Washington Report

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

House approves EPA spending bill

House approves EPA spending bill

Washington Report, Water Finance July 23, 2018 at 11:00 am

The House of Representatives has approved FY19 appropriations legislation that would provide funding for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) next year. The bill as approved by the House would facilitate billions of dollars’ worth of low-cost water infrastructure loans. The bill, an Interior and EnvironmentRead More

Senate hearing avoids SRF WIN details, AMWA says

Senate hearing avoids SRF WIN details, AMWA says

According to the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA) in its Monday Morning Briefing for July 16, things got heated on Capitol Hill last week when supporters of the proposed SRF WIN Act clashed with committee members over the bill during a Senate Environment andRead More

Pruitt out at EPA as scandals mount

Pruitt out at EPA as scandals mount

Washington Report, Water Finance July 9, 2018 at 11:15 am

Scott Pruitt is out as the nation’s top environmental chief. President Donald J. Trump announced in a July 5 tweet he has accepted Pruitt’s resignation as administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The news comes amid growing controversy over ethical questions regarding Pruitt. TrumpRead More