Read more about the article Dept. of Energy Defines Zero Emissions Buildings
Energy / Housing and Community Development / Intergovernmental Relations
Dept. of Energy Defines Zero Emissions Buildings

The US Department of Energy recently released a new federal definition for zero-emission buildings.  The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently announced a National Definition of a Zero Emissions Building to advance public and private sector efforts to decarbonize the buildings sector, which is responsible for more than one-third of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. The definition is intended to provide industry guidance to support new and existing commercial and residential buildings to move towards…

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June 13, 2024
Read more about the article Army Corps of Engineers: Port of Baltimore Channel Restored
The Chesapeake 1000 (“Chessy”) floating crane equipped with “Gus” the hydraulic grabber, wrestle a 90-ton piece of residual wreckage Friday morning, June 7, 2024, from the Fort McHenry Federal Channel. Taking roughly 45 minutes to unfold, Chessy and Gus slowly lift the mangled steel high above the Patapsco River, so a waiting barge can move underneath, allowing the wreckage to be safely lowered onto the barge for immediate processing by waiting hydraulic sheers. (U.S. Army photo by Bobby Petty)
Intergovernmental Relations / Transportation and Public Works
Army Corps of Engineers: Port of Baltimore Channel Restored

The US Army Corp of Engineers has announced the full restoration of Baltimore's Fort McHenry Federal Channel.  As part of the Unified Command response to the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Navy Supervisor of Salvage and Diving earlier this week restored the Fort McHenry Federal Channel to its original operational dimensions of 700 feet wide and 50 feet deep for commercial maritime transit through the…

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June 12, 2024
Read more about the article MDTA Announces RFP for Key Bridge Rebuild, Port’s Main Channel Set to Reopen Soon
Intergovernmental Relations / Transportation and Public Works
MDTA Announces RFP for Key Bridge Rebuild, Port’s Main Channel Set to Reopen Soon

MDTA last week put out an RFP inviting design-build teams to submit proposals for rebuilding the Francis Scott Key Bridge; Feds aim for mid-June port channel reopening.  MDTA RFP on Francis Scott Key Bridge Rebuild On May 31st, the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) released its Request for Proposals (RFP) inviting design-build teams to submit proposals for rebuilding the Francis Scott Key Bridge and reconnecting the I-695 Baltimore Beltway. The MDTA is seeking proposals from qualified…

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June 4, 2024
Read more about the article Only 38% of Federal Infrastructure Money Spent, Program Reaches Halfway Mark
Intergovernmental Relations / Transportation and Public Works
Only 38% of Federal Infrastructure Money Spent, Program Reaches Halfway Mark

Only 38 percent of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act's $1.2 trillion has been spent at the program's halfway point; two and a half years remain to spend the rest.  Following its passage, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act was touted as a generational investment in the nation's critical infrastructure. Congress allocated $1.2 trillion, the largest single infrastructure spend in history, which would be divided up amongst a litany of programs to be dolled out…

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June 4, 2024
Read more about the article Vermont Becomes First State to Target Fossil Fuel Interests Over Climate Change
Energy / Environment / Intergovernmental Relations
Vermont Becomes First State to Target Fossil Fuel Interests Over Climate Change

The State of Vermont has become the first in the nation to actively begin targeting fossil fuel companies responsible for the climate change crisis.  Vermont has enacted legislation requiring the world's largest oil companies to pay for damages resulting from fossil fuel induced climate change. The bill, S. 259 - Climate Superfund Act, is modeled off of the federal Superfund law and according to the fiscal note would, "secure compensatory payments from responsible parties to…

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June 4, 2024
Read more about the article Amazon Gets FAA Approval to Expand Drone Deliveries
Information Technology / Intergovernmental Relations / News You Can Use / Transportation and Public Works
Amazon Gets FAA Approval to Expand Drone Deliveries

Amazon announced that it received federal approval to expand its drone delivery program. Federal law requires human supervision for most drone operations. However, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granted Amazon's Prime Air the authority to operate drones beyond the visual line of sight (BVLOS). This allows the tech giant to fly its drones out of the controller's visual line of sight, meaning the company can deliver to customers further away. Now that Amazon can fly…

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June 3, 2024
Read more about the article Frederick Launches Green Homes Program
Energy / Environment / Intergovernmental Relations
Frederick Launches Green Homes Program

Frederick County recently launched the Green Homes Program, aimed at lowering home energy costs and helping residents live more sustainably.  Earlier this month, Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater launched a new initiative to assist residents who want to lower home energy costs and live more sustainably. The new Green Homes Program, managed by the Division of Energy and Environment, is open to all county residents. The project is funded by a nearly $1 million grant…

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May 30, 2024
Read more about the article HUD Moves to Streamline HOME Affordable Housing Grant Program
Seal of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Housing and Community Development / Intergovernmental Relations
HUD Moves to Streamline HOME Affordable Housing Grant Program

HUD is proposing rules aimed at boosting the housing supply, supporting homeownership, and reducing the burden on states and local governments. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) published a preview of a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to modernize regulations for the HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME), with publication in the Federal Register to follow soon. The proposed rule would streamline program requirements for states and localities, better align HOME funding with other…

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May 29, 2024
Read more about the article USDOT Opens $10.5M in Competitive Grants to Plan Housing Near Transit
Intergovernmental Relations / Planning and Zoning / Transportation and Public Works
USDOT Opens $10.5M in Competitive Grants to Plan Housing Near Transit

The USDOT recently opened applications for $10.5 million in competitive grants for local government to plan housing near transit.  The U.S. Department of Transportation's (USDOT) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) recently announced the availability of nearly $10.5 million in competitive grant funds for agencies to plan transit-adjacent development. FTA's Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning supports local planning and investment near transit hubs to promote sustainable, livable, and equitable communities, with a focus on projects that…

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May 29, 2024
Read more about the article EPA Opens Applications for $14M in Brownfields Job Training Grants
Environment / Intergovernmental Relations / Transportation and Public Works
EPA Opens Applications for $14M in Brownfields Job Training Grants

The EPA seeking applications for Brownfields Job Training Grants that will support local environmental job training programs and environmental workforce in underserved and overburdened communities. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the availability of approximately $14 million for environmental job training grants under EPA’s Brownfields Job Training Program. Through the Notice of Funding Opportunity, EPA anticipates awarding approximately 20 grants nationwide at amounts up to $500,000 per award. EPA’s Brownfields Job Training Grant program is…

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May 22, 2024
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