2015 Clean Water Current Archive (May-Dec.)

December 2015

December 18	NACWA Scores Key Victories in Congressional Spending Deal EPA Releases Draft Phase II Stormwater Rule Cybersecurity Act Hitches a Ride on Omnibus NACWA Comments on EPA Nutrient Study Congress Asks for IRS Ruling GI on Private Property Paris Climate Accord Reached New Infrastructure Investment Center Announced Web Seminar Addresses Groundwater Jurisdiction and Unpermitted Pollutant Contributors Small & Medium Utility Workgroup Begins Deliberations Interested in Reuse? NAS Releases Report on Stormwater and Graywater
December 11	House Passes Microbead-Free Act of 2015 NACWA Discusses Top Priorities with New Water Office Chief Negotiations on Omnibus Spending Package Continue New Jersey CSO Workshop Prepares Communities for LTCP Process Water Sector Organizations Discuss Collaborative Effort on Affordability NACWA Active at AMWA Water & Climate Forum EPA Solicits NACWA Support for New Center New Legislative Affairs Manager Welcomed NACWA Index Survey Underway – Responses Due December 31
December 4	House Circulates Bipartisan Letter Opposing Great Lakes CSO Legislation NACWA Meets with Air Office Chief on SSI Rule Congress Passes Transportation Reauthorization Package, Includes WIFIA Fix NACWA Active at Megacities Conference in Paris Courts Address Key Clean Water Issues NACWA Asks EPA to Consider Impacts of Root Control Chemical Applications Open for 2016 SIWW Scholarship Program News Media Looks to NACWA for Expert Analysis Public Health, Sustainable Communities Discussed with EPA New NACWA Workgroup Focuses on Small & Medium Sized Utilities Nothing Says “Happy Holidays” Like a Free NACWA Legal Webinar GAO Contacting Utilities on Challenges of Declining Populations

November 2015

November 20	NACWA Weighs in on Microbeads Legislation, House Committee Considers Key Bills Toilets Are Not Trashcans Logo and Webpage Launched Mandatory Cybersecurity Reporting Opposed by NACWA, Other Associations WIN Advocates for WIFIA Fix FDA Finalizes Produce Safety Regulations NSAN Discusses Phase II Rulemaking with Activist Groups NACWA Members Participate in Bio-Contaminated Wastewater Workshop NACWA Brings National Message to Maine Stormwater Conference New Committee Leadership Welcomed EPA Announces Dates for Recreational Waters Conference
November 13	Water Sector Weighs in on Federal Appropriations and WIFIA Modifications NACWA Hosts Meeting to Advance Municipal Stormwater Issues 2016 Winter Conference to Explore Compliance in Context of Innovation, Register Now NACWA Nominates Experts for Coliphage Workshop WSCC Provides Input for White House Resilience Study
November 6	Law Seminar Draws Record Attendance Concerns Raised over use of WET Test Procedure APWA Joins Opposition to Great Lakes Legislation; Contact Your Representatives Today Critical Projects Supporting NACWA’s Advocacy Agenda Approved Dax Blake Appointed to NACWA Board Fall Retreat Focuses on Strategic Advocacy & Finance NACWA Encourages Idaho to Resist EPA Pressure on Human Health Criteria Workshop to Focus on New Jersey CSO Issues City of Cedar Rapids Highlights Collaboration to Address Nutrients NFWF Announces $2.4 Million for 2016 Grant Program

October 2015

October 30	NACWA Files Brief in Blending Litigation Kopocis to Retire, New Water Office Leadership Named Bipartisan Deal Sets up Year End Spending Decisions, Including Great Lakes Legislation Positive Train Control Deadline Extended to 2018 Advisory Committee Considers Water Information Congressional Roundtable Focuses on Infrastructure Needs NACWA Takes Clean Water Message to Arid West, New England Seattle Public Utilities and DC Water Share Lessons Learned Errata to NACWA Financial Survey Published USGS Study Finds Limited Nitrate Improvements in Waters Executive Education Designed Specifically for Utility Leaders
October 23	NACWA Utilities Highlight Public Sector Innovation at American Water Summit NACWA, Water Associations Discuss Report on Low-Income Assistance Programs with EPA Great Lakes Legislation, SRF Funding Restrictions Top Agenda in EPA Water Meeting Clean Power Plan Presents Opportunities for NACWA Members Input Needed for Treasury Department Report Congressional Research Service Report Highlights Integrated Planning, Affordability House Transportation Bill Clears First Hurdle - PTC Extension Included NACWA Hosts Key Stakeholders at Annual ELI Award Dinner
October 16	NACWA Comments on EPA Proposed Enforcement Priorities NACWA Active in Conference of Mayors Meetings SSI Members Discuss Compliance Agreements, More Time to Comply with Air Rules NACWA Talks Clean Water at the 3 Rivers Conference in PA, Receives Strong Media Coverage NACWA Brings National Message to Stormwater Advocacy Network Partner Communications & Public Affairs Committee Discusses Upcoming Survey
October 9	Response Sought from EPA on SSI Petition, Federal Implementation Plan State Stormwater Regulators Respond to NACWA Message NACWA, Great Lakes Communities Collaborate on Public Outreach Federal Appeals Court Stays Clean Water Rule Senate Debates Western Drought Bills Water Sector Urges House Protection of Disinfection Chemical Shipments DC Water Celebrates New Waste-to-Energy System NACWA Finance Workgroup Members Nominated for EFAB Law Seminar Hotel Deadline Extended Until October 22 And the winner is . . .
October 2	Great Lakes CSO Proposal Cost Study Reveals $72 Billion Price Tag; Opposition Grows on Capitol Hill WEFTEC 2015: Water Policy Explored, UOTF Annual Report Released NACWA in the News: AP Focuses on Water Preproposal Comments on Phase II Stormwater Remand Rule NACWA and EPA Discuss Information Request on POTW NESHAP Review Law Seminar Hotel Deadline Only 10 Days Away!! Wastewater Associations and Wipes Manufacturers Discuss Flushability Guidelines Development Continues

