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HIGHLIGHTS
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Reliable Energy Data – Briefing
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LIHEAP – Letters
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Community Development Block Grant
– Letter
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Aquatic Invasive Species – Letter
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Brownfield Redevelopment – Letter
Reliable Energy
Data – Briefing
For producers and consumers to adjust effectively to
changes in supply and demand, energy markets need accurate and timely
data. Unfortunately, the Energy Information Administration’s
data analysts are not able to keep pace with rapidly-changing markets, new
players, new fuels, and growing demand. Budget shortfalls recently
forced EIA to cancel two crude oil surveys that collect domestic and
international data, and the agency has had to set a goal of only 70 percent
reliability for other key surveys.
A Capitol Hill briefing on
Thursday, May 12, will focus on the need for more reliable and timely
energy data. Speakers include: Dr. David Wyss, senior economist,
Standard and Poor’s; David Aschenbach, senior vice president,
Moody’s; Matthew Simmons, chairman, Simmons and Company
International; and Robert McNally, Tudor Investments. The event is
sponsored by the Northeast-Midwest Institute, Environmental and Energy
Study Institute, Northeast-Midwest Senate Coalition, and Senator Jeff
Bingaman. The National Petrochemical and Refineries Association will
provide refreshments.
The May 12 briefing will begin at
2:30 pm in 364 Dirksen Senate Office
Building. Contact: Diane
DeVaul at the Northeast-Midwest Institute (202/464-4009).
LIHEAP – Letters
Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Jack Reed (D-RI),
co-chairs of the Northeast-Midwest Senate Coalition, are inviting senators
to join them on a letter requesting $3 billion in regular Low Income Home
Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funds for fiscal 2006 and advanced
funding for fiscal 2007. LIHEAP is a vital safety net for our nation’s
low-income households, for whom home energy costs are unaffordable.
The signature deadline is May 13. Contact: Kris Sarri at the
Northeast-Midwest Senate Coalition (202/224-0606).
Reps. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Edward Markey (D-MA), Bernard
Sanders (I-VT), Steven LaTourette (R-OH), Robert Simmons (R-CT), and
Charles Bass (R-NH) are inviting members to join them on a similar LIHEAP
letter in the House. The signature deadline is May 13.
Contacts: Jamie Wise with
Rep. DeLauro (202/225-2262) or Lisa Mark with the
Northeast-Midwest Congressional Coalition (202/226-5181).
Community Development Block Grants -- Letter
Reps. James Oberstar (D-MN) and
Rob Simmons (R-CT) are circulating a letter asking appropriators to provide
level funding – $4.732 billion – for the Community Development
Block Grant program and adequate funding for other HUD programs in fiscal
year 2006. The Department of Housing and Urban Development’s
(HUD) community development and housing programs build home ownership,
support neighborhood revitalization and increase access to affordable
housing. The signature deadline is Thursday, May 12. Contact:
Lisa Mark with the
Northeast-Midwest Congressional Coalition (202/226-5181).
Aquatic Invasive Species – Letter
Senators Carl Levin (D-MI) and Susan Collins (R-ME) are
circulating letters to four appropriations subcommittees in support of
programs to address the problem of aquatic invasive species. Invasive
species harm ecosystems, disrupt food chains, crowd out native organisms,
and threaten human health. Many agencies' expertise are required to contain
and control exotic species infestations effectively: the Coast Guard
implements the ballast management program; the Fish and Wildlife Service
protects inland waters; the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
manages the interface with resource-based industry; and the Corps of
Engineers investigates engineering tools for species control. The deadline
for signing onto this letter is May 12th. Contact: Joy Mulinex with the Great
Lakes Task Force (202/224-1211).
Brownfield Redevelopment -- Letter
Senators Lincoln Chafee (R-RI), James Jeffords (I-VT),
and Carl Levin (D-MI) are seeking signatures on a letter supporting $250
million in appropriations for the Environmental Protection Agency’s
Brownfields Program. The initiative provides states and communities
with resources to assess, cleanup, and redevelop brownfields. Since
1995, it has leveraged more than $6.5 billion – creating
approximately 25,000 new jobs – from both the private and public
sectors to facilitate cleanup and redevelopment projects. The
signature deadline is Friday, May 13. Contact: Alice Yates with the Senate
Smart Growth Task Force (202/224-2683).
Calendar | Media Links | Reports/Periodicals
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Institute
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Washington DC 20003
Ph. 202 544 5200
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