The conference committee released the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative with the Energy and Water Bill last night and it includes the entire $475 million that the US President and the US House requested. Woo Hoo! This is a big victory for the Great Lakes!
The money is just one half of the equation when it comes to Great Lakes restoration – we still have a lot of regulatory and policy issues to contend with, but finally we have the nation’s first real investment in this fresh water resource.
Now that the legislation is out of conference it will go to the floors of both houses for a vote. If it passes both chambers then it will wing its way to the White House for President Obama’s signiture. These are exciting times for our region and we are on our way to real progress!
Related posts:
- Mayor to President Obama: ‘Fund Great Lakes Restoration Initiative’
- Congress Fully Authorizes Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, but More Work Looms
- Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Funding Still In President’s Budget
- Great Lakes Legacy Act is on the Move!
- Coalition Supports New EPA Effort to Prioritize Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Funding in 2012