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» Clean Water Current Archive

June 15, 2012

 

EPA Releases Integrated Planning Framework

NACWA is encouraged by the changes made by EPA to its final Integrated Municipal Stormwater and Wastewater Planning Approach Framework (Framework) icon-pdf, released this week.  The changes to the Framework, though generally minor, are positive overall and address many of the concerns NACWA raised during the stakeholder meetings EPA held on the Framework and in written comments icon-pdf on the January 2012 draft.  EPA has added a sixth element to the Framework to better acknowledge that integrated plans are adaptable and can change if the community’s circumstances, including its financial capability, change.  The Framework also has more explicitly outlined when and how a community’s financial capability should be factored into priority-setting as part of the integrated planning process, among other changes.  Advocacy Alert 12-10 provides a brief summary of all the changes made to the Framework and an update on current efforts underway among the clean water community to implement integrated planning.  Please email Chris Hornback at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if your agency plans to move forward with an integrated plan so the full membership can benefit from lessons learned related to these efforts.

While the final Framework clearly is an important step toward realizing the goals of the Association’s Money Matters . . . Smarter Investment to Advance Clean Water™ campaign, key questions remain on the extent to which the Framework will prove to offer the type of broad-based relief many in the clean water community are seeking.  NACWA’s Money Matters Task Force will be meeting in the coming weeks to discuss the Association’s next steps.


NACWA Urges Members to Complete “Utility of the Future” Survey

NACWA urges members to complete a key survey sent to primary contacts at each of the Association’s Member Agencies this week.  The survey is part of the Association’s effort to gather vital information on its “Water Quality Utility of the Future” initiative.  NACWA is requesting that all of its Member Agencies complete the survey by Tuesday, June 26.  The survey seeks input on several key issue areas related to:

• Reductions in energy consumption
• Electricity generation through, for example, methane recovery, solar photovoltaics, or wind turbines
• Recovery and reuse of waste heat
• Recovery of commercially valuable materials from both liquid and biosolids streams
• Reuse of wastewater for cooling, recharge, landscape irrigation, or other uses
• Green infrastructure approaches
• Product stewardship and pretreatment initiatives
• Work with communities to facilitate economic development and growth
• Work with other regional dischargers to meet ambient water quality objectives at less cost

The survey also asks for information regarding the types of incentives available to you to engage in these activities, the types of federal incentives you would like to see, as well as the barriers you face to undertake more of these types of activities.  NACWA plans to work closely with the Water Environment Federation (WEF) and the Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF) on this effort, as well, and to develop handbook on “Utility of the Future” issues, based in part on these survey results.  All information collected will be aggregated, with nothing attributed to individual agencies, without securing permission to do so.  Initial survey results will be available for discussion by relevant Standing Committees at NACWA’s 2012 Summer Conference next month in Philadelphia.  Please email Adam Krantz at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you have any questions regarding the survey.


NACWA Continues Work to Advance Legislative Priorities

NACWA continues work to advance its legislative priorities within the halls of Congress with meetings on integrated planning, farm bill and funding issues.  NACWA met with staff for House Water Resources & Environment Subcommittee, chaired by Congressman Bob Gibbs (R-Ohio), to discuss potential legislation to keep the pressure on EPA’s efforts to move integrated planning forward and to seek permit relief for utilities that are able to secure an approved integrated plan.  The House Subcommittee is likely to hold a follow-up hearing on EPA’s framework during the month of July.  In the Senate, NACWA has discussed the possibility of identifying money in the FY13 EPA budget to help pilot communities develop integrated plans.

During NACWA’s meeting with House Subcommittee staff, Chairman Gibbs’ interest in introducing legislation titled the Water Infrastructure Financing Innovations Act (WIFIA) was discussed.  The proposed legislation would establish a new water and wastewater infrastructure financing program at the EPA to provide loan guarantees to fund large projects of national and regional significance.  Association representatives expressed support for new financing tools, but cautioned that funding for a WIFIA must not come at the expense of the State Revolving Fund program.  NACWA met, as well, with staff for Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), who is also interested in introducing WIFIA legislation, and communicated the same message.  Members will be kept apprised of progress on these various legislative issues through NACWA communication and discussions at the Association’s Summer Conference next month in Philadelphia.

NACWA also remains hopeful that additional progress can be made on nutrient management within the context of the Farm Bill.  The Association continues to have discussions with staff of the Senate Agriculture Committee and key Senate offices on additional language to address and prioritize nutrient management activities on the farm.  These discussions are expected to conclude shortly, as the full Senate debates the bill.