GLIN==> Northeast-Midwest Weekly Update -- 27 April 2009

Weekly Update
27 April 2009
 
*	New Brownfields Policy Research Newsletter
*	Congressional Field Hearing in Philadelphia
*	Senate Letter Supports Increased Funding For Water
Infrastructure
*	Great Lakes Briefing
*	Senate Letter Supports Funding for the EPA Brownfields Program
*	Senate Letter Supports Full Manufacturing Extension Partnership
Funding
*	Senate Letter Supports LIHEAP Funding at $5.1 Billion
*	Reclaiming Vacant Properties Conference
 
 
New Brownfields Policy Research Newsletter
 
The Northeast-Midwest Institute has released the latest Brownfields
Policy Research newsletter <http://www.nemw.org/BFNews0904.pdf> .  The
featured article covers the most recent Northeast-Midwest report:  The
Cleanup War Chest:  State Bond Financing for Environmental Initiatives
and Brownfields Redevelopment.  The report details some of the largest
state-level financial commitments to brownfield remediation and
environmental protection.  The April newsletter also covers The National
Brownfields Coalition's new and revised proposals for reauthorizing the
EPA Brownfields program, as well as the new tax credit (H.R. 1724)
introduced in the House by Representatives Michael Turner (R-OH) and
Betty Sutton (D-OH).
 
Contact Evans Paull
<mailto:epaull at nemw.org?subject=Brownfields%20Newsletter>
(202/464-4004) at the Northeast-Midwest Institute.
 
 
Congressional Field Hearing in Philadelphia
 
The Northeast-Midwest Institute, in coordination with the
Northeast-Midwest Congressional Coalition, is organizing and sponsoring
a Congressional Field Hearing to be held at the Philadelphia Academy of
Natural Sciences <http://www.ansp.org/>  on May 18, from 9 AM to 11:30
AM.  The field hearing, Vibrant Communities, Healthy Waters, and Job
Opportunities:  Exploring Green Infrastructure and Role of Federal
Policy, will look into the role of federal policy in advancing green
infrastructure as a means of improving water and air quality, enhancing
the livability of dense urban areas, and creating green collar job
opportunities.
 
The City of Philadelphia is fully engaged in urban greening projects
that help control storm water and reduce urban heat island effects.
Experts at the field hearing will demonstrate how taking advantage of
every opportunity and resource in implementing greener, more natural,
infrastructure can significantly improve the economic standing of
communities.  The hearing will discuss potential opportunities for
Congress to make the successes of Philadelphia replicable in other
cities and towns.
 
Contact Greg Lewis
<mailto:glewis at nemw.org?subject=Philadelphia%20Field%20Hearing>
(202/464-4005) at the Northeast-Midwest Institute.
 
 
Senate Letter Supports Increased Funding for Water Infrastructure
 
Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Kit Bond (R-MO) are seeking co-signers on
a letter requesting that the Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior,
Environment, and Related Agencies increase funding for the Clean Water
State Revolving Funds (CWSRF) and the Drinking Water State Revolving
Funds (DWSRF).
 
Congress made a large investment in the State Revolving Funds in the
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, including $4 billion for the
CWSRF and $2 billion for the DWSRF.  This request - $2.4 billion for the
CWSRF and $1.5 billion for the DWSRF - builds upon that investment and
will help narrow the large gap between water infrastructure needs and
spending.
 
Contact Chris Hickling
<mailto:chris_hickling at reed.senate.gov?subject=MEP%20Letter>
(202/224-0606) at the Northeast-Midwest Senate Coalition.
 
 
Great Lakes Briefing
 
Next week, officials from the International Joint Commission (IJC) will
brief congressional staff regarding their work on the St. Clair River
system as part of the larger IJC International Upper Great Lakes Study.
For the past two years, more than 100 Canadian and U.S. scientists and
engineers have worked together to address important issues related to
the St. Clair River system that connects Lake Michigan and Lake Huron to
Lake Erie.  The final report of the study is expected early in 2012.
 
Contact Joy Mulinex
<mailto:joy_mulinex at levin.senate.gov?subject=Great%20Lakes%20Briefing>
(202/224-1211) at the Great Lakes Task Force.
 
 
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 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.  The deadline for signing
the letter is Tuesday, May 5.
 
Contact Chris Hickling
<mailto:chris_hickling at reed.senate.gov?subject=MEP%20Letter>
(202/224-0606) at the Northeast-Midwest Senate Coalition.
 
 
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.
 
 
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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