Media Contacts:
Susie Bruninga, NACWA, (202) 833-3280; (202) 595-4082 (cell); This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Lori Harrison, WEF, (703) 684-2480, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

Alexandria, Va., April 30, 2009 – The National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) and the Water Environment Federation (WEF) invite you to join them for the 2009 National Clean Water Policy Forum, May 4-6. EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson will be the opening speaker Monday morning and will highlight the agency’s clean water priorities. The joint event, at the Renaissance Washington Hotel in Washington, D.C., offers unparalleled access to the latest federal legislative, regulatory, and legal developments in the water quality field as well as the opportunity to hear directly from leaders in the Nation’s capital.

 

The Policy Forum will also feature Nancy Sutley, chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, on Tuesday, May 5. She will discuss CEQ’s role in helping the Obama Administration establish environmental priorities.  In addition, Joseph Romm, editor of climageprogress.org and senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, will provide his perspective on climate change, the prospects for legislation, and potential impacts on the clean water community. Also speaking during the Policy Forum will be Rep. James Oberstar (D-Minn.), chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and Rep. Donna Edwards (D-Md.), member of the T&I Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.

 

The passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act earlier this year is bringing unprecedented attention to clean and safe water programs with billions of dollars available for wastewater projects. Implementation of this new program will be a prominent focus of the Policy Forum as well as giving voice to local and national concerns regarding the future of clean water policy. Other legislative and regulatory issues that will be covered include Clean Water Act jurisdiction, sewer overflow right-to-know, nutrient control, emerging contaminants, and chemical security.

 

The Policy Forum will also include panel discussions from key congressional staff on legislative priorities for the 111th Congress; activists from the NGO community; and office directors from within EPA’s Office of Water. Note to editors: Complimentary registration is available to members of the media. Please contact Susie Bruninga at NACWA or Lori Harrison at WEF for more information.

 

About NACWA
NACWA represents the interests of more than 300 public agencies and organizations that have made the pursuit of scientifically based, technically sound and cost effective laws and regulations their objective. NACWA members serve the majority of the sewered population in the United States and collectively treat and reclaim more than 18 billion gallons of wastewater daily. www.nacwa.org.

About WEF
Formed in 1928, the Water Environment Federation (WEF) is a not-for-profit technical and educational organization with 35,000 individual members and 75 affiliated Member Associations representing water quality professionals around the world. WEF and its Member Associations proudly work to achieve our mission of preserving and enhancing the global water environment.

 

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