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W E E K L Y  U P D A T E  August 3rd, 2020
 
In this Week's Issue:
NEMWI Releases Research Brief on Social Equity and Environmental Justice
NEMWI Issue Brief Addresses Increased Medicaid Costs and Need for Federal Unemployment Benefits
House Advance Second FY 2021 "Minibus" Appropriations Bill
House Approves WRDA Bill
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NEMWI Releases Research Brief on Social Equity and Environmental Justice
 
A new NEMWI research brief titled "Social Equity and Environmental Justice" continues NEMWI's series analyzing the Congressional Action Plan released last month by the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis. The new research brief is the fourth in NEMWI's ongoing series, "Could Renewable Energy be a Key Driver for Economic Recovery from the COVID-19 Shutdown?"  
 
Authored by Research Intern for Energy Policy Cotter McCarthy, the new research brief analyzes the Congressional Action Plan's commitment to achieving environmental justice. He suggests that efforts to improve energy efficiency in old housing units occupied by elderly and low-income people are particularly important for the Northeast Midwest region, where old, historic buildings and homes are concentrated. 

 The new research brief "Social Equity and Environmental Justice" can be found here.
NEMWI Issue Brief Addresses Increased Medicaid Costs and Need for Federal Unemployment Benefits

A Northeast-Midwest Institute issue brief released today addresses increased Medicaid costs and argues for needed increases in federal unemployment benefits, analyzing data presented in a Medicaid Policy Center report presented in July. The issue brief is titled "New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute Report Links Higher Medicaid Costs to Continuation of Federal Unemployment Benefits," and is authored by NEMWI Senior Fellow I. Sue Andersen.

The new NEMWI issue brief argues that the U.S. House-passed "HEROES Act will help to offset this looming crisis by increasing federal reimbursement of state Medicaid expenses."

The NEMWI issue brief is available here.

The Medicaid Policy Center report is available here.
House Advances Second FY 2021 "Minibus" Appropriations Bill

The U.S. House of Representatives last week passed a $1.3 trillion spending package through a largely party line vote of 217-197. While it was expected that the House would adjourn for its August recess after votes last week, it is expected that the House could reconvene if the White House and Congressional democrats are able to strike a deal on stimulus legislation aimed at addressing the current COVID-19 pandemic.

The bill, which was the second "minibus" appropriations bill that the House has passed to address FY 2021 spending, was comprised of a handful of appropriations bills that included the FY 2021 Energy & Water; Transportation & HUD; Commerce, Justice & Science; Defense; Labor, Health, Human Services & Education; Homeland Security; and Financial Services & General Government appropriations bills. Key highlights impacting the Great Lakes region include, but are not limited to:

FY 2021 Energy & Water Development
  • $1.68 billion for Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF) activities; 
  • $50 million for the Great Lakes-Mississippi Interbasin Study (GLMRIS);
  • $123.22 million for the construction of a new Soo Lock;
  • $14.3 million for the operation and maintenance of the electric fish barrier in the Chicago Area Waterway System (CAWS);
  • Language stating that the Brandon Road Lock and Dam project is critical to keeping Asian carp out of the Great Lakes and that the Army Corps is reminded that the project is eligible to compete for additional funding within the bill's Investigations account;
  • Language reminding the Army Corps that the Great Lakes Coastal Resiliency Study is eligible for funding as a new start;
  • Language reminding the Army Corps that funding for the final phase of electric fish barrier project in the CAWS is eligible for funding under the Operations and Maintenance account, which would allow it to complete the remaining testing required to bring the barrier online;
  • Language stating that HMTF funding for individual projects within the Great Lakes Navigation System should exceed original levels outlined in WRDA 1986;
  • $2.85 billion for DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy; and
  • $10 million for the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve.
FY 2021 Transportation & HUD
  • $40 million for the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (SLSDC):
    • Not less than $15.8 million is for the seaway infrastructure program;
    • $4 million is for market development and promotion of the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway navigation system; and

  • $300 million for the MARAD Port Infrastructure Development Program.

House Approves WRDA Bill

The U.S. House of Representatives last week approved H.R. 7575, the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2020, which authorizes projects for the Army Corps of Engineers and supports important inland waterways, ports, locks and dams. The bipartisan bill was passed by a voice vote, and now needs Senate approval to move forward. The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works approved its own water infrastructure legislation in May, but the full Senate has yet to advance the package to the floor.

Congress typically considers a new WRDA bill every two years. The House WRDA bill authorizes the construction of 34 pending Corps Chief's Reports; authorizes 35 feasibility studies for water resources development projects; directs the Corps to complete five comprehensive river basin studies for the Great Lakes, the Upper Mississippi River, the Lower Mississippi River, the Lower Missouri River Basin, and the Sacramento River; and directs the Corps to expedite the completion of 41 feasibility studies that are currently underway. The bill also allows appropriators to fully fund the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF) through its existing balance, which would provide an additional $10 billion to the fund. A more detailed analysis and breakdown of the bill by NEMWI can be found here.

Additionally, WRDA includes an authorization for the construction phase of the Brandon Road lock and dam project in Joliet, Illinois, a project aimed at keeping invasive Asian carp out of the Great Lakes. The House bill includes a cost share adjustment, calling for an 80 percent federal share and 20 percent nonfederal share of cost for the project. The Senate included a similar authorization for the project, but with a 75 percent federal share and 25 percent nonfederal share of cost adjustment. 

The House Congressional Great Lakes Task Force Co-Chairs released a joint press release in support of the project that can be viewed here.
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