Volume 17 | August 8, 2019

Governor Baker Signs State Budget

On July 31, Governor Baker signed the $43.1 billion FY2020 state budget into law just hours before a stopgap funding period was about to expire. Massachusetts lawmakers overwhelmingly approved the state budget (House 159-0, Senate 39-1) nearly three weeks into the new fiscal year. The compromised plan is a slight increase over the $42.7 billion budget Baker proposed and a four percent increase over last year's budget.
Northeast Committee on the Environment Meeting

On July 17th all seven states were present for the Northeast Committee on Environment (NECOE) quarterly meeting held at the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection headquarters in Hartford. Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners from Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont joined regional partners to discuss issues facing the region. Of these issues, Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), renewable energy development and siting were discussed in depth.
Congress & White House Strike a Rare Budget Compromise
In rare bipartisan fashion, the Democrats and the White House struck a two-year budget deal that increases spending and raises the debt ceiling, potentially averting an economic crisis. The bill ( H.R. 3877 ) passed the House in a 284-149 vote, the Senate final vote was 67-28 and on Friday, August 2, 2019, the President signed the bill into law .
 
The two-year deal offers incentives to both parties in that Republicans win increases in military spending and averted a potential standalone partisan vote on the debt ceiling, while Democrats got a boost in funding for domestic programs.

This year, the NEG/ECP Conference will have panel discussions focusing on energy grid modernization, cyber security, trade, and climate adaptation and risk mitigation. We look forward to another successful year as we welcome our new premiers and governors.

Sponsorship opportunities are available and interested organizations are invited to submit their request to sponsor the NEG/ECP 2019 conference before August 16, 2019. Please contact Lori Armstrong at lori.armstrong@ONBCanada.ca for more information.
News from the States
 Connecticut
Officials see new transportation center at Bradley International Airport as economic driver for the state (Hartford Courant)

Hartford a top 25 city for green energy (Hartford Courant)

Ma ine
Governor Mills and Commissioner Beal Urge USDA to Finalize Origin of Livestock Rules Latest push calls for maintaining vital markets and providing needed relief for Maine organic dairy farmers

Maine prepared to roll out new charging stations, electric vehicle rebates (Energy News Network)

Massachusetts
MassDOT Releases Study Detailing Congestion Impacts and Trends , Recommends Series of Next Steps

Baker-Polito Administration Files $18 Billion Transportation Bond Bill

New Hampshire
Financing on track for NH rail study (NH Business Review)

Ten Year Plan Public Meeting in Kingston on July 31, 2019 - Public Involvement Process Helps to Shape Transportation Projects for the 2021-2030 Plan
New York
Governor Cuomo Unanimously Voted to Serve as National Governors Association Vice Chair

Joint Statement from Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy on the Signing of Legislation to Move Forward the Gateway Program

Rhode Island
R.I. delegation raises concerns with speed of offshore wind review (Boston Globe)

RI Office of Energy Resources partners with six communities to participate in energy manager pilot program

Vermont
Governor Phil Scott Joins Nation’s Governors to Launch Outdoor Recreation Learning Network to Promote Economic Growth Through the Outdoor Industry

New energy efficiency incentives announced to help Vermonters (My Champlain Valley)
Regional and Federal Updates
Massachusetts and Vermont utilities represented four of the top ten for per-customer watts of energy storage deployment (PV Magazine)
 
A $150 Million-a-Year Plan to Buy Power for New England Cleared (Bloomberg)
 
FERC g ives ok to New England Fuel Security Plan (Politico)

EIA releases August's U.S. Short-Term Energy Outlook
Governors Speak Out Against Gun Violence & Domestic Terrorism
Governor Lamont Statement on Mass Shootings in El Paso and Dayton
 
Governor Mills tweets comments on Mass Shootings in El Paso and Dayton
 
Governor Baker tweets comments on Mass Shootings in El Paso and Dayton
 
Governor Sununu tweets comments on Mass Shooting in El Paso
 
Statement from Governor Andrew M. Cuomo on Shootings in Dayton, Ohio & El Paso
 
Governor Raimondo tweets comments on Mass Shootings in El Paso and Dayton
 
Statement from Governor Scott on Mass Shootings in El Paso and Dayton
Join us at the Global Clean Economy Summit in Boston in September 2019!
 
CONEG is excited to be a Partner for  Horizon1 9 . The solutions platform for the clean economy, will take place on September 18-20 at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. Governor Raimondo will be one of the notable speakers this year.

Horizon19 is a global event-driven platform that harnesses the international movement towards a clean economy. With 20,000 unique and growing contacts in the climate change space stemming from the inaugural event, the momentum to act of clean energy solutions is rapidly accelerating. Horizon19 is the platform to uniquely offer resolutions to act on climate commitments in concert with the Paris Agreement, 2030 Sustainability Goals, We Are Still In, and America’s Pledge.            
 
Special Offer:  As a Horizon19 partner,  CONEG  is very pleased to be able to provide a special offer for our stakeholders - 45% Off Registration for CONEG attendees (early bird rates expire July 31)
  • Please Register by clicking the [Register Today] button
  • Choose the "Corporate" registration
  • To receive your discount, please use promo code: CONEGMEMBERH19
Did You Know

The current-dollar gross domestic product (GDP) in the Northeast states increased by $30.4 million over the first quarter in 2019, raising the total Northeast GDP to $2.83 trillion.