Volume 20 | November 25, 2019

Northeast Governors Promote Transportation Future
Governor Lamont Presents Plan to Transform Connecticut's Transportation System; Draws Strong Support from the CT Business Community.

On November 7, Governor Lamont presented a ten-year vision called CT2030 to create a multi-modal, congestion-reduced Connecticut through smart enhancement projects in the state’s highways, trains, buses, airports, and ports. CT2030 leverages new funding and financing sources to the tune of $21 billion. The plan calls for an investment of $14 billion in roads and bridges, and $7 billion in public transit systems. Governor Lamont’s plan is intended to hopefully improve transportation infrastructure throughout Connecticut and significantly reduce travel times for commuters in, and through, the state.
Buzzword of 2019-PFAS
By Lana Bluege
Regional Program Coordinator

If there was a buzz word in the environmental community to encapsulate 2019- it would be PFAS also known as Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. This class of over 4,700 synthetic organic chemicals have been used irresponsibly by large corporations in several consumer products, including
TCI Updates and Draft Framework for Regional Low-carbon Transportation Policy
 
The Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI), a regional collaboration of Northeast (each of the seven CONEG states participate in the TCI) and Mid-Atlantic states including the District of Columbia are seeking to improve transportation, develop the clean energy economy and reduce carbon emissions from the transportation sector. The TCI has recently shared updates and a draft framework for regional low-carbon transportation policy.
We are pleased to announce that the next NEG/ECP Conference will be held in Connecticut on September 20-22, 2020.

Please check back for more information or visit NEGECP.org for all conference details.

The NEG/ECP’s Ecological Connectivity Working Group has developed a website that showcases current connectivity projects and data throughout the region and organizations are welcome to contribute. You can visit the website at: https://ecologicalconnectivity.com /
News from the States
 Connecticut
Governor Lamont Receives Final Action Plan From PFAS Task Force

Statement From Governor Ned Lamont , Governor Gina Raimondo, and Governor Charlie Baker

Ma ine
Maine voters approve $105 million transportation bond (Press Herald)

Governor Mills Statement on Trump Administration’s Formal Notice of Withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement (WAGM)

Massachusetts
Baker-Polito Administration Celebrates the First-in-the-Nation Offshore Wind Training Facility Located at Massachusetts Maritime Academy


New Hampshire
Senator Hassan, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Support and Expand Regional Greenhouse Gas Reduction Programs

Shaheen, Hassan & Kuster Announce $12 Million for NHDOT Bridge Project on Connecticut River
New York
Last coal plant poised for closure (Politico Pro)

Governor Cuomo Announces Finalized Contracts for Empire Wind and Sunrise Wind Offshore Wind Projects to Deliver Nearly 1,700 Megawatts of Clean and Affordable Renewable Energy to New Yorkers

Rhode Island
Governor Raimondo calls for stricter regulations on natural gas utilities following a report blaming a utility for a gas outage earlier this year (Providence Journal)


Vermont
Vermont launches electric school bus pilot with Volkswagen settlement funds (Energy News Network)

 Governor Phil Scott signs executive order to ensure complete count of Vermont population in 2020 census
Regional and Federal Updates
Sanders, Warren join fellow senators in urging New England to speed clean energy transition (Utility Dive)
 
Governors would get new selection power under HUBZone rule change (NH Business Review)
 
Senate clears spending bill that punts shutdown to December (Politico)

House moves to avert shutdown , but border wall fight dominates spending talks (Politico)
 
Amtrak delivers best operating performance in company history
 
America's Transportation Infrastructure Act : Bipartisan, historic and substantial (Washington Times)
Did You Know

GDP in the Northeast states increased to $2.85 trillion or 13.4% of total US (2nd Quarter 2019).




Please note that CONEG will be moving our DC office effective December 1, 2019. We'll still be located at 400 North Capitol St., but the new suite number will be 370. We appreciate you updating your mailing records! Thank you.