September 2015

September 25	Final Rule Requires E-Reporting of NPDES Monitoring Information Opposition to Great Lakes Legislation Broadens Water Sector Requests Extension to Protect Chemical Shipments Watershed RDA Stormwater Petitions Filed Associated Press Planning Water Issues Series NACWA Discusses Stormwater Rulemaking with States 100+ Conservation Groups Urge Funding for Critical Conservation Programs See you in the Windy City for WEFTEC15
September 18	NEORSD Achieves Major Legal Victory on Stormwater NACWA Applauds Inspector General Report on EPA Wet Weather Enforcement NACWA Engaged in White House Resilience Study Philadelphia Hosts GI Practitioner Exchange EPA Holds Briefing on Stormwater Phase II Rule NACWA Participates in Expert Workshop on Aquatic Life Criteria EPA Releases Proposed National Enforcement Priorities NACWA Takes Its Clean Water Message on the Road Clean Water Rule, Great Lakes Legislation & Clean Power Plant Rule Featured on Web Seminar Year at a Glance Showcases NACWA by the Numbers NACWA Realigns Staff to Better Serve Membership
September 11	For Members Only . . . Water Resources Utility of the Future Annual Report Top DOJ Official Confirmed to Keynote 2015 Law Seminar Great Lakes Legislation Garners Increasing Opposition WIN Submits Letters Supporting Restoration of SRF and California Drought Bill Cybersecurity, Other Security Concerns Addressed by WSCC Sen. Brown Announces Plans to Move Forward with Affordability Legislation Initial Feedback Requested on EPA Phase II Stormwater Program Options
September 4	Opposition Mounts to Great Lakes Proposal; NACWA Seeks Meeting with Senator Kirk NACWA Talks Financing, Affordability with GAO State/Regional Organizations Discuss Nutrient Issues with EPA EPA Proposes Ban on Flushing of Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals Communication Committee Takes on Challenges to Utility Outreach Spending Clean Water Agencies’ Collaboration with Agriculture Highlighted in EDF Blog NACWA Blending Survey Deadline Extended

August 2015

August 28	Milwaukee Editorial Weighs In on Great Lakes Legislation Schedule Set in Phase II Stormwater Rulemaking, NACWA to Actively Engage OWL Summit Focuses on Sustainability Imagine a Day Without Water Campaign Launched Registration Open for 2015 Law Seminar National Environmental Achievement Awards Nominations Open EPA to Host EUM Framework Review Webinars
August 21	NACWA Takes Message of Advocacy, Collaboration to California Hagekhalil Calls on Membership to Join Great Lakes Advocacy Efforts WEF, NACWA Collaborate to Comment on EPA’s Coliphage Literature Review Congressional Criticism of Clean Water Rule Continues PWSA Green Infrastructure Grant Program Draws Praise Urgent National Issues the Focus of Legal Webcast WaterFire Artist Seeks to Revitalize Cities
August 14	Great Lakes Overflow Language Tops Agenda at Meeting with EPA Water Chief NACWA Member Utilities Featured in Local Media Series Truly Flushable Wipes Technology Demonstrated Congressional Recess Ideal for Advocacy
August 7	Final Water Quality Standards Rule Contains Several Key Changes EPA, OMB Briefed on Great Lakes Legislation NACWA Supports Nanomaterial Reporting Requirements GAO Report Highlights Importance of Clean Water SRF NACWA Supports CWA Citizen Suit Reform Legislation Clean Power Plan Includes Opportunities for Utilities NACWA Lends Support to Five Cities Plus Conference Dental Amalgam Rule Discussed at Region 6 Pretreatment Workshop Coalition Unveils New Education Campaign & Toolkit

