Volume 33 | March 4, 2021
Vaccine Distribution in the States
The region’s states all have differing rules as to who is eligible to get the currently available vaccines, although some Governors are aligning with President Biden’s directive to prioritize education system and child care providers. Johnson & Johnson is the third vaccine just approved by the FDA for emergency use authorization, and the company began rollout of its doses early this week.
Connecticut Leading Transition to Renewable Energy
As part of a 2017 law requiring the state to solicit bids for additional renewable energy, the Connecticut Siting Council has recently approved the largest solar development in the Northeastern U.S.

The East Windsor project site is a collection of parcels under several owners and includes raw land and agricultural fields that will be developed with a solar array producing 120-megawatts and covering 485 acres.

In another recent deal, a joint venture between Eversource Energy and Ørsted have signed a contract with the city of New London – known as a host community agreement – to redevelop the State Pier into a staging facility for offshore wind development.
President Biden’s Cabinet Status

When President Joe Biden was inaugurated on January 20, he took office without key members of his Cabinet in place. This was a result of the previous Senate moving slower to schedule nominees than that of prior Presidents. After six years of Republican control, the chamber now led by Democrats can confirm nominees without Republican support with Vice President Kamala Harris as the tie breaker in the evenly split Senate, but even still, there’s no guarantee all of his nominees will be confirmed.
Raimondo Confirmed for Commerce Secretary, McKee Becomes RI Governor

CONEG welcomes its newest member, Governor Daniel McKee. With the resignation of Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo shortly before being sworn in as US Commerce Secretary on March 2, Lieutenant Governor Dan McKee became Rhode Island’s 76th Governor.
Governor Mills Delivers State of the Budget
Governor Janet Mills delivered her state of the budget address virtually on February 23, due to the ongoing pandemic. In her pre-recorded address, Governor Mills focused on the pandemic, health care, education, and the Maine economy. She paid tribute to the milestone loss of over 500,000 deaths including 660 Mainers.
News from the States
Connecticut
Governor Lamont Congratulates Dr. Miguel Cardona on His Confirmation as U.S. Education Secretary
 
State approves East Windsor solar farm, largest in the Northeast (Hartford Courant)

Maine
Maine Aligns Vaccination Plan with President’s Directive to Make School Staff & Child Care Providers Eligible Through Federal Retail Pharmacy Plan
 

Massachusetts
Baker-Polito Administration Announces K-12 Educators, Child Care Workers and K-12 School Staff Eligible for Vaccine Appointments Starting March 11th & Vaccine Appointment Availability for Next Week

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Plans for Continued Reopening
New Hampshire
Governor Chris Sununu issued Emergency Order #86 authorizing certain retired healthcare workers to administer the COVID-19 vaccine

Governor Sununu Signs Back to School Emergency Order

New York
Governor Cuomo Announces State to Expand Vaccination Network to Include Sites Designed to Serve 65-plus Population
 
Governor Cuomo Welcomes President Biden at the National Governors Association 2021 Winter Meeting

Rhode Island

Vermont
Governor Phil Scott Announces Next Phase of Vermont’s Vaccine Rollout

Governor Phil Scott Signs Budget Adjustment Bill
Regional and Federal Updates

ASCE Releases its 2021 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure

A Clean Energy Milestone: Renewables Pulled Ahead of Coal in 2020 (Inside Climate News)

Transportation & Climate Initiative shares Draft Model Rule and Updates on Public Engagement Planning (TCI)
Did you know?
For the first time in 20 years, our infrastructure GPA is a C-, up from a D+ in 2017. This is good news and an indication we’re headed in the right direction, but a lot of work remains.