Modernizing the Midwest Grid –
Conference
The Midwest Modernizing
the Grid Summit will convene on November 15-16 in
Columbus,
Ohio. The conference, part of the
Department of Energy’s Modern Grid Initiative, brings together over
100 stakeholders to identify issues unique to the midwestern
electricity grid, to define what a modern grid would look like, and
to explore how to develop it. Contact: Diane DeVaul at the
Northeast-Midwest Institute (202/464-4014).
Viral Hemorrhagic
Septicemia in
Great Lakes Fish –
Briefing
The
Great Lakes Task Force on Monday, November 13, will host a
congressional-staff briefing by the Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service (APHIS) on its emergency order on viral
hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS) and the Great
Lakes fishery. Also available will be
information from states and other impacted stakeholders. The November 13 session will
begin at 3:00
pm in room 2318 of the
Rayburn
House
Office
Building.
Chesapeake Bay Funding Priorities –
Letter
The co-chairs of the
Congressional Chesapeake Bay Watershed Task Force recently asked the
Office of Management and Budget to consider specific funding levels
in the president’s fiscal 2008 budget proposal. The letter – signed by Reps.
Wayne Gilchrest (R-MD), Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA), Tom Davis
(R-VA), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) – highlighted programs within
the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Interior,
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, as well as
assistance initiatives to farmers. Click here
to read the letter.
Contact: Peter Marx with the
Northeast-Midwest Institute (202/464-4008).
Gross State Product Tables
The Northeast-Midwest
Institute has updated state-by-state web tables on gross state
product (GSP), also called gross domestic product by state.
The tables for the latest data (2005) show state totals, levels for
all 18 of the 20 major sectors, and each sector’s share of total
GSP. For table listings and links, go to http://www.nemw.org/data.htm#business.
Energy Efficiency Funding --
Letters
Members of the
Northeast-Midwest Senate and Congressional Coalition are seeking
signatures on letters that request appropriation conferees to
support key energy-efficiency programs, including the Weatherization
Assistance Program, the State Energy Program, the Energy Information
Administration, Building Technologies programs, the Federal Energy
Management Program, the Industrial Technologies Program,
Clean
Cities, and the Distributed
Energy Program (including fuel cells). These critical
initiatives help address soaring energy costs, make energy markets
more efficient, improve the energy infrastructure, advance effective
technologies, and promote cleaner power.
The letters are led by
Senators Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Jack Reed (D-RI), Arlen Specter
(R-PA), Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), and Robert Menendez (D-NJ), and Reps.
Michael Castle (R-DE), Mark Udall (D-CO), Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY),
and Bart Stupak (D-MI). The signature
deadlines are November
14.
Contacts: Ari Strauss with the
Northeast-Midwest Senate Coalition (202/224-0606) and Katie Waszkiewicz
at the Northeast-Midwest Congressional Coalition
(202/226-5181)
Manufacturing Extension Partnership –
Letter
House members are
circulating a letter supporting the Manufacturing Extension
Partnership (MEP), a program within the Department of Commerce that
assists small and medium-sized firms. The letter encourages
congressional conferees to support the Senate’s $106 million
appropriation for fiscal 2007. The signature deadline is
Tuesday, November 14.
Contact: Katie Waszkiewicz
with the Northeast-Midwest Congressional Coalition and Manufacturing
Task Force (202/226-5181).
