Washington Report

A report released in January by a bipartisan group of lawmakers in the House of Representatives outlines a number of policy recommendations for rebuilding and renewing U.S. infrastructure, including ideas to spur investment in water and wastewater systems. The report was authored by members of the bipartisanRead More

By Michael Deane As we reflect upon the first year of the Trump Administration, I would like to offer some insight into recent developments in Washington, D.C., and what we are likely to see in 2018 with respect to water infrastructure funding and reform. ThisRead More

Last week, leading water industry organizations – the American Water Works Association (AWWA), the Water Environment Federation (WEF) and the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA) wrote to Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.) to express concerns about a draft bill that could threaten the future ofRead More

The U.S. Senate has confirmed David P. Ross to serve as the assistant administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Water. Ross was nominated by President Donald J. Trump for the position in September. EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt praised the Senate’s actionRead More

U.S. Congressman Brian Mast (R-Fla.) has introduced the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2017 to extend and double the funding authorization for a critical credit assistance program designed to accelerate investment in our nation’s water infrastructure. The bipartisan bill—co-sponsored by Representatives BobRead More

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of the Army are proposing to amend the effective date of the 2015 rule defining “waters of the United States” (WOTUS). The agencies are proposing that the 2015 rule would not go into effect until two yearsRead More

A comprehensive tax code overhaul passed by the House of Representatives last week, and a similar bill approved by a Senate committee, would preserve the federal tax exemption for municipal bond interest, while eliminating advance refunding. The actions put Congress on track to potentially sendRead More

The House Ways and Means Committee approved a comprehensive tax reform bill by a party line vote last week, sending the measure to the House floor. The full House is expected to consider the bill this week. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (H.R. 1) is the HouseRead More

President Donald Trump has announced Andrew Wheeler as his nominee for EPA Deputy Administrator, the number two position at the agency. Wheeler has an extensive background with environmental law and policy. He started his career with EPA and later worked for Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.),Read More

At a Senate committee hearing on Oct. 4, David Ross, President Trump’s nominee to lead the EPA’s Office of Water, testified on his commitment to working with states and his strong belief in cooperative federalism. Ross commented that, if confirmed, he would ensure the Office of WaterRead More