July 2015

July 31	Members, Key Stakeholders Engage Congress in Opposition to CSO, Blending Provisions Utility Leaders Gather to Review Effective Utility Management Attributes NACWA Releases New Financial Survey NACWA President Adel Hagekhalil Feted in Los Angeles NACWA Launches Blending Survey Senate Drought Bill Includes Funds for Recycled Water Projects Association Members Showcased as Game Changers
July 24	Biogas Stakeholders Discuss Barriers & Opportunities with USDA, DOE & EPA NACWA Pushes Back on Sewer Overflow Provisions in Senate Appropriations Bill UOTF-Focused Congressional Caucus Welcomes New Co-Chair NACWA Discusses a New Water Act with Oregon Agencies Upper Occoquan Service Authority Opens its Doors to NACWA Staff
July 17	Hagekhalil Elected NACWA President, New Board Welcomed Board Adopts Resolution Opposing Sewer Overflow Legislation New TAF Projects Focus on Water Quality, Wipes Members Gather for 2015 Utility Leadership Conference & 45th Anniversary Celebration FY 2016 Budgets Approved NACWA Comments Support DC Water Consent Decree
July 10	NACWA Helps Secure Key Litigation Victory for Watershed Approach NACWA Continues to Push Back on Sewer Overflow Prohibition in Proposed Senate FY16 EPA Budget Bill EPA Phase II Rulemaking Activity Discussed at First Meeting of National Stormwater Advocacy Network NACWA Provides Additional Data to EPA for Dental Amalgam Rule Federal Appeals Court Upholds Chicago Consent Decree Senate Transportation Reauthorization Bill Allows Tax-Exempt Financing for WIFIA Projects

June 2015

June 26	Call or Write Your Members of Congress to Oppose Cuts to the SRF Program Senate Appropriations Package Targets Great Lakes CSO Communities NACWA, Water Sector Groups Meet to Discuss Potential Federal Program to Address Water Affordability NACWA Meets with Key Staff to Discuss Drought Legislation and Water Reuse Wipes Flushability Guidelines Development Continues President Obama Re-nominates Kopocis to Head Water Office Work on the UOTF Annual Report Advances
June 19	House and Senate Appropriations Bills Cut SRFs; Senate Bill Seeks Zero Discharge for Great Lakes Association Urges Investment Partnerships for EPA Water Finance Center NACWA Supports FTC Wipes Agreement NACWA Executive Director Honored at DC Event National and Western Organizations Support Huffman Drought Legislation National Water Quality Trading Network Releases New Resource Seminar on Clean Water Rule, RICE Rule & State TMDL Promulgation Garners Record Participation
June 12	NACWA Highlights Implementation Challenges in Comments on SSI Federal Plan NACWA Encourages Members to Comment on FTC Wipes Agreement House Appropriations Subcommittee Approves a 23% Cut to the SRFs What Would You Like to See From EPA’s Water Finance Center? NACWA Submits Environmental Justice Comments; EPA Releases EJSCREEN Tool NACWA Meets with EPA to Discuss Clean Water Rule, Finance Center NACWA Participates in Senate Roundtable on Climate Change Texas Water Groups Bring Message to Washington, Stress Importance of Reuse NACWA Signs Coalition Cybersecurity Bill Letter
June 5	Federal Court Dismisses Challenge to NHSM Rule Western Drought Examined by Senate Committee FY 2016 Association Budgets Presented for Member Comment EPA Releases Environmental Justice Guidance NACWA Advocacy, Member Agencies Get Positive Attention from Key Media Outlets Rhode Island Governor, Tech Guru to Open Utility Leadership Conference

May 2015

May 29	NACWA Releases Annual Index, Charges Increased 4.1% in 2014 NACWA Concerns Addressed in Final Clean Water Rule Media Attention on Wipes Continues; NACWA to Comment FTC Agreement Legal Webinar to Focus on Clean Water Rule, RICE Rule & State TMDL Promulgation
May 22	FTC Announces Settlement Agreement with Wipes Manufacturer NACWA Files Comments on Proposed EPA Rulemakings Water Sector Coordinating Council Meets with Government Partners Federal Task Force on Mississippi River Nutrient Challenge Hears From NACWA NACWA, WERF Host Discussion on Environmental Justice National Advocacy Update Provided at Wet Weather Partnership Meeting Workgroup Considers Draft Reuse Legislation
May 15	During Infrastructure Week: Water Sector Calls for Increased Investment Concerns Raised over EPA’s Tactics in Review of Washington State Standards NACWA Releases Revised Consent Decree Handbook Federal Appeals Court Hears Arguments in Non-Hazardous Secondary Materials Case Integrated Planning, Affordability Top Agenda for Massachusetts Coalition Pretreatment Professionals Meet at Annual Workshop
May 8	NACWA Instrumental Stormwater Legal Victory Association Weighs in to Support Microbead Legislation Conservation Program Funding Supported by NACWA, Others EPA Requests Additional Information from NACWA Dental Amalgam Survey USDA Announces Second Round of RCPP Funding – July 8 Pre-proposal Deadline NACWA Takes Clean Water Message on the Road VoW Coalition Poll: 56% Support Rate Increased for Infrastructure There Are Heroes Among Us
May 1	U.S. Conference of Mayors' Water Council Focuses on Affordability Blending, Integrated Planning Top List of Issues during Meeting with EPA Utility of the Future Annual Report Slated for July Release Energy Workshop Examines Barriers to Increased Production Enforcement Issues Take Center Stage at Consent Decree Workshop Financing Makes the World Go Round

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