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The CONEG Connection     May 12, 2017

CONEG  Staff Announcement

CONEG is pleased to welcome Lana Bluege to the team. In her role as Regional Program Coordinator, Lana will be managing CONEG committees involving the New England Governors/Eastern Canadian Premiers (NEG/ECP) and the Northeast Environmental Commissioners (NECOE).

News from the States

Connecticut Governor and Mrs. Malloy announce registration now open for reimagining justice conference. CTDOT initiates planning for the future of the New Haven Line and the entire statewide rail system. CTDOT has completed the Central Connecticut Rail Study (CCRS) to identify necessary improvements to the freight rail line between Berlin and Waterbury including potential passenger rail and improved transit service options. Governor Malloy is re-appointed by President Trump to serve as co-chair of the Council of Governors, a bipartisan group of ten governors responsible for addressing matters of national security, homeland defense, synchronization and integration of state and federal military activities in the United States, and matters of mutual interest pertaining to the National Guard.

Maine Senator Collins announces omnibus bill contains significant funding to combat heroin and opioid crisis.  LePage says he wants to put a cap on energy costs for industrial users. (Portland Press Herald)

Massachusetts Governor Baker signs $290 million transportation funding bill. Governor Baker releases statement on passage of American Healthcare Act. Drought officially over in Massachusetts. (MassLIVE) White House puts advisory panel for Cape preserve on hold. (Boston Globe)

New Hampshire The New Hampshire Coastal Adaptation Workgroup launches new website to provide information about coastal adaptation projects in New Hampshire and how to reduce the risk of damage from coastal hazards like flooding from storms and sea-level rise. U.S. EPA gives special recognition to NH Department of Environmental Services programs and staff. Main Street Project wins national transportation infrastructure award. (Concord Monitor)

New York Governor Cuomo releases statement on U.S. House passage of American Health Care Act. Governor Cuomo announces that green policies at state agencies saved New York taxpayers $19.6 million over five years while substantially reducing paper use and waste and increasing recycling. Governor Cuomo announces several new administration appointments. The New York Green Bank closed a record number of new transactions during the first quarter of 2017. New York Metropolitan Transit Authority’s new Climate Adaptation Task Force Resiliency Report details how climate change affects public transit projects and how MTA is preparing for sea level rise, storm surges and other climate-related dangers in its region. Governor Cuomo and Governor Christie Issue Joint Letter Calling for Private Operator for Penn Station.

Rhode Island Governor Raimondo announces that six Rhode Island companies have been selected to receive Innovation Vouchers intended to stimulate innovation, facilitate in-state partnerships and give Rhode Island a competitive edge. Read Governor Raimondo’s statement on news that Block Island Power Company has transferred the island's electrical system from diesel generators to energy generated from offshore wind turbines. OER recognizes public sector for renewable energy, energy efficiency achievements at Lead By Example Awards.

Vermont Governor Scott and Congressional delegation announce $2 million federal grant to increase access to opioid misuse prevention, treatment and recovery services for Vermonters. Gov. Scott and Vt. congressional delegation decry GOP health care bill. (Burlington Free Press)

News from Around the Region  and Washington, DC

Energy & Environment Energy Information Administration’s Today in Energy: Natural gas has displaced coal in the Northeast’s generation mix over the past 10 years. Most U.S. Nuclear Plants Were Built Between 1970 And 1990, includes map of plant location and nuclear generation capacity of lower 48 states. Utility-scale solar has grown rapidly over the past five years. Governor Malloy and the Governors of eleven other states sent a letter to President Trump urging him to keep the U.S. in the Paris Climate Agreement. A new report from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce asks What If...Pipelines Aren’t Built Into The Northeast?; concludes that lack of additional pipeline infrastructure would cost over 78,000 jobs and $7.6 billion in GDP by 2020. More than 1,000 companies signed a letter to Congress, EPA and DOE urging support for EPA’s ENERGY STAR program that was recently targeted for elimination under President Trump’s FY2018 budget proposal.  (Alliance to Save Energy news release) A letter signed by 1,292 organizations has been sent to Congress urging them to protect funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) in FY2018. California is about to revolutionize climate policy … again. (Vox)

Transportation Amtrak President and CEO Wick Moorman announces New York Penn Station improvement initiatives.

Administration President Trump nominates individuals to Interior, FEMA and HHS. President Trump announces FERC and DOT nominations.

Upcoming Events June 14-15: Reimagining Justice Conference, Hartford, CT June 26-27: EIA 2017 Energy Conference, Washington, DC

Did You Know?  Wind turbines provide 8% of U.S. generating capacity, more than any other renewable source Source: Energy Information Administration

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.  Subscribe here.