Water Finance

A group of water sector organizations and technology companies are asking the U.S. Environmental Protections Agency (EPA) to expand Build America, Buy America (BABA) waivers for all EPA-funded water and wastewater infrastructure projects through the end of 2024, AMWA says. The associations and companies areRead More

According to the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA), Sen. Michal Bennet’s (D-Colo.) anticipated legislation would make it easier for water systems to finance full lead service line replacements with tax-exempt bonds. Bennet’s Financing Lead Out of Water (FLOW Act) is almost identical to aRead More

In August, Monroe County Water Authority (MCWA) joined with the New York Power Authority (NYPA), developer Sol Systems, local dignitaries and elected officials to celebrate the completion of its new 5 MW ground-mounted solar array in Penfield with a ‘flip the switch’ ceremony. The projectRead More

By Wayne Hofmann & Rory Ball The fanfare accompanying the passage of the $1.2-trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) might make you believe our industry’s dreams are coming true. After decades of clamor for increased investment in water and sewer infrastructure, the Federal governmentRead More

According to a recent annual peer review for the sector by Fitch Ratings, U.S. water utilities have fared remarkably well post-coronavirus and are withstanding the effects of inflation on operations and capital spending. Operating costs are up across the board after a decline in fiscalRead More

Why It’s Important to Think Strategically, Creatively and Holistically When Working with ARPA, IIJA Funds By Jeff Rowe Utilities are faced with a rare and remarkable opportunity to impact the present-day situation of their users and rate payers while also altering the long-term future ofRead More

The Inflation Reduction Act (H.R. 5376), which Congressional Democrats are calling a major climate change and clean energy bill signed into law by President Joe Biden last week, included several modest provisions designed to respond to the ongoing drought affecting the Western United States. WhileRead More

The Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA), representing large U.S. drinking water systems, submitted a pair of comments this month pertaining to proposed waivers of Build America, Buy America (BABA) requirements for EPA program-funded projects. EPA has previously proposed temporary public interest waivers for projects funded byRead More

By Jason Mumm Utility systems work better at scale. George Westinghouse demonstrated it to the world in 1896 when his company harnessed hydroelectric generating stations at Niagara Falls to power the entire city of Buffalo with alternating current. Compared to Thomas Edison’s direct current, Westinghouse’sRead More

By John Ryan U.S. public infrastructure renewal was never going to be easy, but several current trends suggest that it will soon be even more challenging. Federal infrastructure loan programs are a proven policy tool, and their capabilities should be expanded in specific and practicalRead More