The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) National Primary Drinking Water Regulation, setting limits for five so-called ‘forever chemicals’ found in drinking water. These manufactured chemicals are used and found in various products including nonstick cookware, waterproof products, food packaging, and stain-resistant clothing and carpets. The substances are nicknamed “forever chemicals” because they barely degrade and are nearly impossible to destroy, so they can linger permanently in air, water, and soil.
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The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration manages and administers the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program (CFI Program), a competitive grant program created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). The CFI Program aims to strategically deploy publicly accessible electric vehicle (EV) charging and alternative fueling infrastructure in the places people live and work, urban and rural areas alike, in addition to along designated Alternative Fuel Corridors (AFCs). CFI Program investments will make modern and sustainable infrastructure accessible to all drivers of electric, hydrogen, propane, and natural gas vehicles.
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Next year, the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program will celebrate 50 years of supporting local community building programs such as infrastructure, economic development, housing, and disaster recovery. Since its establishment, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has helped communities across the nation address the most pressing challenges facing residents. While HUD’s programs have evolved over the years, its core functions—providing assisted housing, promoting responsible homeownership, ensuring fair housing, and fostering community development—remain unchanged.
Continue reading Looking Ahead: A Half Century of CDBG at National Association of Regional Councils.
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The National Association of Regional Councils (NARC) supports local solar energy leadership and is a proud partner of SolSmart. SolSmart is a solar energy designation and technical assistance program funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) that helps prepare communities for the solar energy transition at the local level.
SolSmart offers no-cost technical assistance from a team of national experts that work with communities to identify local priorities and strategies to help make solar energy more affordable and accessible for residents and businesses.
Continue reading Now is the Right time for Solar! at National Association of Regional Councils.
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In 2022 the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) and the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) released the Solar Power in Your Community guidebook, which will assist regional and local government officials and stakeholders in boosting solar deployment and overcoming common barriers in today’s market. This marks the third edition of the guidebook, which DOE originally published in 2011. The report provides best practices, case studies, and links to additional resources.
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On November 18, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released the first draft of its new National Broadband Map, a comprehensive, location-by-location view of high-speed Internet availability across the nation. The map is a more detailed and precise reflection of the availability of fixed and mobile broadband services across the country.
The new map can be accessed here.
While the FCC will not implement a deadline for data challenges, NARC strongly encourages communities to make submissions by January 13, the date by which NTIA will use the FCC map to determine each state’s allocation of BEAD dollars.
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The National Association of Regional Councils (NARC) annual Membership Week will begin November 14 through November 18.
This week will be all about you, our members, because without your support and leadership, NARC would not be able to do the work we do: bringing regional councils across the country together and advocating for regional solutions in Washington.
We will be highlighting some of the key benefits that come along with being a part of our organization.
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The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration today announced a new program that unlocks $6.4 billion in formula funding for states and localities over five years. The new Carbon Reduction Program (CRP), created under the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will help states develop carbon reduction strategies and address the climate crisis facing our nation.
Please urge your members of Congress to support HOME in FY 2023 appropriations. Please urge your local, state, and regional partners to support the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) program and urge Congress to direct renewed investment of $2.5 billion for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 through the National Sign On Letter by COB Friday, April 22.
]]>In a letter to the Federal Highway Administration, the Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations (AMPO) and the National Association of Regional Councils (NARC) write to jointly request consideration of the following comments in response to the Request for Information (RFI) (Docket No. FHWA-2021-0021) that was published in the Federal Register on December 1, 2021.
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