News Federal Government Shutdown Continues On December 21, 2018 Congress failed to pass a continuing resolution to ensure federal agencies could continue to operate. Several federal agencies had funding reserves they were permitted to use to stay open for a short time thereafter. On December 28, 2018 EPA closed with approximately 800 “essential” employees still… Read More »
Weekly Wrap
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ACWA Weekly Wrap Vol. IX, Issue 46 (Week of December 17, 2018)
News 2018 Farm Bill Signed This week, President Trump signed the 2018 Farm Bill. The legislation will cost $867 billion over 10 years. Regarding the conservation title, the Conservation Reserve Program will be increased from 24 million acres to 27 million acres, but rental rates will be lowered to 85% of the average county rental… Read More »
ACWA Weekly Wrap Vol. IX, Issue 45 (Week of December 10, 2018)
News EPA and Army Propose New “Waters of the United States” Definition This week, EPA released the pre-publication version of their proposed rule redefining Waters of the United States for purposes of the Clean Water Act. EPA released several documents related to the new rule: The rule text A press release, Several fact sheets: Overview fact… Read More »
ACWA Weekly Wrap Vol. IX, Issue 44 (Week of December 3, 2018)
News Broad Coalition Sends Letter to EPA on Sec. 401 ACWA joined a broad coalition of regional and national organizations in writing to the Office of Water about potential changes to state authority under sec. 401 of the Clean Water Act (CWA). The coalition includes WGA, WSWC, NCSL, ASWM, COG, COG West, AFWA, Conference of… Read More »
ACWA Weekly Wrap Vol. IX, Issue 43 (Week of November 26, 2018)
News WIFIA Program Closes Loan with City of San Diego The WIFIA program has issued its fifth loan to City of San Diego. This loan will bring EPA’s total over $1.5 billion in WIFIA credit assistance. The City of San Diego’s $614 million loan will construct a new advanced treatment facility to produce 30 million… Read More »
ACWA Weekly Wrap Vol. IX, Issue 42 (Week of November 12, 2018)
News ACWA Participates in National Water Sector Workforce Convening This week, ACWA participated in the National Water Sector Workforce Convening at AlexRenew in Alexandria, Virginia, hosted by EPA along with AWWA, WEF, AMWA, NACWA, and WRF. The purpose of the convening was to set the stage for water sector partners to develop a strategy in… Read More »
ACWA Weekly Wrap Vol. IX, Issue 41 (Week of November 5, 2018)
News AA Wheeler Releases Memo on State Oversight of Federal Programs The 2018-2022 EPA Strategic Plan identifies cooperative federalism (Goal 2) as a fundamental priority for the agency with a stated objective (Objective 2.1) to enhance shared accountability between the EPA, state, local and tribal co-regulators in the implementation of federal environmental programs. To address… Read More »
ACWA Weekly Wrap Vol. IX, Issue 40 (Week of October 29, 2018)
News EPA Invites 39 Projects to Apply for WIFIA Loans EPA announced this week that it is inviting 39 projects in 16 states and D.C. to apply for Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loans. Together, the selected borrowers will receive WIFIA loans totaling approximately $5 billion to help finance over $10 billion in… Read More »
ACWA Weekly Wrap Vol. IX, Issue 39 (Week of October 22, 2018)
News America’s Water Infrastructure Act Signed Into Law This week President Trump signed “American’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018“, which authorizes Army Corps of Engineers water resources projects as well EPA-related provisions, into law. The new water resources development legislation authorizes federal funding for water infrastructure projects, expands the country’s water storage capabilities, provides needed resources… Read More »
ACWA Weekly Wrap Vol. IX, Issue 38 (Week of October 15, 2018)
News Vessel Permit Expiration EPA’s 2013 Vessel General Permit is set to expire December 18, 2018 and a new permit has not yet been finalized. EPA will be administratively continuing this permit until the new permit is issued. All owners/operators of vessels covered by the 2013 permit should continue to comply with the terms and… Read More »
ACWA Weekly Wrap Vol. IX, Issue 37 (Week of October 8, 2018)
News EPA Sends Phase I of Final NPDES Updates Rule to OMB for Review On October 9, 2018 EPA sent Phase I of the NPDES Updates Rule to the Office of Management and Budget. EPA initially proposed (May 18, 2016) to update the NPDES regulations in order to eliminate inconsistencies between regulations and application forms,… Read More »
ACWA Weekly Wrap Vol. IX, Issue 36 (Week of October 1, 2018)
News Senate Holds Hearing on HONEST Act The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Subcommittee on Superfund, Waste Management and Regulatory Oversight held a hearing this week on S. 1794 and the EPA proposed rule, titled “Strengthening Transparency in Regulatory Science”. These proposals would allow federal agencies to only rely on studies for which the… Read More »
