Editor’s Notes:

💉 CDC’s Updates Vaccine Recommendation for Children and Toddlers

👮 DHS Releases 2024 Homeland Threat Assessment (HTA)

🤖 DHS Announces New AI Policies (Artificial Intelligence)

🌳 USDA Awards Over $1 Billion for Urban and Community Forestry

⚒️ DOI Releases Mining Reform Recommendations on U.S. Public Lands

🦤 $90 Million for Wetland and Endangered Species Conservation

🔌 $100M for EV Charging Infrastructure Repairs and Expansion

🛣️ $80M for Highway Safety and Truck Parking

🚚 $48M for CDL Training Process Streamlining

🏦 Ginnie Mae’s Introduces “Social Bond” for Mortgage-Backed Securities

[End of Editor’s Notes]

Find the full press releases on our homepage, updated almost daily:

Health Care

CDC’s Updated Vaccine Recommendation

• CDC recommends updated COVID-19 vaccine for all aged six months and up.

• HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra supports the recommendation.

• FDA approved updated mRNA vaccines on September 11, 2023.

• First-time vaccines available for COVID-19, RSV, and flu simultaneously.

• Studies by CDC show vaccines reduce risk of symptomatic COVID-19, hospitalizations.

• Vaccines remain free for most Americans.

Public Health Emergency Declared for Georgia Due to Hurricane

• HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra has declared a Public Health Emergency (PHE) for Georgia.

• Declaration addresses the health impacts of Hurricane Idalia.

• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) providers receive flexibility for beneficiaries.

• Collaborative efforts with state, local health authorities, and federal partners emphasized.

• Secretary Becerra’s actions retroactive to August 30, 2023.

• Additional PHE info is available at the ASPR HHS website.

Energy

$25M Awarded for Clean Energy to Communities Program

• DOE pledges $25 million via Clean Energy to Communities (C2C) program.

• Six community teams will begin to develop decarbonization strategies.

• Funding: $8 million award, $17 million technical assistance.

• The goal of the funding is to introduce reliable, local-focused clean energy systems.

• C2C aims to help communities make informed energy decisions.

• Focus areas: renewable energy, mobility, grid, buildings.

New DOE Appointees and Role Changes

• New Appointees:

  • Chakeia Blocker: Regional Intergovernmental and External Affairs Specialist, Mid-Atlantic.

  • Ruby Goldberg: Regional Intergovernmental and External Affairs Specialist, Midwest.

  • Royce Kim: Regional Intergovernmental and External Affairs Specialist, New England.

  • Christina Nuñez Cohen: Regional Specialist for Alaska and Special Projects.

  • Rory Stanley: Chief of Staff, Office of Nuclear Energy.

  • Satchel Tsai: Special Assistant, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

• Current Appointees Promoted:

  • Emily Doran: Chief of Staff, Grid Deployment Office.

  • Jeff Marootian: Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy.

  • Paige Nygaard: Special Assistant, Office of the Secretary.

  • Narayan Subramanian: Advisor to the Secretary for Clean Energy Projects and Supply Chains.

2023 Clean Energy Education and Empowerment Awardees

• DOE announces winners of 2023 C3E Awards, 11 women honored.

• C3E Initiative promotes female participation in clean energy fields.

• Initiative collaboration includes DOE, MIT Energy Initiative, Stanford, Texas A&M Energy Institute.

• U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm commends awardees.

• Awardees recognized for advancing access, expanding markets, research, workforce training.

• Lifetime Achievement Honoree spotlighted for policy advancements, role model status.

Agriculture & Rural Development

USDA Awards Over $1B for Urban and Community Forestry

• U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service allocates over $1 billion in grants.

• Purpose: tree planting/maintenance, combatting heat and climate change, and urban nature access.

• Funding covers communities in all 50 states, DC, U.S. Territories, and Tribal Nations.

• Grants part of Justice40 Initiative, enabled by the Inflation Reduction Act.

• 385 grant proposals selected from multiple entities promoting equitable nature access.

• Urban and Community Forestry Program focuses on urban forest enhancement and expansion.

• Forest Service received 842 applications requesting a total of $6.4 billion.

One-Year of USDA Climate-Smart Commodities Market

• One-year anniversary celebrated of the program’s initial project selection.

• Projects promote climate-smart practices among diverse farmers, ranchers, landowners.

• USDA invests over $3.1 billion for 141 projects.

• Projects span up to five years.

