Clean Water Current Archive

November 21, 2008

NACWA Web Seminar to Examine Impacts & Opportunities from Economic Downturn

NACWA will convene interested Public Agency Members for a free web seminar on December 11 from 2:00 – 3:00 pm Eastern Time to explore the impacts and potential opportunities for nation’s clean water agencies resulting from the ongoing economic downturn.  The Economic Downturn – Impacts & Opportunities will feature two municipal finance experts who will provide their perspectives on the issue.  John Friar, executive professor of entrepreneurship at Northeastern University in Boston, Mass., will provide a preview of the findings of a white paper he is developing for NACWA which examines and analyzes how public wastewater utilities have been impacted thus-far by the economic downturn.  NACWA’s recent questionnaire on key impacts at the utility level has helped to inform and advise this effort.  Tom Paolicelli, Executive Director of the New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority, and formerly with one of the nation’s largest bond rating agencies, will provide a frontline municipal finance perspective.  While the lending markets seem to be in a tailspin, Mr. Paolicelli believes that there may be significant opportunities for municipalities after the dust settles.

Registration for The Economic Downturn – Impacts & Opportunities web seminar is complimentary and available only to NACWA Public Agency Members.  Space is limited – so interested utilities should register without delay at www.nacwa.org.

This important web seminar provides a preview of the more in-depth discussions that will take place at NACWA’s 2009 Winter Conference, Controlling Chaos:  Managing Capital Costs in an Uncertain Economic Environment, taking place in Atlanta, February 3-6.  An exceptional program is planned.  Registration information for the 2009 Winter Conference is now available at www.nacwa.org/09winter.  A narrative agenda and additional information will be posted next week.

NACWA Seeks Additional Clean Water Funding in Economic Stimulus Bill

NACWA ramped up efforts this week to broaden support in Congress for a strong wastewater infrastructure component in the second economic stimulus package – with its growing list of ready-to-go projects providing compelling evidence of the need to proceed.  On Monday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Robert C. Byrd (D-W.Va.) released a draft $100.3 billion economic recovery package that includes $1.75 billion in funding for wastewater provided through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF).  The House stimulus bill (H.R. 7110) meanwhile, had $6.5 billion for wastewater projects, also through the CWSRF.  NACWA has urged both Senate and House to increase this number to $10 billion and make it available in the form of grants.  The Association is concerned that this deference to states in prioritizing stimulus funding could result in the unintended consequence of rendering municipalities that made the legitimate decision to fund projects through the bond market or through other non-CWSRF sources ineligible for stimulus funding.  NACWA is urging the inclusion of language in the stimulus bill that makes eligible all ready-to-go projects as defined in the legislation, including those projects under consent decree, to help ensure that the best projects are ultimately undertaken, whether they have undergone the CWSRF application process or not.  

In the meantime, the Association has recommended that agencies that have not currently applied for CWSRF funding, take steps to do so now in the event that the legislative language narrowly limits funding to projects on the CWSRF Intended Use Plan list.  Additionally, Association members are encouraged to use the Write Congress Now feature of NACWA’s website to send letters to their Representatives and Senators urging support for a stimulus package with a significant wastewater funding component.  The opportunity also exists to set up meetings with legislators during the Congressional recess, which begins today.  Please see Legislative Alert 08-06 for additional information.

NACWA also organized a meeting this week with representatives from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Water and other municipal organizations on priority clean water issues.  The discussion focused on the stimulus package, with NACWA emphasizing the need to make sure that whatever funding mechanism is chosen, communities with ready-to-go projects are given the opportunity to seek stimulus package funds.  EPA told NACWA and the other municipal groups that the Agency will be in close contact as efforts on the stimulus package progress.

NACWA Plans Meetings with EPA Transition Officials

NACWA this week worked to schedule meetings with key members of the review team handling the transition process at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the incoming administration of President-Elect Barack Obama.  The Association was front and center at an association outreach meeting at EPA this week to gather information about that transition.  Former EPA Administrator Carol Browner will head the policy working group for the Energy and Environment cluster, which includes EPA, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Energy, the Department of Interior, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.  David Hayes, former chair of the Environment, Land and Resources Department at Latham & Watkins, is heading the Agency Review Working Group responsible for the energy and natural resources agencies.  The EPA review team leaders are Robert Sussman, former EPA deputy  administrator in the Clinton administration; Lisa Jackson, secretary of New Jersey’s Department of Environmental Protection, and Cecilia Estolano, former senior advisor in the EPA Office of Air & Radiation and current head of the Community Redevelopment Agency of Los Angeles.  Others on the review team include former EPA Assistant Administrator (AA) for Water Chuck Fox; Jonathan Cannon, former AA for administration; Nancy Sutley, a senior advisor to Browner; and Dan Esty, who served in a variety of positions at EPA and is an environmental law professor at Yale.

The individuals overseeing the transition at EPA have been set up in temporary offices at the Agency and are charged with evaluating the budget, establishing a strategic direction, and identifying areas for specific emphasis when the new administration comes in.  President-Elect Obama has already said that the economy is a top priority.  He also spoke about climate change, via video link, to a climate change summit earlier this week.  In his remarks he committed the administration to advancing emission reductions and re-entering international negotiations on the issue.  EPA officials working with the transition team expect the Agency to focus significantly on the link between energy and the environment, and building a green economy.  The Association sent a letter to Carol Browner outlining its priorities for the new administration.  NACWA will ensure that each transition team member receives a copy of the Association’s letter, as meetings with team members are being secured.

At a separate meeting this week top EPA water officials said they expect a new administrator for water will be announced by early January, and will be confirmed and in place by Obama’s Jan. 20 inauguration.  In addition, it was reported that said Michael Shapiro, deputy assistant administrator in the Office of Water, will serve as acting AA upon Ben Grumbles departure and until a permanent appointment is made.

NACWA Continues Collaboration with Groups to Draft Green Infrastructure Bill

NACWA met this week with representatives from the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), the Water Environment Federation (WEF), American Rivers, and Clean Water Action to continue drafting legislation that will promote green infrastructure as a means to address wet weather issues and other water quality challenges.  The bill is still in the planning stages but would contain grants for research and for clean water agencies to implement green infrastructure projects, and create an office within EPA to oversee efforts on green infrastructure.  NACWA is drafting specific provisions of the bill.  Once the draft is complete, the Association will seek volunteers for a member review team and will work with the collaborating organizations to find sponsors in the next Congress to introduce and champion the new legislation.  The time is right to pursue infrastructure legislation as, in addition to cost savings and environmental benefits, green approaches to addressing water quality are producing new “green” jobs that will help the economy — a priority for the incoming Obama administration.

National Environmental Achievement Award Application Deadline Nears

NACWA is accepting applications from member agencies who want to be included among the pioneering agencies and individuals whose actions and initiatives have been recognized through the National Environmental Achievement Awards (NEAA) program.   The application deadline for the 2009 awards is fast approaching with submissions due by Friday, Dec. 5.  The NEAA program honors individuals and agencies that have made extraordinary contributions to water quality and the environment.  Member agencies are encouraged to nominate individuals and/or agency projects whose creativity and originality have made a significant impact on their utility, their community, and the clean water industry.  To apply or view the application guidelines and criteria visit www.nacwa.org/neaa.  Please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by e-mail, or at 202/833-1449, with any questions concerning the 2009 NEAA program.

NACWA wishes all its members a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving holiday.  The next issue of the Clean Water Current
will be forwarded to members on Friday, December 5.