The City of Santa Fe won an EPA grant of $150,000 this year, to boost stormwater plans which are in line with “Utility of the Future (UOTF)” ideals, and propel the city onto the forefront of wet weather and Small Municipal Storm Water NPDES permit management.

The Senate confirmed Scott Pruitt to lead the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on February 17 by a vote of 52-46, and he was sworn in as the Agency’s 14th Administrator later that day.

NACWA met with Andrew Sawyers, Director of the Office of Wastewater Management (OWM), and most of the office’s senior management on February 14, to discuss a range of issues, including water finance, stormwater and affordability.

The role of municipal tax-exempt bonds to fund needed infrastructure investments is at risk as some Congressional leaders propose to eliminate the tax-exempt status of municipal bonds in an effort to reform the tax code and lower corporate tax rates.

The Maryland Senate Committee on Education, Health, & Environmental Affairs held a hearing on Senate Bill 280, Nonwoven Disposable Products – Advertising and Labeling, on February 14.

Have you registered yet for the 2017 National Water Policy Fly-In? With a new Administration and Congress, it is more important than ever that policy makers hear directly from you about the clean water challenges facing your utility and your community!

NACWA joined the American Water Works Association (AMWA), the Water Environment Federation (WEF) and the WateReuse Association in submitting comments last week to EPA on two key implementation rules for the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA).

The environmental and consumer advocacy organization, Food and Water Watch (FWW), filed a recent legal action calling into question the legality of water quality trading.

On Tuesday, March 7, from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm ET, NACWA, the Water Environment Federation (WEF), the WateReuse Association, the Water Environment & Reuse Foundation (WE&RF), and the Water Research Foundation (WRF) are hosting a no-cost webcast for attendees and anyone interested in attending the 2017 National Water Policy Fly-In in Washington, DC (March 21-22).

NACWA submitted two requests last week to EPA for extended comment deadlines on proposals impacting the municipal clean water community.

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW) held its first oversight hearing of the year on February 8, with a focus on “Modernizing our Nation’s Infrastructure.”

NACWA participated in the Utility Executives Committee meeting at the annual conference of the New York Water Environment Association (NYWEA) in New York City last week, connecting with one of the Association’s key regional partners and providing a national advocacy perspective to the discussion.

NACWA presented at the American Law Institute’s (ALI) 47th Annual Environmental Law Conference in Washington, DC on February 10.