Washington Report

Top drinking water official at EPA retiring

Top drinking water official at EPA retiring

Washington Report, Water Management December 6, 2018 at 3:46 pm

Last month, Dr. Peter Grevatt, director of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water (OGWDW), announced his retirement from the agency after more than 30 years of service. Grevatt first joined EPA’s Office of Water in 2002 as the Acting DirectorRead More

Trump signs industry-backed, bipartisan water infrastructure bill

Trump signs industry-backed, bipartisan water infrastructure bill

Washington Report, Water Finance October 24, 2018 at 11:00 am

America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 was signed into law by President Donald J. Trump on Tuesday. The U.S. water infrastructure sector is lauding it as an important step forward in the nation’s efforts to fund the renewal of aging water infrastructure. The measure movedRead More

EPA recognizes 2018 WaterSense partners

EPA recognizes 2018 WaterSense partners

Washington Report, Water Management October 8, 2018 at 6:00 am

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is honoring 20 water utilities, manufacturers, builders and organizations for protecting the environment by creating and promoting WaterSense-labeled fixtures, homes and programs. EPA’s WaterSense partners have helped Americans save more than 2.7 trillion gallons of water and $63.8 billionRead More

Trump calls out ‘clean water’ at Minnesota rally

Trump calls out ‘clean water’ at Minnesota rally

Washington Report October 5, 2018 at 2:38 pm

On Thursday, President Donald Trump voiced his desire for America to have “clean water” during a campaign-style rally in Rochester, Minnesota. Despite several calls for infrastructure investment since being elected, the president – similar to past presidents – rarely addresses drinking water or wastewater issues,Read More

WSSC names new inspector general

Washington Report, Water Management September 24, 2018 at 10:45 am

Commissioners at the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) have announced the selection of Arthur A. Elkins, Jr., as inspector general. Since 2010, Elkins has served as inspector general for both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board.Read More

New water funding authorized under massive House bill

New water funding authorized under massive House bill

Public Utility Finance, Washington Report, Water Finance September 17, 2018 at 10:25 am

The House of Representatives unanimously approved a significant water policy bill that includes a number of industry priorities on drinking water and other provisions impacting water infrastructure funding. America’s Water Infrastructure Act, bill S. 3021, combines two versions of Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) legislation developedRead More

Where Do Major Reform Efforts Stand Following Pruitt’s Exit from EPA?

Where Do Major Reform Efforts Stand Following Pruitt’s Exit from EPA?

Washington Report August 22, 2018 at 7:00 am

By Mike Keegan On July 5, President Donald Trump tweeted that U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt had resigned from his position as the head of the agency. The acting administrator is now Andrew Wheeler, who previously served as deputy administrator. Wheeler hasRead More

WIFIA receives record number of requests for loans; AWWA applauds program success

WIFIA receives record number of requests for loans; AWWA applauds program success

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program has received a record 62 letters of interest requesting $9.1 billion in credit assistance. “The more than $9 billion in WIFIA loans requested is nearly double ourRead More

Senate passes spending bill including EPA funding

Senate passes spending bill including EPA funding

Washington Report, Water Finance August 15, 2018 at 8:08 am

Earlier in August, the U.S. Senate overwhelmingly approved FY19 appropriations legislation that would provide level funding for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and its water infrastructure financing programs next year. The minibus, approved by a 92-6 vote, joined together four bills, including the fiscal 2019 EPA-InteriorRead More

Proposed infrastructure plan would increase WIFIA appropriations

Proposed infrastructure plan would increase WIFIA appropriations

Washington Report, Water Finance July 30, 2018 at 12:01 pm

As part of a draft infrastructure bill released last week by House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-Pa.), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program would be reauthorized at $250 million over five years. According toRead More