Washington Report

Lawmakers fail to bring infrastructure bill to vote by deadline

Lawmakers fail to bring infrastructure bill to vote by deadline

October 4, 2021 at 8:08 am 0 comments

The Sept. 30 deadline for the House of Representatives to vote on a bipartisan $550 billion infrastructure bill came and went last week without a resolution. The no vote on the infrastructure package comes as Congressional Democrats continue to negotiate the terms of a separate, potentially multi-trillionRead More

WEF honors individuals, orgs for service and contributions

WEF honors individuals, orgs for service and contributions

October 4, 2021 at 7:00 am 0 comments

The Water Environment Federation (WEF) has proudly announced the 2021 WEF Awards recipients for individuals and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to the sustainability of water resources and made a profound impact on the future of the water profession. “Long-term resilience for the world’sRead More

old pipe

House proposes additional $30 billion for lead service line replacement

September 13, 2021 at 8:50 am 0 comments

House Democrats are proposing an additional $30 billion in federal funds for lead service line replacement efforts nationwide, a figure that would be in addition to $15 billion for lead service line replacements that was included in the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) approved by the SenateRead More

EPA announces $25 million in WIIN grants

EPA announces $25 million in WIIN grants

August 30, 2021 at 8:10 am 0 comments

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the availability of $25 million in Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act grants to help improve drinking water. EPA says it is committed to ensuring that all Americans, especially those living in small towns andRead More

EPA receives 50 new requests for WIFIA funding totaling $8.2 billion

EPA receives 50 new requests for WIFIA funding totaling $8.2 billion

August 19, 2021 at 8:51 am 0 comments

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has received 50 letters of interest in response to the agency’s 2021 Notices of Funding Availability. Requests totaling $8.2 billion exceed the agency’s $6.5 billion in available financing and highlight widespread needs for water infrastructure upgrades to benefit communities across theRead More

Senate passes infrastructure bill with major SRF increases

Senate passes infrastructure bill with major SRF increases

August 12, 2021 at 3:45 pm 0 comments

On Tuesday, the U.S. Senate passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act after months of bipartisan negotiations between the Biden Administration and a bipartisan group of Senators. The legislative package contains $550 billion in new spending, of which $55 billion will go toward clean andRead More

Infrastructure bill moves forward in Senate

Infrastructure bill moves forward in Senate

August 9, 2021 at 7:00 am 0 comments

The U.S. Senate worked into the weekend on a massive infrastructure bill that promises to spend an additional $550 billion on infrastructure over five years, including $48.4 billion focused on drinking water and wastewater programs at the U.S. EPA. As of Friday, the measure appearedRead More

House passes PFAS Action Act, but there’s one problem

House passes PFAS Action Act, but there’s one problem

July 26, 2021 at 10:10 am 1 comment

Last week, the House of Representatives approved legislation that would require the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish national drinking water standards for regulating harmful forever chemicals, known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), that are linked to kidney, liver and other health problems.Read More

Biden administration, Senators agree on bipartisan infrastructure framework

Biden administration, Senators agree on bipartisan infrastructure framework

June 28, 2021 at 10:11 am 0 comments

The Biden administration and a bipartisan group of senators last week reached agreement on a $1.2 trillion “Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework” that could set the stage for a massive new investment in the nation’s infrastructure, according to the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA). According toRead More

Senate confirms Fox to lead EPA’s Office of Water

Senate confirms Fox to lead EPA’s Office of Water

June 17, 2021 at 3:44 pm 0 comments

The Senate voted on Wednesday to confirm Radhika Fox as the new Assistant Administrator for Water at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Her nomination was confirmed by a vote of 55-43. Fox served as CEO of the nonprofit US Water Alliance since 2015 untilRead More