Volume 19 | October 17, 2019

Governors Leading at International Level

Several of the CONEG Governors have been busy and leading at the International level. Just last week, Maine Governor Janet Mills addressed the Arctic Circle Assembly in Reykjavik, Iceland and pledged Maine’s support to work with Arctic Nations to combat climate change, strengthen trade relationships, and exchange cutting-edge research to diversify and expand Maine’s economy. Read the speech here .

Also last week, Governor Phil Scott along with Vermont and Québec leadership met at the Canadian border to celebrate the official opening of the East Richford-Sutton International Bridge after completion of a joint Vermont-Quebec project to
REV2019 Conference Summary

The Rev2019 Conference took place last week in Burlington, Vermont just as the foliage reached its peak coloring. The transformation of the region’s landscape paralleled the theme of the conference which focused on the energy transformation of the region and more specifically Vermont’s role in this shift. The two day conference covered several topics on energy transformation including how we redefine efficiency, grid modernization, renewable heating technologies, academic research- including the keynote address from Rocky Mountain Institute’s CEO, Jules Kortenhorst, and regional initiatives including an armchair conversation with New England energy regulators, the Western Climate Initiative, and the Transportation Climate Initiative. These regional actions have been a large piece of the puzzle in terms of transforming our energy portfolios.
Governors Cuomo & Lamont Co-Host Cannabis Regulation and Vaping Summit
Governors Cuomo and Lamont co-hosted a regional summit in NYC today with neighboring governors to consider regional standards around the development of laws, regulations, and policies on the emerging public health threat of vaping, e-cigarette products, and other cannabinoid vaping products. Governors Ned Lamont (CT), Phil Murphy (NJ), and Tom Wolf (PA) all participated in the discussion as well as several health officials.
We are pleased to announce that the next NEG/ECP Conference will be held on the beautiful Connecticut shoreline on September 20-22, 2020.

Please check back for more information or visit NEGECP.org for all conference details.
News from the States
 Connecticut
Gov. Ned Lamont revamping transportation plan to unclog choke-points (Hartford Courant)

Connecticut Interagency PFAS Task Force Releases Draft PFAS Action Plan for Public Comment

Ma ine
Representative Golden requests public hearing for CMP power line (Central Maine)


Speaking Before The United Nations, Governor Mills Announces Maine Will Be Carbon Neutral by 2045

Massachusetts

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Availability of $8 Million in Climate Change Funding for Cities and Towns

New Hampshire
N.H. Joins Northeast States Considering Transportation Carbon Price Program (NHPR)

Governor and lawmakers gather in Franklin on Thursday for signing of compromise, $13 billion state budget (Union Leader)
New York
Governor Cuomo Directs New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to Sue the International Joint Commission for Water Level Mismanagement That Devastated Lake Ontario Shoreline Communities
      
New York City Wants to Put a Climate Change ‘Laboratory’ on Governors Island (The New York Times)

Rhode Island


Vermont
Governor Phil Scott and Québec Officials Attend the Historic East Richford-Sutton International Bridge Reopening

Regional and Federal Updates
NEG/ECP Resolution on Ecological Connectivity recognized as supporting policy in scientific study: Connecting fractured habitats has long-lasting ecological benefits, study finds (Washington Post)

The Transportation and Climate Initiative Shares Updates and Draft Framework for Regional Low-carbon Transportation Policy (TCI)

Details of Vineyard Wind’s offshore wind bid unveiled (The Day)

California, New England will miss 2050 carbon targets at current pace, reports find (Utility Dive)
Did You Know

The lifetime benefits of RGGI investments made in 2017 include:
  • $1.4 billion in lifetime energy bill savings
  • 13.9 million MWh of electricity use avoided
  • 22.6 million MMBtu of fossil fuel use avoided
  • 8.3 million short tons of CO2 emissions avoided