3
C
ongress passed and President Obama signed a $1.012 tril-
lion bipartisan spending package that will ease the harsh-
est effects of last year’s automatic budget cuts and guar-
antee the government stays open through October 1. The
package, one of the largest ever passed in Congress, covers the entire
federal discretionary budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2014, including the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Considering the current fiscal climate, EPA fared well and is funded
at $8.2 billion, $143 million less than the FY2013 funding levels. The
same goes for the CleanWater and Drinking Water State Revolving
Funds (SRF), which will receive $1.449 million and $907 million, re-
spectively. These numbers are also slightly reduced from the FY2013
funding levels of $1.465 million and $923 million. NACWA has been
an outspoken advocate for maintaining CleanWater SRF funding and
was pleased to see appropriations for the SRF programs exceed the
President’s 2014 budget request. This is a sign that despite widespread
desire to cut government spending, the value of these programs contin-
ues to be recognized.
Congress also renewed provisions requiring the States to set-aside
a portion of SRF funds for projects related to green infrastructure,
energy efficiency and water efficiency and continued the authority
requiring States to provide additional subsidization with a portion
of their SRF allocation. In addition, Congress also stipulated that
SRF-funded projects comply with Buy American provisions requir-
ing that products consisting primarily of iron and steel are made in
America. Unfortunately, the funding request for pilot projects under
EPA’s Integrated Planning initiative was not included in the pack-
age. NACWA will debrief with appropriations staff soon to determine
whether pursuing this request for next fiscal year is feasible.
NACWA will continue to track developments on the budget closely.
For questions or more information on the FY2014 discretionary spend-
ing levels for EPA programs NACWAmonitors, please contact
or
FY2014 Budget Passes,
Funds the SRFs Above President’s Request
2
NACWA, the Water Environment Federation (WEF), and the Water
Environment Research Foundation (WERF) are joining forces to pres-
ent the
National Water Policy Forum&Fly-
In
, April 7 - 9, 2014, at the Capitol Hilton
inWashington, D.C. The anchor event of
Water Week 2014, the
Policy Forum&Fly-
In
, will bring together water and wastewa-
ter professionals from across the country
to meet withMembers of Congress and
federal regulators to share perspectives on federal clean water policy.
The two and a half day agenda features Congressional speakers, policy
briefings, visits to Capitol Hill, and roundtable dialogues with key poli-
cymakers.
On April 9, Congress will host a Water Infrastructure & Innovation
Expo. Part of Water Week 2014, the Expo will provide an opportunity
for Members of Congress, congressional staff,
federal agency employees, and the public to visit
booths and displays of major water associations,
federal agencies, foundations, technology innova-
tion organizations, and engineering firms.
WithWater Policy Forum& Fly-In registration set
at $250 - and Expo events free - we anticipate participation from across
the country and a huge presence inWashington and on Capitol Hill.
Additional information about Water Week 2014 will soon be available
For registration information about the
Policy Forum
&Fly-In
visit our
.
Leading Sector Organizations to Host
Water Policy Forum & Fly-In
