GLIN==> Northeast-Midwest Weekly Update -- 17 September 2001

[Glenn Starnes <gstarnes@nemw.org>]

H E A D L I N E S

*  International Ballast Technology Investment Fair
*  Emergency LIHEAP Funds
*  Defense Spending in the Northeast-Midwest
*  Electricity Interconnections
*  Weatherization and Water Infrastructure


INTERNATIONAL BALLAST TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENT FAIR
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        The Northeast-Midwest Institute and Lake Carriers’ Association will host the International Ballast Technology Investment Fair on Friday, September 21, at Chicago’s Navy Pier.  With funding from the Great Lakes Protection Fund, the event will highlight and advance new markets for on-board ballast water treatment technologies.  It will attract investors, ship owners, technology developers, and governors.

        Invasive species have become a global threat to the economy, environment, and public health.  Preventing their unintentional transfer through ships’ ballast water will soon be a primary environmental objective of governments around the world.

        CONTACT:  Matt Little at the Northeast-Midwest Institute (544-5200).


EMERGENCY LIHEAP FUNDS
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        Thirty-two senators from the Northeast-Midwest Coalition last week sent a letter asking the Bush Administration to release $300 million in emergency funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

        The Northeast-Midwest House Coalition is circulating a similar letter asking for the distribution of the already-approved LIHEAP funds.  This letter is a follow-up to one sent on August 14, as well as an August 31 Coalition meeting with Office of Management and Budget and White House officials.  The deadline for signature is Friday, September 17.

        CONTACT:  Olwen Huxley at the Northeast-Midwest Congressional Coalition (226-9497).


DEFENSE SPENDING IN THE NORTHEAST-MIDWEST
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        The Northeast-Midwest receives far less in Defense Department spending on a per-capita basis than the rest of the country and captures a greater share of the nation’s non-Defense expenditures than its Defense dollars, according to a new paper by the Northeast-Midwest Institute.  The fiscal 2000 numbers show that the 18 northeastern and midwestern states together received $484 in Defense spending per-capita, compared to $992 per capita for the South and West.  The report is available at www.nemw.org/defspend2000.pdf.

        CONTACT:  Matt Kane at the Northeast-Midwest Institute (313/582-6244).


ELECTRICITY INTERCONNECTIONS
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        Northeast-Midwest leaders are advancing legislation to facilitate the transmission and distribution connections between electricity generators and utilities.  Building off previously-introduced S. 933 and H.R. 1945, the new language represents agreements between distributed generators, particularly combined heat and power producers, and electric utilities.  Northeast-Midwest leaders hope the legislation will be included within pending bills on electric industry restructuring by the Senate and House authorizing committees.

        CONTACTS:  Suzanne Watson and Susan Freedman at the Northeast-Midwest Institute (544-5200).


WEATHERIZATION AND WATER INFRASTRUCTURE
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        The Northeast-Midwest Congressional Coalition continues to circulate for signature letters to appropriation conferees requesting funds for the Weatherization Program and water infrastructure initiatives.

        CONTACT:  Olwen Huxley at the Northeast-Midwest Institute (544-5200).