Minnesota
Advancing High-Speed Rail
Protecting Minnesota’s Wild and Scenic Rivers
Advancing High-Speed Rail
Minneapolis-Saint Paul is among the ten major metropolitan areas within a 400-mile radius of Chicago primed to benefit from the advent of a Midwest high speed rail network. A regional high speed rail network would significantly reduce traffic congestion, travel time, air pollution, and urban sprawl. And at 10% of the cost of constructing new highways, a high speed rail network with its hub in Chicago just makes sense. ELPC is working to develop a Midwest high speed rail network that will be good for the environment, create jobs and spur economic development. The high speed rail network would provide fast, modern, comfortable, and convenient new transportation options and will reduce our reliance on auto and air travel.
Protecting Minnesota’s Wild and Scenic Rivers
ELPC and local allies are opposed to a massive new bridge that will cross the Lower St. Croix River at the Minnesota-Wisconsin border. In 2010, we won a U.S. District Court decision that led to a determination by the National Park Service that massive bridges should not be built across rivers with a Wild and Scenic River designation — an important protection for our most treasured rivers. But in March 2011, Congress and the President signed legislation allowing the bridge to move forward. ELPC and our local allies are working together to determine potential next steps.
News
Application Period Now Open for Biomass Crop Assistance Program Project Areas
The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) is now accepting applications for the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) Project Areas. Proposals will be accepted until April 23, 2012.
“BCAP is an important and unique program that develops new biomass energy crops that can boost farmer income while providing a new energy source for the nation. It has potential across the country,” said Steve Falck, Senior Policy Advocate for the Environmental Law & Policy Center (ELPC).
The USDA will review the proposals and select producers or biomass facilities for the BCAP Project Areas. The growers will qualify for establishment or annual payments.
BCAP was first created in the 2008 Farm Bill. In FY2011, USDA selected nine project areas, approving more than 860 grower contracts for camelina, hybrid poplar, warm season grasses and giant miscanthus on almost 50,000 acres. The total investment in those projects is estimated to be $55 million.
In November 2011, Congress passed appropriations for 2012 limiting the total amount of BCAP funding to $17 million, reducing the potential number of projects and investments.
The Request for Proposal and additional information can be found at http://www.fsa.usda.gov/bcap.
To apply for a BCAP grant:
1. Go to www.grants.gov.
2. On the left side of the page, click on “Apply for Grants.”
3. Click on “Download a Grant Application Package.”
4. Type “10.087” in the box with the heading “CFDA Number” and click on “Download Package.”
