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HIGHLIGHTS
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LIHEAP
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Great Lakes Regional Collaboration
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Funding for Energy Efficiency
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Electricity Reports
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Support the Institute
LIHEAP
With a concerted effort by members of the
Northeast-Midwest Congressional Coalition, the House, early on Monday
morning, approved an additional $2 billion in fiscal 2006 dollars for
LIHEAP within the defense appropriations bill, as well as an additional $1
billion in fiscal 2007 dollars within the reconciliation bill.
Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Susan Collins (R-ME), co-chairs of the
Northeast-Midwest Senate Coalition, also advanced a successful motion on
December 15 to instruct budget-reconciliation conferees to add $2.92
billion for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP); the
Senate vote was 63-28. After accounting for a 1-percent rescission,
LIHEAP appropriations for fiscal 2006 now stand at $2.475 billion in
regular funding and $1.666 billion in contingency funding.
Contact: Ari Strauss with
the Northeast-Midwest Senate Coalition (202/224-0606) and Lisa Mark with the
Northeast-Midwest Congressional Coalition (202/226-5181).
Great Lakes Collaboration
While signing the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration last
week, leaders of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative and
Council of Great Lakes Governors asked President Bush to adopt a series of
near-term actions that could substantially improve the long-term ability to
protect and restore the Great Lakes.
The near-term proposals address invasive species, coastal health,
contaminated sediments, toxic pollutants, habitat and species, non-point
source pollution, indicators, sustainability, and tribal issues.
The letter was signed by Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, Wisconsin
Governor Jim Doyle, and Ohio Governor Bob Taft. Contact: Dave Ullrich with the Great
Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative (312/201-4516).
Funding for Energy Efficiency
Senators Jack Reed (D-RI), Olympia Snowe (R-ME), and
Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) are requesting signatures on a letter asking President
Bush to support full funding for energy efficiency and renewable energy
programs in his fiscal 2007 budget. Fully funding energy efficiency and
renewable energy programs at the levels authorized in the Energy Policy Act
of 2005 is the first step in reducing our demand for fossil fuels and is
currently our nation's best means of addressing a secure energy
future. The letter’s signature deadline is Thursday, December
22. Contact: Kris
Sarri with Senator Reed (202/224-4661).
Electricity Reports
Presentations from last week’s Capitol Hill
briefing – “Recycled Energy: The Local Energy
Solution” – are available at www.nemw.org/energy_der.htm.
The Institute’s updated guidebook – “Combined Heat and
Power Education and Outreach Guide to State and Federal Government”
– is available at www.nemw.org/CHPguide.rtf.
Support the Institute
If you’re planning end-of-the-year contributions,
please consider supporting the Northeast-Midwest Institute. Your
contribution will help advance the region’s economic vitality and
environmental quality. Federal employees also can contribute through
the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), the nation’s largest workplace
giving campaign, by entering CFC code #0851 on
your pledge card during the annual fund drive. Thank you.
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