Governors Deliver State of the States; Northeast Warming More Rapidly; No quorum at FERC to approve projects

Website About Us Governors Programs Correspondence

_________________________________________________________________________________

The CONEG Connection - January 31, 2017

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.

Last week Governor Charlie Baker of Massachusetts delivered his State of the Commonwealth address. Read about the CONEG Governors addresses and see a "word cloud" illustrating the commonalities among the states..

Click here to read more.

NEWS FROM AROUND THE REGION:

CONNECTICUT

Governor Malloy announces Metro-North’s New Haven line set all-time ridership record during 2016.
Governor Malloy announces that Spirit Airlines will begin service at Bradley International Airport in April.
Governor Malloy proposed a package of statutory reforms that further state efforts to combat opioid addiction and overdoses.
The State of Connecticut has released an initial clean air project plan using $51 million from the Volkswagen settlement.
State officials discuss ways to improve public transportation in the New Haven area.

MASSACHUSETTS

Governor Baker releases $40.5 billion fiscal year 2018 budget proposal.

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center awards grants to early-stage clean energy companies to develop clean energy innovations.
Proposed legislation would require self-driving cars to pay mileage-based tax.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

The Department of Environmental Services releases enhanced New Hampshire Environmental Dashboard to provide the public with a status report on key environmental indicators.
Lawmakers hold hearing on whether to dissolve the New Hampshire Rail Transit Authority.

NEW YORK

Governor Cuomo outlines fiscal year 2018 budget.

Governor Cuomo announces the approval of the nation's largest offshore wind farm and the first offshore wind farm in New York.
Governor Cuomo announces the completion of energy efficient projects at two SUNY campuses expected to save more than $620,000 in annual energy costs and remove more than 3,200 tons of greenhouse gases.
Governor Cuomo announces the completion of more than half of the 100 bridge replacements in the $542 million Empire Bridge Program.
The Department of Environmental Conservation Releases first-ever comprehensive 10-year Ocean Action Plan for New York.
A new NYSERDA report finds that jobs in the state’s energy storage sector grew to approximately 3,900 – a 30 percent increase from 2012 through 2015.
The NY Department of Environmental Conservation has compiled a directory of state, federal and other programs that may fund green infrastructure projects.
The Long Island Railroad and Metro-North Railroad both break ridership records.

RHODE ISLAND

Governor Raimondo launches package of workforce training and economic development programs to rebuild Rhode Island's manufacturing industry
Rhode Island Governor Wants to "Rebuild and Reinvent" Manufacturing, Governing Magazine.
Governor Raimondo weighs in on NEC.

VERMONT

Governor Scott delivers his first budget address.
Governor Scott signs three Executive Orders to better align state government to meet the strategic goals to strengthen the economy, make Vermont more affordable, and protect vulnerable Vermonters.

NEWS FROM WASHINGTON, DC AND THE NORTHEAST:

Energy & Environment

Feds approve Atlantic Bridge natural gas project with compressor station in Massachusetts.
The U.S. Department of Energy’s 2017 U.S. Energy and Employment Report provides information on the number of jobs created by the energy, renewable energy and energy efficiency industries.
NOAA’s regional scenarios for sea level rise help coastal communities prepare for risks.
New study finds that Northeast is warming more rapidly than rest of U.S.
A new Environmental Defense Fund report highlights the role of transitioning into a more environmentally sustainable and energy efficient economy in creating millions of sustainability jobs across the nation.
EIA updates state electricity profiles with latest data.
The Campaign for Home Energy Assistance releases its LIHEAP white paper “Assessing the Impact of Economic Stressors on the Home Energy Crisis.”
EIA finds that electric power sector CO2 emissions are now regularly below transportation sector CO2 emissions for the first time since the late 1970s.
News from FERC: After President Trump named Commissioner Cheryl LaFleur as acting chair, Commissioner Norman Bay resigned, effective Feb 3. With only two members, the five-member commission does not have a quorum to sign off on projects.

Transportation

Elaine Chao was confirmed by the U.S. Senate to become the nations 18th Transportation Secretary.
New study ranks the 100 worst traffic bottlenecks in the U.S.; CONEG region makes first appearance at #37.
Governing Magazine looks at the hidden risks of public private partnerships.
FRA’s Rail Safety Statistics Report provides a snapshot of the safety performance of the rail transit industry for 2007 through 2013, including types of events, fatalities and injuries, and likely causes.
The Trump transition team has compiled a list of 50 priority infrastructure projects that could be incorporated into an infrastructure investment package. The list includes several projects in the CONEG states including the Amtrak Gateway, Champlain Hudson Power Express project, the Peace Bridge, MBTA Green Line extension, and New Hampshire I-93 rebuild.
Senate Democrats have unveiled their own $1 trillion infrastructure plan.

Budget

The latest Congressional Budget Office Budget and Economic Outlook projects budget deficits will continue an upward trajectory over next decade if current laws remain unchanged.
GAO report on "The Nation's Fiscal Health" finds that the federal government is on an unsustainable long-term fiscal path.

Please tell us how we're doing by answering these brief questions below.

Is the content of this email relevant to you?

Yes

Select

Would you like to continue to receive this newsletter from CONEG?

Yes

Select

400 North Capitol Street, NW

Suite 382
Washington, DC 200012

(2 02) 624-8450 [email protected]

Visit our website