Read more about the article EPA Invests $22.4M in Nutrient & Sediment Reduction for Bay
Environment / Intergovernmental Relations / Summer Conference / Transportation and Public Works
EPA Invests $22.4M in Nutrient & Sediment Reduction for Bay

The EPA is investing over $22.4 million in grants to help reduce nutrients and sediment within the Chesapeake Bay.  Last week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $22.4 million in grants to 13 selectees through the Innovative Nutrient & Sediment Reduction grant program. The 13 grants will leverage $35.3 million in matching contributions to generate a total conservation impact of $57.7 million. This program is currently administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation…

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July 1, 2024
Read more about the article Conduit Street Podcast: A Neighborly Chat With the Pennsylvania County Association
County Budgets / County Government and Structure / County News / Economic Development / Health and Human Services / Intergovernmental Relations
Conduit Street Podcast: A Neighborly Chat With the Pennsylvania County Association

In this week's episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, MACo's Michael Sanderson connects with his Pennsylvania counterpart, Lisa Schaefer. She guides the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania, which serves and represents its 64 county members.

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June 28, 2024
Read more about the article FHA Opens $1.3B in Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grants
Energy / Intergovernmental Relations / Transportation and Public Works
FHA Opens $1.3B in Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grants

Earlier this month the FHA opened applications for $1.3 billion in charging and fueling infrastructure grants. Counties have until August 28th to apply.  Earlier this month, the Federal Highway Administration opened its next round of the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) discretionary grant program. The CFI supports both Alternative Fuel Corridor (AFC) and Community planning and deployment of electric vehicle (EV) charging or alternative fueling projects. This round, there is up to $1.3 billion available…

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June 26, 2024
Read more about the article Key Bridge Update: Dali Out, Proposals on Bridge Rebuild In
Economic Development / Intergovernmental Relations / Transportation and Public Works
Key Bridge Update: Dali Out, Proposals on Bridge Rebuild In

The Dali is on its way to Norfolk, Virginia. Proposals have been submitted for rebuilding the Key Bridge; the team will be chosen by late summer.  Dali is Out of Maryland Monday morning, traffic across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge was stopped in order to make way for the Dali cargo ship. After months of being stuck in the Port of Baltimore after the Key Bridge collision, the Dali Cargo ship was finally allowed to leave…

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June 25, 2024
Read more about the article USDA Focuses on Healthy Foods in Underserved Communities
Agriculture / Economic Development / Intergovernmental Relations
USDA Focuses on Healthy Foods in Underserved Communities

The USDA launched a new program focused on getting healthier foods into underserved communities.  The USDA and Reinvestment Fund recently launched a new program under the Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) to increase access to healthy foods in communities underserved by grocery stores. The new Food Access and Retail Expansion Fund (FARE Fund) uses funds from the American Rescue Plan Act. Through the HFFI FARE Fund, USDA and the Reinvestment Fund are making available $60 million…

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June 25, 2024
Read more about the article USDOT Opens $200M in Funding for Aging Natural Gas Pipes, Reduce Energy Costs
Energy / Environment / Intergovernmental Relations / Transportation and Public Works
USDOT Opens $200M in Funding for Aging Natural Gas Pipes, Reduce Energy Costs

USDOT recently opened applications for $200 million in grant opportunities to help counties repair aging natural gas infrastructure and reduce energy costs.  The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is soliciting grant applications for nearly $200 million as part of part of a first-of-its-kind program established by the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The Natural Gas Distribution Infrastructure Safety and Modernization (NGDISM) grant program, is aimed at mitigating safety risks and…

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June 19, 2024
Read more about the article State Looks to Strengthen Bay Bridge Supports in Wake of Key Bridge Disaster
Economic Development / Intergovernmental Relations / Transportation and Public Works
State Looks to Strengthen Bay Bridge Supports in Wake of Key Bridge Disaster

State officials are planning to strengthen certain sections of the Bay Bridge in an effort to mitigate future worst-case collision scenarios.  When the Key Bridge collapsed earlier this year, the state and region experienced a significant economic blow. Commuting in and around Baltimore City became much more challenging for both residents and businesses. The closure of the main route to the Port of Baltimore for nearly two and a half months put tens of thousands…

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June 19, 2024
Read more about the article Maine on Track to Meet Carbon Neutrality Before 2045
Energy / Environment / Intergovernmental Relations
Maine on Track to Meet Carbon Neutrality Before 2045

The State of Maine is on track to be carbon neutral before a self-imposed deadline of 2045; other climate goals are progressing but less aggressive than Maryland.  Maine's Department of Environmental Protection recently released its 10th Report on Progress toward Greenhouse Gas (GHG) goals. The report details that the state is 91 percent of the way to becoming carbon neutral by 2045 and has cut emissions by 10 percent from 1990 levels by 2020. The state…

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June 19, 2024
Read more about the article New Hampshire Passes Bill to Ban Disposal of Batteries
Energy / Environment / Intergovernmental Relations / Transportation and Public Works
New Hampshire Passes Bill to Ban Disposal of Batteries

New Hampshire's General Court passes legislation banning the disposal of batteries at landfills and incinerators.  New Hampshire's General Court recently passed HB1386, which bans the disposal of batteries at landfills and incinerators. As the push toward electrification continues, battery technology will grow in importance both at the consumer end and at utility-scale. If not properly disposed of, battery technology also poses a serious fire hazard, endangering resident safety and public infrastructure. New Hampshire's ban on…

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June 19, 2024
Read more about the article Feds Launch Strategy to Reduce Food Loss/Waste
Environment / Intergovernmental Relations / Transportation and Public Works
Feds Launch Strategy to Reduce Food Loss/Waste

Federal officials from the Dept of Ag., EPA, and FDA released a new strategy to reduce food waste and loss. The approach will help reduce emissions and hunger while also working to reduce climate change.  The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the White House recently announced the National Strategy for Reducing Food Loss and Waste and Recycling Organics as part of…

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June 13, 2024
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