News ACWA Joins Coalition in Offering Potential Sec. 401 Process Improvements ACWA, along with WGA, NCSL, ASWM, WSWC and CSG West, developed a set of potential section 401 process improvements to share with EPA and other federal agencies as they consider efforts to modify or reform state water quality certification authority under the CWA. The… Read More »
News and Updates
ACWA Weekly Wrap Vol. X, Issue 6 (Week of February 11, 2019)
News EPA, Army Corps Publish Proposed Rule Redefining WOTUS On Thursday, February 14th, EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers published the long-anticipated official proposed rule redefining WOTUS in the Federal Register. That also means the 60-day comment period began Thursday – you can submit comments on regulations.gov here. The proposed rule as published is substantively identical to… Read More »
ACWA Weekly Wrap Vol. X, Issue 5 (Week of February 4, 2019)
News Committee Approves Wheeler’s Appointment The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works voted to advance Wheeler’s Nomination to Administrator of the EPA on a 11-10 party line vote. His nomination now goes to the Senate floor. The Democrats are critical of Wheeler’s ties to the coal industry. Wheeler is expected to be confirmed. The… Read More »
ACWA Weekly Wrap Vol. X, Issue 4 (Week of January 28, 2019)
News EPA Release 2018 Year in Review This week EPA released a report outlining its accomplishments for 2018 and outlines its policy agenda for the coming year. The report includes updates enforcement numbers, summaries of the past year’s regulatory and deregulatory activities and outlines key policy priorities for the coming year. Trump Signs Executive Order… Read More »
ACWA Weekly Wrap Vol. X, Issue 3 (Week of January 21, 2019)
News Senate EPW Sets Date for Wheeler Confirmation Vote The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee is set to vote on Acting Administrator Wheeler for EPA Administrator on February 5th. Wheeler had his confirmation hearing on January 16th. The Ranking Member and Chairman agreed to delay the committee vote until February to allow for enough… Read More »
ACWA Weekly Wrap Vol. X, Issue 2 (Week of January 14, 2019)
News Senate EPW Holds Confirmation Hearing for Acting Administrator Wheeler EPA Acting Administrator Wheeler had his confirmation hearing in front of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. Climate change was the main focus of the hearing, with many democrats pressing Wheeler on his commitment to addressing climate change. Chairman Borasso and Ranking Member… Read More »
ACWA Weekly Wrap Vol. X, Issue 1 (Week of January 7, 2019)
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 »
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 »
