Basin region (Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania), in coordination with federal, state, local, non-profit, and private partners. The ecosystem goods and services valuation is available on the Institute's Website.  

For more information contact Erik Hagen, Senior Policy Associate, Northeast-Midwest Institute. 

The Northeast-Midwest Institute, in coordination with Senator Carper and the House Delaware River Basin Task, is sponsoring a bicameral briefing on the economic importance of the ecological goods and services provided in the Delaware River Basin.  The briefing is designed to provide more information about the economic benefits of conservation as it relates to proposed legislation, The Delaware River Basin Conservation Act (H.R. 2325 and S. 1266).  The briefing will occur on Thursday, December 6 from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. in the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center, Congressional Meeting Room - South (CVC 217).  Speakers include: Dr. Gerald Kauffman from the University of Delaware; Rachel Dawson of The National Wildlife Federation; and a representative of the DRB business/water community (invited). The meeting will be open to the public.

For more information contact Erik Hagen, Senior Policy Associate, Northeast-Midwest Institute. 

In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, the importance of energy reliability and security is irrefutable. Last week, NEMWI released a new Note to the Coalitions: "New Energy for Older Cities: District Energy and Combined Heat and Power." The Note describes a compelling and highly reliable energy generation and distribution option for institutions within the region's older industrial cities: district energy (DE) and combined heat and power (CHP). DE and CHP are efficient approaches to energy generation and distribution that fit uniquely well with the needs, circumstances, and revitalization aspirations of older industrial cities. Specifically, DE/CHP can capitalize on the physical concentration of buildings, people, and services in urban cores, delivering much-needed cost-savings, a reliable energy supply, and environmental benefits to cities and their major institutions. Despite an improving policy context, those wishing to develop DE/CHP still face utility-related, financial, and policy obstacles. The Note summarizes key points from a larger report released last month, "New Energy for Older Cities: District Energy, Combined Heat and Power, and the NEMW Region's Older Industrial Cities." The Note makes federal policy recommendations based on existing research and a new case study of a DE provider in Cleveland, Ohio: the Medical Center Company.  

Last week, Illinois Congressman Aaron Schock led a sign-on letter to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Assistant Secretary Jo-Ellen Darcy urging the Corps to cancel its plans to cut off water currently flowing from the Missouri to support navigation on the Mississippi River. Over forty House members joined Mr. Schock in making the request, citing concerns  that low water levels in the Mississippi could result in  navigation closures, possibly costing the nation $300 million a day in lost economic activity. The flow from the Missouri River is scheduled to be shut off on or near November 22, potentially dropping the water level in the Mississippi upwards of three feet. The letter primarily raises navigation concerns, but Mr. Schock also notes concerns of other interests around the Mississippi. The greatest risk for closures is between St. Louis, MO and Cairo, IL.

For more information, contact Colin Wellenkamp, Director of the Mississippi River Cities & Towns Initiative at the Northeast-Midwest Institute.

The  New Partners for Smart Growth Conference will take place from February 7-9, 2013 in Kansas City, MO. The conference, the 12th in a series, focuses on a multi-disciplinary approach to implementing smart growth principles to help build safer, healthier, more economically viable, transit-oriented and pedestrian-friendly communities across the nation. A diverse group of organizations, agencies, foundations and companies have signed on in support of this effort, and will play a role in shaping long-term smart growth solutions that address all of these concerns. The upcoming conference will feature several events, including a half day pre-conference workshop, and local model tours. To get more details on the workshops, tours, and other conference sessions, and to register, visit www.newpartners.org. Also, connect with the conference on Facebook and Twitter @newpartnersconf to get real-time conference news.