Baker Administration Announces Emissions Reductions Strategy; Governor Raimondo Brings Jobs to Rhode Island

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The CONEG Connection - December 20, 2016

The Coalition of Northeastern Governors (CONEG) is a non-partisan association of the Northeast states. CONEG encourages intergovernmental cooperation on issues affecting the economic, social and environmental well-being of the Northeast. CONEG coordinates regional efforts by the Governors and their Administrations that benefit the Northeast.

NEWS FROM AROUND THE REGION:

CONNECTICUT

Governor Malloy and U.S. Rep. Courtney announce the creation of innovative apprenticeship program.

Inside Climate News asks if Connecticut’s Green Bank holds the secret to the future of clean energy.
Operation Fuel finds that although Connecticut’s energy affordability gap decreased for the past year, it still is substantial for low-income households.

MAINE

Governor LePage has signed an emergency proclamation to ensure that Maine residents are able to receive heating oil deliveries without delay.

After 15 years, Amtrak’s Downeaster service continues to grow.
An Orono, Maine company is awarded $100,000 from U.S. EPA to develop a bio-based, "green" ceiling tile that is durable, non-hazardous, and compostable and that provides higher insulation properties than currently available.
The Maine Department of Economic and Community Development launched a new public-private partnership with Live and Work in Maine to use the state’s tourism industry to identify and deliver a larger and more skilled workforce to Maine.

MASSACHUSETTS

Governor Baker's Administration releases regulations to reduce emissions.

Governor Baker and Lt. Governor Polito announced the award of $817,659 to assist 39 local farms to become more sustainable, improve efficiency and support alternative clean energy technologies.
Governor Baker and a delegation of leaders from the digital health, cybersecurity, public policy, and academia, returned from an Economic Development Mission to Israel where two significant agreements were signed solidifying the relationship between Massachusetts and Israel on cybersecurity and digital health.
The Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) voted to order 120 additional Red Line cars to create one standardized fleet that would increase the number of customers transported per hour by 30,000 and would make maintenance more efficient.
Nineteen new projects in the Economic Development Incentive Program (EDIP) are expected to create 626 net new jobs and retain 891 jobs across the Commonwealth, while leveraging $283 million in private investment.

Governor Baker and Lt. Governor Polito announced $11.4 million in Department of Energy Resources (DOER) Rapid LED Streetlight Conversion Program grants to help cities and towns convert traditional streetlights to energy efficient and long-lasting LED technology.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Governor Hassan will resign as Governor effective January 3, 2017, in advance of her swearing-in as a U.S. Senator. NH Senate President Chuck Morse will serve as acting Governor until Governor-elect Sununu’s inauguration on January 5.

NH Transportation Commissioner Victoria Sheehan discusses state’s infrastructure needs.
Governor-elect Sununu pledges to bring more natural gas to New Hampshire.

NEW YORK

Governor Cuomo announced another round of low-cost power allocations under his statewide ReCharge NY program that provides low-cost power to businesses and other entities that agree to retain or create jobs and commit to new capital spending.
Governor Cuomo announced the New NY Bridge, that will replace the Tappan Zee Bridge, is on track to open in 2018 and on budget at $3.98 billion.
Governor Cuomo unveiled the final 2016 Open Space Conservation Plan, which provides a blueprint for how the conservation and protection of open space can accomplish the state's environmental goals and improve the state's preparation and resiliency against climate change.
Governor Cuomo announced the award of more than $700 million in funding through the Regional Economic Development Council initiative that empowers community, business, and academic leaders to develop job creation and economic development plans tailored to each state region.
Governor Cuomo announced the availability of $3.6 million to address barriers to solar energy for low- to moderate-income residents.
Governor Cuomo announced the deployment of a fleet of 24 fully equipped Emergency Response Trailers to be stationed at key locations to enable first responders to respond swiftly and efficiently to crude oil transportation incidents.
NYSERDA is seeking expert consultants to help develop and execute the Offshore Wind Master Plan.
The New York State Wind Energy Auction hit an historic auction price of $42.4M.

RHODE ISLAND

Governor Raimondo joined state and city officials at a groundbreaking ceremony for the new transit-oriented Commons at Providence Station, which will contain 169 new housing units and is expected to create 225 direct jobs and 125 indirect jobs in construction.

The Providence Journal calls the new Innovation Center a “game changer.”

Governor Raimondo announced that global company Virgin Pulse will expand its operation in downtown Providence by more than 400 percent, creating 300 new jobs in the next five years.
The nation’s first commercial offshore wind farm begins operations off the coast of Rhode Island.

VERMONT

The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation released its first “Universal Recycling Status Report” that summarizes the status of recycling, composting, and food donation across the state, finding that trash disposal decreased 5% statewide from 2014 to 2015.
Governor-elect Scott continues to assemble his administration naming agency leaders for Labor and Commerce, as well as Public Safety and Natural Resources.
Governor-elect Scott outlines his transportation plans.

NEWS FROM WASHINGTON, DC:

A US and Canadian collaborative strategy is designed to strengthen the security and resilience of the electric grid.
Congress sent to President Obama legislation sponsored by Senator Leahy (D-VT) that will facilitate air travel and passenger rail service between the U.S. and Canada.

The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials and the American Association of Port Authorities released The State of Freight II – Implementing the FAST Act and Beyond which will serve as a blueprint for state DOTs, Congress and the new Administration to address the country’s critical freight infrastructure needs.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has released a Reliability Primer that explains the fundamental concepts and functions of the bulk power system and FERC’s role in overseeing the reliability of the electric grid.
Communities in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island will receive technical assistance from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities program to pursue development strategies that advance clean air, clean water and economic development.
EPA is getting ready to launch the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act, a new federal loan and guarantee program to accelerate investment in the nation’s water infrastructure.
The Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships has compiled a summary of the latest action by northeast states on energy efficiency policy.

The U.S. Interior Department auctioned off 79,000 acres offshore New York for wind energy development.
DONG Energy and Eversource Energy are seeking to develop a wind farm off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard that, if approved, could generate enough electricity to power 1 million New England homes.
The Brookings Institution has released a report indicating that more than 30 states – including the CONEG states - have “decoupled” their economic growth and carbon emissions, showing that economic growth does not inevitably require emissions increases.

The Federal Railroad Administration has released the Tier 1 Final Environmental Impact Statement for NEC FUTURE that provides a Preferred Alternative for future growth on the Northeast Corridor.

The Silvio O. Conte National Wildlife Refuge aims to increase acreage to support and sustain conservation efforts.
In the past two weeks, President-elect Trump has chosen four more Cabinet officials:
Energy: Former Texas Governor Rick Perry
Interior: Former Navy SEAL Commander Ryan Zinke who just completed his first term as U.S. Representative from Montana.
Labor: CKE Restaurants CEO Andrew Puzder
State: Rex Tillerson, President and CEO of Exxon Mobil

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