Connectivity Issues: Rural Broadband Development
Thursday, April 14 | 2 p.m. ET/ 1 p.m. CT/ Noon MT/ 11 a.m. PT
In an age of ever increasing internet connectivity speeds around the globe, there unfortunately remain rural areas in the U.S. with little access to these high-speed connections. State legislators from across the country have acknowledged that before any rural development programs can be implemented, high-speed communication in rural areas must be prioritized. How can states and the federal government work together to create economic development opportunities for rural communities so that they may participate fully in the nation’s economy? We explore this and other state broadband plans to achieve high speed connectivity throughout rural America.
Speakers:
- Charles Davidson, director of the Advanced Communications Law and Policy Institute, New York Law School
- Keith Adams, assistant administrator for Rural Utility Services, U.S. Department of Agriculture
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Multi-Sector Public-Private Partnerships: How P3s Can Help Improve Public Infrastructure Needs
Thursday, April 28 | 2 p.m. ET/ 1 p.m. CT/ Noon MT/ 11 a.m. PT
Increasingly, states have turned to new approaches to ensure their public infrastructure is safe and effective. Many states are looking at using use of public-private partnerships (P3s) as one tactic to build, maintain and operate public infrastructure. This webinar will provide insight into NCSL’s policy research and programming surrounding P3s. Participants will hear about new research on the tangible benefits associated with sound P3 enabling statutes.
Speakers:
- Representative Leslie Combs, Kentucky
- Kevin Pula, NCSL Transportation Program
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Is That Safe to Drink? An Examination of State Water Infrastructure
Thursday, May 12 | 2 p.m. ET/ 1 p.m. CT/ Noon MT/ 11 a.m. PT
With the Flint, Mich., water crisis dominating the news, there has been a flurry of activity in both the state and federal government spheres on how to respond to our aging water infrastructure systems throughout the nation. This webinar will discuss state/federal water infrastructure funding/projects, State Revolving Funds and new proposals from Congress as well as reauthorization of current funding mechanisms.
Speakers:
- Joseph Kane, Metropolitan Policy Program, Brookings Institution
- Jim Gebhardt, Water Infrastructure and Resiliency Finance Center, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
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Navigating the FAST Act: Exploring State Highway Safety Incentive Grants
Thursday, May 26 | 2 p.m. ET/ 1 p.m. CT/ Noon MT/ 11 a.m. PT
Join NCSL for an update on the highway safety incentive grants available to the states in the latest transportation reauthorization--The Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act. Title IV of the FAST provides grants to states to advance a number of traffic safety-related programs including occupant protection, impaired driving, drug driving, distracted driving, motorcyclist safety, bike and pedestrian safety and graduated driver’s licenses. This webinar will highlight how the FAST Act includes new, more flexible criteria for states to qualify for this funding and advance highway safety in the coming years.
Speakers:
- Erik Strickland, director of federal relations, Governors Highway Safety Association
- Barbara Sauers, director of the office of grants management and operations, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
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GMOs: A Recipe for a New Label?
Thursday, June 9 | 2 p.m. ET/ 1 p.m. CT/ Noon MT/ 11 a.m. PT
As bioengineered crops continue to make up a larger percentage of the United States' food supply, the question of whether, or even how, to update food labeling requirements continues to be unanswered. With Vermont’s new mandatory labeling requirements set to go into effect on July 1 and Congress debating whether to pre-empt states from requiring such updated labels, join NCSL for a full update on this hearty topic.
Speakers:
- John G. Dillard, associate attorney, OFW Law
- Dr. Fred Gould, co-director, Genetic Engineering and Society Center, North Carolina State University
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The Future of Distributed Solar Energy
Thursday, June 23 | 2 p.m. ET/ 1 p.m. CT/ Noon MT/ 11 a.m. PT
The rapid growth of distributed solar in many states is challenging traditional utility models, rate design, and customer relationships. Policymakers, regulators and utilities are debating the role of solar energy as more consumers adopt the role of energy producer. States have a large array of approaches they can consider to equitably value distributed solar resources. This webinar will explore the debate and potential solutions, including community solar, utility and third-party ownership, net metering, fixed charges and fees and the value of solar.
Speakers:
- Autumn Proudlove, North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center
- Carl Linvill, Regulatory Assistance Project
- Commissioner Nancy Lange, Minnesota Public Utility Commission
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After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.