GLIN==> Northeast-Midwest Weekly Update -- 20 April 2009

Weekly Update
20 April 2009
 
*	New Brownfields State Bond Financing Report
*	Brownfields Coalition Retools Proposals for Reauthorization of
the EPA Brownfields Program
*	Brownfields Tax Credit Introduced
*	Senate Letter Supports Funding for the EPA Brownfields Program
*	Senate Letter Supports LIHEAP Funding at $5.1 Billion
*	Senate Letter Supports Full Manufacturing Extension Partnership
Funding
*	Staff Announcements
*	Reclaiming Vacant Properties Conference
 
 
New Brownfields State Bond Financing Report
 
The Northeast-Midwest Institute has just released a new brownfields
report.  The Cleanup War Chest:  State Bond Financing for Environmental
Initiatives and Brownfields Redevelopment
<http://www.nemw.org/CleanupWarChest.pdf>  details some of the largest
state-level financial commitments to brownfield remediation and
environmental protection.  The report analyzes major environmental bond
commitments of eight different states, and explores opportunities for
funding future large-scale environmental bond programs.
 
Contact Greg Lewis
<mailto:glewis at nemw.org?subject=Brownfields%20War%20Chest%20Report>
(202/464-4005) or Evans Paull
<mailto:epaull at nemw.org?subject=Brownfields%20War%20Chest%20Report>
(202/464-4004) at the Northeast-Midwest Institute.
 
 
Brownfields Coalition Retools Proposals for
Reauthorization of the EPA Brownfields Program
 
The National Brownfields Coalition issued new and revised proposals for
reauthorizing the EPA Brownfields program, now in an abbreviated
<http://www.nemw.org/CoalitionReauthorizationPriorities2009.pdf>
prioritized list, and in a comprehensive
<http://www.nemw.org/CoalitionReauthorizationComprehensive2009.pdf>
format.  The Coalition is giving priority to program changes that will:
 
*	enable reaching more sites by providing higher authorization
levels, higher per project ceilings, and eliminating needless site
eligibility hurdles;
*	improve effectiveness at the local level by offering
multi-purpose grants, and making non-profits eligible for site
assessment and revolving loan fund programs;
*	encourage sustainability by authorizing new pilot programs for
sustainable and alternative energy re-use of brownfields, and pilots for
waterfront sites; and
*	remove barriers to local government acquisition of mothballed
sites by providing greater liability protection for local government
acquisitions.
 
The Coalition has also pressed the case for higher appropriations in
letters to both House and Senate appropriations committees supporting
both the EPA Brownfields Program (House letter
<http://www.nemw.org/EPABrownfieldsHouseInteriorEnvSubAppropFY10BFCoalit
ion.pdf> , Senate letter
<http://www.nemw.org/EPABrownfieldsSenateInteriorEnvSubAppropFY10BFCoali
tion.pdf> ) and HUD brownfields-related programs (House letter
<http://www.nemw.org/HUDBrownfieldsHouseTransHUDSubAppropsFY10BFCoalitio
n.pdf> , Senate letter
<http://www.nemw.org/HUDBrownfieldsSenateTransHUDSubAppropsFY10BFCoaliti
on.pdf> ).
 
Contact Evans Paull
<mailto:epaull at nemw.org?subject=Brownfields%20War%20Chest%20Report>
(202/464-4004) at the Northeast-Midwest Institute.
 
 
Brownfields Tax Credit Introduced
 
Representatives Michael Turner (R-OH) and Betty Sutton (D-OH) introduced
H.R. 1724 <http://www.nemw.org/hr1724.pdf>  to create a brownfields tax
credit for up to 50 percent of qualified remediation expenditures.
Qualified remediation expenditures include site testing, remediation of
hazardous substances, and demolition, if the demolition costs are
connected to cleanup.  There would be a $1 billion cap on the program,
and credits would be distributed to states proportionately according to
population.  The states would choose the sites to receive the credits,
but they must use certain criteria including poverty, local enterprise
zone designation, whether the site is in the CBD, the extent of the
remediation, and the employment that will be generated by the
redevelopment.
 
Contact Evans Paull
<mailto:epaull at nemw.org?subject=Brownfields%20Tax%20Credit>
(202/464-4004) at the Northeast-Midwest Institute.
 
 
Senate Letter Supports Funding for the EPA Brownfields Program
 
Senator Carl Levin (D-MI) is sending a letter
<http://www.nemw.org/EPABrownfieldsDearColleagueAppropFY10Senate.pdf>
to the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations
Subcommittee requesting $250 million for EPA's Brownfields Program.
 
Cities, towns, and rural communities across the country are struggling
to assess and redevelop over 450,000 brownfields sites nationwide.
These sites can be a stumbling block to broader economic revitalization
efforts that are especially important during these difficult economic
times.  Cleanup and redevelopment of vacant and underused properties
facilitates job growth, supports the local tax base, regenerates
communities, and improves and protects the environment.  The deadline
for signing the letter is Monday, May 4.
 
