Problem In Massachusetts, it’s currently easier to build a large fossil-fuel energy facility than to get a permit to produce wind energy. Other New England states have more predictable siting laws, making them more attractive to developers. Solution The Wind Siting Reform Act streamlines the permitting process for wind energy […]Barry Finegold | Senator | Andover, MA

Problem Like many older industrial cities, Flint is left with contaminated and abandoned brownfield sites from old factories. These unused sites have been a major impediment to the redevelopment of Flint’s downtown area, negatively affecting the quality of life and economic value of surrounding communities. Unfortunately, the high costs of […]Dayne Walling | Former Mayor | Flint, MI 2014 Challenge Finalist

Problem Across the country, counties are losing millions of acres of farmland to urban sprawl each year, resulting in limited crop production and diminished economic growth for these communities who depend on farmland as a primary economic source. Solution In 2000, Senator Unger sponsored legislation that created the Voluntary Farmland […]John Unger | Senate Minority Leader | Martinsburg, WV

Problem States across the Western region vary in their access to and use of renewable energy sources. Many states continue to rely heavily on fossil power-plants, with high pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Other states, such as California, have excess renewable energy sources during parts of the day, but lack […]Robert Hertzberg | Senator | Los Angeles, CA 2015 Challenge Winner