• Aims include technical assistance, greenhouse gas benefits quantification, market development.

D-SNAP Assistance Available for Hawaii Wildfire Victims

• USDA introduces D-SNAP for low-income Hawaii residents affected by August 8, 2023, wildfires.

• Around 16,000 households might qualify for D-SNAP, even if ineligible for regular SNAP.

• Vilsack stresses USDA’s commitment to providing essential food assistance post-wildfire.

• Eligibility: households must live/work in disaster area and meet D-SNAP criteria.

• Eligible households get one-month of benefits to buy groceries at SNAP-approved outlets.

• Maui Island’s application period: September 18, 2023 – September 23, 2023.

Interior & Public Lands

Recommendations to Reform Mining on U.S. Public Lands

• Interagency Working Group on Mining Laws (IWG) unveils final report.

• Aims: Modernize Mining Law of 1872, enhance environmental and labor standards.

• Report addresses clean energy demand for responsibly sourced critical minerals.

• President Biden’s Executive Order 14017 initiated critical mineral supply chain review.

• IWG to ensure sustainable, responsibly sourced mineral supply aligning with national goals.

• Report contains over 60 recommendations, such as enhancing public and Tribal engagement.

• Also suggests revamping mining technologies and addressing abandoned mining sites.

• Calls for Congress and various stakeholders to transition to a new leasing system.

• Immediate recommendations include best practices for engagement and enhanced permitting processes.

• Encourages mining companies to follow best practices for transparency and community involvement.

• Anticipates rise in mining planning; recommends investment in training and resources.

• Performance metric for permitting timelines to be set by Interior and Agriculture Departments within 90 days.

$50.6M Approved for Wetland Conservation Projects

• The Department of the Interior has approved over $50.6 million for wetland conservation.

• Funds aim to benefit 106,600 acres of U.S. wetlands and habitats.

• $39.4 million allocated to NAWCA grants, matched by $74.1 million in partner funds.

• $11.24 million approved from the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund.

• Conservation aims to align with the America the Beautiful initiative.

• Service Director Williams stresses wetland importance for birds.

• Since 1991, the Commission has approved $6.4 billion for wetland conservation.

• Duck Stamps and import duties fuel the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund.

DOI Announces $40.6M for Endangered Species Conservation

• $40.6 million granted to 10 states, U.S. Virgin Islands, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

• Covers 7,200 acres, supports 65 listed/at-risk species.

• Additional $17.6 million from partner funds.

• Funded partially by the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

• CESCF grants vital for conservation on non-federal lands.

• $36.6 million will fund the acquisition and permanent protection for 10 projects over 7,200 acres.

• Extra $3.9 million for Conservation Planning Assistance Grant Program.

First DOI IYSC Grants for Indigenous Youth Projects

• The Department of the Interior has allocated $3.5 million in 2023 IYSC grants.

• Eight projects involving over 20 Tribes and Tribal organizations benefitting.

• IYSC aims to support conservation/protection of various resources via Indigenous youth participation.

• Participants gain work experience, education, training, life skills, and mentorship.

• IYSC governed by Departments of Interior, Agriculture, Commerce; developed with Indian Tribes and other stakeholders.

Transportation

$100M to Repair and Expand EV Charging Infrastructure

• USDOT announces Electric Vehicle Charger Reliability and Accessibility Accelerator.

• Up to $100 million has been allocated to repair/replace non-operational EV charging stations.

• NEVI Formula Program sets 10% grants for states/localities to enhance EV infrastructure.

• Initial estimates suggest that $100 million will cover all repair or replacement costs of eligible projects.

• AFDC data on September 11, 2023: 4.1% of 151,506 public charging ports temporarily unavailable.

• Applications for funding opportunity due November 13, 2023.

USDOT Awards $80M for Highway Safety and Truck Parking

• FMCSA announces over $80 million in grants to reduce commercial motor vehicle crashes, improve trucker support.

• 65% increase in truck parking project funding.

• Automated driver alerts for upcoming work zones initiated.

• Electronic tech for vehicle violations enhanced.

USDOT Announces $48M for CDL Training

• USDOT’s FMCSA announces $48 million in grants to increase CDL training and streamline the process for obtaining a CDL.

• The goal is to improve national supply chain and strengthen trucking workforce.

• $44 million allocated for CDL Program Implementation (CDLPI) grant.

• CDLPI grant aids in faster CDL issuance, renewals, and data exchange.