The corresponding letter in the House
<http://www.nemw.org/EPABrownfieldsDearColleagueAppropFY10House.pdf> ,
led by Representatives Jim Oberstar (D-MN) and Michael Turner (R-OH),
has been finalized.
 
Contact Alice Yates
<mailto:Alice_Yates at levin.senate.gov?subject=EPA%20Brownfields%20Letter>
(202/224-2683) in Senator Levin's office for more information, or to
sign the letter.
 
 
Senate Letter Supports LIHEAP Funding at $5.1 Billion
 
Northeast-Midwest Senate Coalition Co-Chairs Jack Reed (D-RI) and
Olympia Snowe (R-ME) are sending a letter to the Labor-HHS-Education
Appropriations Subcommittee requesting $5.1 billion for the Low Income
Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for fiscal 2010.  LIHEAP is the
only federal program that helps low-income households and seniors with
their energy bills.  This funding is vital for low income families
facing high energy bills during both the cold winter and hot summer.
The Fiscal 2009 Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and
Continuing Appropriations Act included $5.1 billion for LIHEAP - the
highest funding level ever for the program - allowing states to serve
millions more families.
 
Contact Chris Hickling
<mailto:chris_hickling at reed.senate.gov?subject=LIHEAP%20Letter>
(202/224-0606) at the Northeast-Midwest Senate Coalition.
 
 
Letter Supports Full Manufacturing Extension Partnership Funding
 
Senate Manufacturing Task Force Co-Chairs Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) and
Olympia Snowe (R-ME), and Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI) are sending a letter
to the Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS) Appropriations Subcommittee
supporting the fully authorized amount of $131.8 million for the
Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Program in the fiscal 2010 CJS
Appropriations Bill.  The MEP is the only federal program dedicated to
providing technical support and services to small- and medium-sized
manufacturers.  Local MEP centers in every state improve competitiveness
in the global marketplace; support greater supply chain integration; and
provide access to information, training and technologies that improve
efficiency, productivity, and profitability.
 
Contact Chris Hickling
<mailto:chris_hickling at reed.senate.gov?subject=MEP%20Letter>
(202/224-0606) at the Northeast-Midwest Senate Coalition.
 
 
Staff Announcements
 
The Northeast-Midwest Institute is pleased to announce two additions to
its Water and Watershed Program staff.  Mark Gorman has been hired to
work on Midwest Watershed issues, including the Upper Mississippi River
and Great Lakes.  Mr. Gorman has a Masters in Biological Oceanography
from the University of South Florida and a Masters in Systems Ecology
from Kent State University.  Mr. Gorman previously served as the
Director of the Northwest Office of the Pennsylvania Environmental
Council.  He also worked for the Pennsylvania Department of
Environmental Protection from 1982 to 2004, holding a variety of
positions.
 
Rachel Dawson has been hired to work on Mid-Atlantic Watershed issues,
including the Delaware River Basin and Chesapeake Bay.  Ms. Dawson
previously worked as a Conservation Policy Specialist at Ducks
Unlimited, and has a Masters in Environmental and Natural Resource
Policy from George Washington University.  She will start at the
Institute in early May.
 
The new policy analysts, along with Great Lakes Task Force Legislative
Director, Joy Mulinex, will comprise an integrated and potent Water and
Watershed Program within the Northeast-Midwest Institute led by Senior
Policy Analyst Allegra Cangelosi.
 
 
Reclaiming Vacant Properties Conference
 
On June 1-3, the National Vacant Properties Campaign
<http://www.vacantproperties.org/> , with principal planning partners
the Metro Louisville Government <http://www.louisvilleky.gov/>  and the 
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
<http://www.stlouisfed.org/default.cfm> , are sponsoring the Reclaiming
Vacant Properties:  Building Leadership to Restore Communities
conference in Louisville, Kentucky.
 
With the rising number of foreclosures, blight from vacant properties
confronts communities across the country, and severely threatens
neighborhood stability.  Cities of all shapes and sizes are searching
for innovative, cost effective strategies to abate these public
nuisances, and transform vacant properties into catalysts for
revitalization.  The conference offers an opportunity to share
successful programs and projects taking place across the country, and
discuss new initiatives to change federal and state policies that affect
our cities and towns.  Click here
<http://reclaimingvacantproperties.org/>  to register for the
conference.
 
Contact Jennifer Leonard
<mailto:jleonard at smartgrowthamerica.org?subject=Louisville%20Conference>
(202/207-3355 x23) at the National Vacant Properties Campaign.
 
 
Calendar <http://www.nemw.org/calendar.htm>  | Media Links
<http://www.nemw.org/media.htm>  | Reports/Periodicals
<http://www.nemw.org/reports.htm> 
 
Northeast-Midwest Institute <http://www.nemw.org/> 
50 F Street NW Suite 950
Washington DC 20001
202.544.5200
 
Email Glenn Starnes <mailto:glennstarnes at nemw.org?subject=Unsubscribe>
with comments or to unsubscribe from this mailing list.
 
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