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As different areas of the country become drier and hotter, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Pueblo of Cochiti, New Mexico, are developing green infrastructure projects that address water needs. The EPA initiative focuses resources from multiple federal agencies to help meet economic, environmental and community needs identified by tribal leaders. EPA is also providing assistance with drinking water sources and brownfields evaluation

Congressman Pete Visclosky announced today that the National Park Service Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) has awarded a $200,000.00 grant to the Lake County Park Board for Deep River Park.

Solar energy pricing is at an all-time low, according to a new report released by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab). Driven by lower installed costs, improved project performance, and a race to build projects ahead of a reduction in a key federal incentive, utility-scale solar project developers have been negotiating power sales agreements with utilities at prices averaging just 5¢/kWh. These prices reflect receipt of the 30% federal investment tax credit, which is scheduled to decline to 10% after 2016, and would be higher if not for that incentive

A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of theft of government property, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today Michelle L. Michalek, 35, of Pittsburgh, PA 15209, pleaded guilty to one felony count before Chief United States District Judge Joy Flowers Conti.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has finalized a plan to use natural processes along with the continued use of a system that EPA had already installed to treat contaminated groundwater at the Corozal Well Superfund Site in Corozal, Puerto Rico.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced today that it is awarding more than $38 million under HUD’s Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) to over 100 groups across the nation to fight housing discrimination.See chart below for a listing of grant recipientsand read summaries here of the activities these organizations will conduct with the grants.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today awarded more than $2 million in research grants designed to protect children and other vulnerable groups from health hazards in their homes. This funding highlights the link between housing and health, and methods for reducing residential health hazards. HUD’s grants are being awarded to two universities and a non-profit research institution studying new low-cost methods to control asthma triggers in the home, and to control tobacco smoke residue that has settled on home surfaces (referred to as third-hand smoke.

Representatives Denny Heck (WA-10) and Derek Kilmer (WA-06) introduced the Promoting United Government Efforts To Save Our Sound (PUGET SOS) Act in the United States Congress. The PUGET SOS bill, H.R. 3630, would enhance the federal government’s role and investment in the Puget Sound, the largest estuary in the United States by water volume

Senator Charles Schumer and Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) are calling on the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) to guard against land speculation and to consider community and economic impact in their sale of the vacant Dillon Courthouse. Schumer and Higgins pointed to previous examples where developers have purchased buildings in Buffalo with no plans for immediate reuse, noting the detrimental impact that can have on the community, and urged GSA to prevent that scenario with the Dillon Courthouse.

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today announced that the Department of the Interior’s (DOI) Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) has awarded $44,399 to the City of Euclid to acquire approximately 0.42-acre of waterfront property that is critical to development of the city’s Lake Erie Waterfront Trail.

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today announced $250,000 in federal funding for the Village of Quaker City to build a new wastewater treatment plant on U.S. Route 265. “Proper wastewater management and storage is critical to the infrastructure of Ohio communities,” said Brown. “This funding will help improve service for rural customers in Guernsey County.”

The Vermont Clean Water Fund and its board were created by Act 64, also known as the Vermont Clean Water Act, which was passed by the legislature during the 2015 session and signed by Governor Shumlin on June 16, 2015. The purpose of the Clean Water Fund is to provide direct financial support for actions that will reduce pollution washing into Vermont's waterways. The Clean Water Fund Board, which administers the Fund, includes representatives from the agencies of Administration, Agriculture, Farm and Markets, Commerce and Community Development, Natural Resources and Transportation.

Senator Charles Schumer and Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) are calling on the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) to guard against land speculation and to consider community and economic impact in their sale of the vacant Dillon Courthouse. Schumer and Higgins pointed to previous examples where developers have purchased buildings in Buffalo with no plans for immediate reuse, noting the detrimental impact that can have on the community, and urged GSA to prevent that scenario with the Dillon Courthouse

U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) questioned Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation Janet McCabe about the Obama administration’s new ozone rule and final clean power plan. Assistant Administrator McCabe was testifying before today’s Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee hearing on the economic implications of President Obama’s air agenda

Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today announced that the California Department of Justice has been awarded over two million dollars in federal grants to fight gang activity and the manufacturing and distribution of methamphetamine throughout the state. The grants were awarded by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Office

With Michigan soon entering the winter heating season, Consumers Energy is encouraging residents and businesses to manage their energy bills for all seasons by enrolling in the monthly Budget Plan.

the Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans held an oversight hearing on the designations of Marine National Monuments, which are unilateral executive actions that usurp established regional fisheries management plans and impose significant economic and environmental impacts regionally and nationwide.

Several street construction projects are wrapping up in downtown Minneapolis. Although there will be one additional street closure this Friday, the conclusion of these projects should ease traffic congestion next week.

The online platform, Get Connected 2.0, offers both non-profits and volunteers the opportunity to take advantage of this web-based, “one-stop-shop” that lists agency profiles and current volunteer needs. The system also allows users to create a free membership and to browse and sign up for volunteer opportunities

During the audit, Public Works and Utility Services was reorganized so that the City’s pavement management responsibilities are now under the newly created Transportation and Stormwater Services Department. In addition to pavement management, the department maintains traffic signals, traffic signs, pavement markings, special events, permit inspections, stormwater drainage, and movable bridges.