• Safety measures and human trafficking education for CDL drivers incorporated.

• Funded projects: Hiring personnel, CDL reporting, training examiners, etc.

• $3 million from Infrastructure Law boosts Commercial Motor Vehicle Operator Safety Training (CMVOST) grant.

• CMVOST targets training for veterans, underserved communities, and refugees.

• FMCSA Administrator Robin Hutcheson stresses importance of diversifying driver pool.

Homeland Security

DHS Releases 2024 Homeland Threat Assessment (HTA)

• 2024 Homeland Threat Assessment (HTA) identifies high risk of foreign and domestic terrorism.

• Annual HTA replaces the National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) for sharing terrorism threat levels.

• NTAS advisories now for specific or imminent threats.

• 2024 HTA key findings:

  • High threat from US-radicalized individuals; lone or small group attacks.

  • Foreign terrorist groups, e.g. al-Qa’ida and ISIS, seek to rebuild overseas.

  • Border and immigration challenges are expected to persist.

  • Increased supply of lethal fentanyl variations anticipated.

  • Misinformation from foreign states to continue, undermining trust.

  • Adverse nations use economic tactics, espionage, and cyber-attacks against U.S. economy.

DHS Announces New AI Policies and Appointments

• DHS reveals new AI policies developed by the Artificial Intelligence Task Force (AITF).

• AI is already used by DHS for several tasks, including countering child exploitation and supply chain security.

• Policies focus on responsible use, extensive testing, and oversight, especially regarding face recognition.

• Eric Hysen has been appointed as the first Chief AI Officer.

• Hysen stresses the need for AI to be non-discriminatory and lawful.

• Policy Statement 139-06 provides principles for AI acquisition and use by DHS, conforming to Executive Order 13960.

• Directive 026-11 sets strict guidelines for face recognition tech use, including unbiased testing and opt-out options for U.S. citizens.

Public & Affordable Housing

Ginnie Mae’s New “Social Bond” for Mortgage Backed Securities

• Ginnie Mae introduces its “Social Bond” label for prospectuses for Single-Family Forward Mortgage-Backed Securities (MBS).

• The organization also released the Social Impact and Sustainability Framework, emphasizing the social impact of its initiatives.

• The changes aim to boost investor awareness and potentially attract new capital.

• The updated prospectus underscores Ginnie Mae’s efforts to enhance mortgage financing access for historically underserved communities.

• Investors can now identify Ginnie Mae MBS as “Social Bonds” — indicating that the collateral supports positive social and affordable housing outcomes.

• Effective from October 1, 2023, Ginnie Mae will include a Social Bond Label section in its prospectuses for Single-Family Forward MBS.

HUD Announces $18M For Green and Resilient Retrofit Program

• HUD awards $18 million under Green and Resilient Retrofit Program (GRRP).

• GRRP focuses on energy efficiency, generation, and climate resilience in multifamily housing.

• 28 multifamily properties, over 3,400 HUD-Assisted rental homes benefitting.

• Upgrades include solar panels, heating/cooling systems, window replacements.

• Technologies invested in: geothermal systems, heat pumps, resistant roofing, low carbon materials.

• First GRRP award round; more expected in 2023 and 2024.

HUD Funding for Foster Youth to Independence Initiative

• HUD provides $800,000 to 18 PHAs in 12 states for 84 vouchers.

• Part of Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) initiative.

• Vouchers target former foster youths, aged 18-24, at risk of homelessness.

• Vouchers are non-competitive, awarded on rolling basis.

• Funding is part of a collaborative effort between PHAs, public child welfare agencies, community organizations.

• Details on eligibility in PIH Notice 2023-04.

HUD Awards $10M in Safety and Security Grants

• HUD allocates $10 million to 56 PHAs for capital improvements enhancing safety.

• Funds support crime prevention, CO detectors, smoke detectors, fire alarms, and more.

• HUD’s Capital Fund Emergency Safety and Security Program provides the funds.

• Uses: Installation/repair of security systems, lighting, alarms, locks, doors, etc.

HUD Awards $8M for Native American Homeless Assistance

• HUD awards 29 Tribal HUD-VASH renewal awards, totaling $8,588,580.

• Aimed at assisting Native American Veterans at risk of homelessness.

• The program offers rental aid from HUD and services from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

• Over 440 Native American Veterans currently benefit from this program.

• Since the program’s start, more than 1,000 Native American Veterans received assistance.

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