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| Conference of New England Governors | |
|---|---|
| Name | Conference of New England Governors |
| Abbreviation | CNEG |
| Formation | 1973 |
| Type | Interstate compact |
| Headquarters | Boston |
| Region served | New England |
| Membership | Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont |
| Leader title | Chair |
Conference of New England Governors is an interstate forum that brings together the chief executives of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont to coordinate regional policy on shared challenges such as coastal resilience, transportation, energy, and public health. The body interfaces with federal institutions like the United States Congress, White House, and federal agencies including the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Transportation (United States), and Department of Homeland Security to advance regional priorities. It also collaborates with multistate and international partners such as the National Governors Association, Council of State Governments, Canadian Provinces, and Northeast Regional Board on cross-border issues.
The Conference traces its roots to postwar regionalism influenced by initiatives like the New England Council and proposals from figures associated with the New Deal era and the Great Society. Early precursors engaged leaders who interacted with national actors such as Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard Nixon, and Jimmy Carter on infrastructure and environmental legislation including the Clean Water Act and Endangered Species Act. Formal coordination increased during energy crises that involved policies tied to the Department of Energy (United States) and events like the 1973 oil crisis. Over successive administrations including those of Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump, the Conference adapted to issues ranging from regional transportation planning linked to projects like the Acela Express and Interstate 95 corridor to climate adaptation strategies responding to storms such as Hurricane Sandy.
Membership comprises the elected chief executives of the six New England states: the governors of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Observers and partners have included state agencies such as the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, Maine Department of Environmental Protection, and quasi-public entities like the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission. The Conference has engaged municipal leaders from cities including Boston, Providence, Hartford, Portland (Maine), Manchester (New Hampshire), and Burlington (Vermont). Nonprofit and academic partners have ranged from The Nature Conservancy and Audubon Society chapters to universities such as Harvard University, Yale University, Brown University, University of Vermont, University of Maine, and University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Leadership rotates among the member governors, with an annual chair who represents the region in meetings with federal officials and multistate coalitions like the Eastern States Governors and the Council of Great Lakes Governors. Executive directors and staff coordinate through liaison offices that interact with legislative counterparts including members of the United States Senate such as former senators from the region like John McCain's contemporaries and representatives linked to committees like the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. The Conference creates working groups on subjects that have involved experts from institutions like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Initiatives have targeted coastal resilience in response to incidents including Hurricane Irene and flooding events tied to Nor'easter storms, with projects leveraging federal programs such as the Community Development Block Grant and proposals influenced by research from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Maine Maritime Academy, and Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory. Energy and transmission projects referenced regional grids like ISO New England and federal statutes relating to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Transportation collaborations have examined corridors linking Amtrak routes and regional airports including Logan International Airport, T. F. Green Airport, and Bradley International Airport. Public health programs have coordinated during outbreaks referenced in federal responses by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state health departments in areas such as opioid policy engagement with organizations like Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
The Conference holds annual plenary sessions hosted in member capitals including Hartford, Augusta (Maine), Boston, Concord (New Hampshire), Providence (Rhode Island), and Montpelier (Vermont), with additional thematic summits co-located with events such as the Americas Competitiveness Forum and regional summits involving bodies like the Northeast Governors' Conference. Agendas often feature testimony from officials from agencies such as the Federal Transit Administration and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration alongside presentations by scholars from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dartmouth College, and Brown University.
Funding has historically combined state contributions, federal grants from programs administered by agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Transportation (United States), and philanthropic support from foundations such as the Kresge Foundation and Rockefeller Foundation. Budget lines have supported staff, working groups, and grant-matching for projects administered with partners including the United States Department of Agriculture on coastal land use planning and with the Economic Development Administration on resiliency investments.
The Conference has faced critiques over priorities and transparency from media outlets such as the Boston Globe and advocacy groups including Sierra Club chapters and regional think tanks like the Pew Charitable Trusts and Northeast-Midwest Institute. Controversies have included disputes over energy policy involving natural gas pipeline siting, alignment with utilities like National Grid (Northeast) and Eversource Energy, and debates about zoning and eminent domain linked to projects on corridors like Interstate 95. Environmental advocates have contested positions taken relative to litigation in venues such as the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit and coordination with federal permitting under statutes enforced by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Category:Politics of New England