Read more about the article HUD Launches Funding Navigator to Connect Counties to Federal Funding
Seal of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Energy / Environment / Housing and Community Development / Intergovernmental Relations
HUD Launches Funding Navigator to Connect Counties to Federal Funding

HUD launched a Funding Navigator to connect program participants to billions in federal funding and tax credits to improve carbon reduction and climate resilience. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced its first-ever Funding Navigator, an interactive tool that allows the user to browse and sort funding opportunities for billions of dollars in funding available under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). As a part of President Biden’s Investing…

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September 22, 2023
Read more about the article Baltimore City Receives $4M for Solar Powered Composting Facility
Environment / Intergovernmental Relations / Transportation and Public Works
Baltimore City Receives $4M for Solar Powered Composting Facility

The EPA awarded Baltimore City $4 million to develop a solar-powered, scalable composting facility.  With the help of a $4 million award from the EPA, City of Baltimore will develop a solar-powered, scalable composting facility co-located with the new East Side Transfer Station at Bowley’s Lane. The proposed development leverages funds from the transfer station development project and from a partnership with Baltimore’s Department of Parks and Recreation. This project will result in 12,000 tons…

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September 21, 2023
Read more about the article Feds Open $19M to Improve Water Infrastructure Climate Resilience
Environment / Intergovernmental Relations / Transportation and Public Works
Feds Open $19M to Improve Water Infrastructure Climate Resilience

The EPA has opened $19 million in competitive grants to help improve the climate resilience of the drinking water infrastructure.  Earlier this month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $19 million in new grant funding that will work to improve the climate resilience of the nation’s water infrastructure. EPA’s Drinking Water System Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability grant program will support drinking water systems in underserved, small, and disadvantaged communities that are working to prepare…

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September 20, 2023
Read more about the article FHWA Opens $100M to Repair/Replace Non-Operational EV Chargers
Intergovernmental Relations / Transportation and Public Works
FHWA Opens $100M to Repair/Replace Non-Operational EV Chargers

The FHWA recently released a NOFO for a $100 million program aimed at repairing existing non-operational EV chargers.  The Federal Highway Administration FHWA announced a $100m Notice of Funding Opportunity(NOFO), utilizing a 10% set-aside from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) formula program, for the Electric Vehicle Charger Reliability and Accessibility Accelerator. The funding can be utilized to repair and replace existing, but non-operational, EV charging infrastructure. Non-functional or broken EV charger sites will be…

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September 19, 2023
Read more about the article Apply for USDOT’s Thriving Communities Program
Intergovernmental Relations / Transportation and Public Works
Apply for USDOT’s Thriving Communities Program

The USDOTs Thriving Communities Program opened applications for FY 2023.  The USDOT is now accepting applications for its fiscal year (FY) 2023 Thriving Communities Program (TCP). TCP offers two separate response opportunities for potential applicants: a Letter of Interest and a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), which are described below. Under the NOFO, DOT is accepting applications for both the Thriving Communities National Capacity Builder Program and a new Regional Pilot Program. What is the TCP? TCP provides technical assistance, planning,…

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September 19, 2023
Read more about the article Carbon Capture – What is It, and Can it Solve Our Climate Woes?
Energy / Environment / Intergovernmental Relations / Planning and Zoning / Transportation and Public Works
Carbon Capture – What is It, and Can it Solve Our Climate Woes?

This article is part of MACo’s Deep Dive series, where expert analysts explore and explain the top county issues of the day. A new article is added each week – read all of MACo’s Deep Dives. Long-time readers of Conduit Street will know that climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our generation. From more violent weather patterns to rising sea levels, Maryland is being forced to contend with the consequences of fossil fuels…

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September 13, 2023
Read more about the article Anne Arundel Hosts Carbon Negative Vineyard
Energy / Environment
Anne Arundel Hosts Carbon Negative Vineyard

The Dodon Vineyards in Anne Arundel is pioneering agriculture methods that store carbon in the soil, exceeding what little carbon the operation produces.  As climate change intensifies, agriculture practices will need to adjust to meet our new reality. One such operation in Anne Arundel County, Dodon Vineyards, is doing just that. For over a decade, Dondon has been pioneering techniques to reduce carbon output and store more carbon in the soil than it produces. The vineyard…

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September 12, 2023
Read more about the article Road Weight Restrictions Pose Issues for EV Rollout
Energy / Environment / Intergovernmental Relations / Planning and Zoning / Transportation and Public Works
Road Weight Restrictions Pose Issues for EV Rollout

As the United States pushes for a faster conversion to EVs, road weight restrictions pose an unexpected barrier.  In the fight against climate change, the United States has placed a hefty bet on converting the nation's cars from gas to electric. As previously covered on Conduit Street, one of the main barriers to this conversion is infrastructure - specifically road weight limits. Electric vehicles (EVs) can weigh one or more tons heavier than their internal…

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September 11, 2023
Read more about the article EPA Opens Nominations for Local Government Advisory Committee
Energy / Environment / Intergovernmental Relations
EPA Opens Nominations for Local Government Advisory Committee

The EPA will accept nominations for the Local Government Advisory Committee through September 30th.  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced a solicitation for elected and appointed officials to serve on its Local Government Advisory Committee (LGAC), which advises the EPA on critical environmental issues impacting local governments. In 2024, members of the LGAC will provide advice and recommendations on a broad range of issues, including but not limited to: advancing environmental justice, developing…

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September 11, 2023
Read more about the article Oct. 11th – Webinar on How to Use a Local Government Guide to the Chesapeake Bay
Environment / Intergovernmental Relations
Oct. 11th – Webinar on How to Use a Local Government Guide to the Chesapeake Bay

On October 11th, the Local Leadership Workgroup for the Alliance for the Bay is hosting a webinar entitled "How to Use A Local Government Guide to the Chesapeake Bay." The Alliance for the Bay's Local Leadership Workgroup (LLWG) recently announced a virtual “How to Use A Local Government Guide to the Chesapeake Bay” Resources Training Session designed exclusively for local government officials and individuals working alongside government representatives. The LLWG is providing this opportunity with…

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September 7, 2023
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