6
Utility of the Future
UOTF Legislation Being Drafted
In line with these priority actions, NACWA will be crafting stand-
alone legislation focused on ensuring incentives for UOTF-type activ-
ities, while also removing barriers to the broader adoption of related
initiatives and approaches. The Association is also working to iden-
tify key leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives to form a Water
Technology & Innovations Caucus that would spotlight municipal
and private sector UOTF efforts and promote these nationally.
At the same time, NACWA continues to work closely with WEF and
WERF to coordinate respective UOTF-related initiatives in the ad-
vocacy, communications/outreach and research arenas and will be
ensuring their respective members and key audiences are updated
regularly of key developments as they occur.
NACWA’s
Water Resources
calls upon Congress, the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, and other key federal agencies to rethink their relationship to the water sector by taking the
following steps:
1. Support a Congressional Clean Water Technology & Innovation
Caucus that can bring a focus UOTF priority issues.
2. Refocus existing federal grant programs to support UOTF ini-
tiatives.
3. Create a program for early stage technology and innovation in-
vestment for the water sector similar to programs that exist in
the energy sector.
4. Develop, clarify, and expand tax credit and incentive programs
that will encourage clean water agencies and their private sec-
tor partners to engage in UOTF-related activities, especially in
energy conservation and production, water reuse, resource re-
covery, and green infrastructure.
5. Support statutory changes to the Clean Water Act and Safe
Drinking Water Act that bolster the important role recycled wa-
ter can play in public health and safety.
6. Support an Executive Order on water reuse/recycling that co-
ordinates federal reuse policies and programs, and stimulates
innovation.
7. Develop an intergovernmental partnership to address water
sector adaptation and resiliency needs in the face of changing
weather patterns.
8. Create and support market-based approaches to efficiently and
more equitably address watershed-scale water quality chal-
lenges.
9. Ensure that the implementation of the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency’s Integrated Planning & Permitting
Framework fully accounts for UOTF-type activities.
10. Consider and explore a new 21st Century Watershed Act that
can drive the water sector toward the emerging UOTF model.
National Environmental Policy Forum
Highlights Legislative Efforts
NACWA’s 2013
National Environmental Policy Forum
in April and
highlighted the latest legislative, regulatory, and legal developments
in Washington, D.C. Attendees heard from key water sector leaders
from the Administration and Congress providing a detailed look at the
status of NACWA’s priority policy issues including financial capability,
infrastructure funding, stormwater management, nutrient pollution,
integrated planning and a vision for the water resources utility of the
future. At NACWA’s Capitol Hill Congressional Reception, Senator
Boozman (R-AR), Representative Tim Bishop (D-NY), at the podium
(left)
and Representative Bob Gibbs (R-OH)
(looking on)
provided
remarks on their clean water priorities in Congress.
