This week the House of Representatives approved the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2022. This bill is being used as the vehicle for a compromise fiscal 2023 National Defense Authorization Act, which now includes WRDA. WRDA is bipartisan legislation that includes projects of national, regional, and local significance which help strengthen the Nation’s global competitiveness, grow the economy, ensure …
A bill, SB226, was introduced in the Texas State Legislature that would require the use of green infrastructure in new state buildings. For the bill text and the current status of this bill, please visit: https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=88R&Bill=SB226
Sen. Joe Manchin’s (D-W.Va.) push to speed up the pace of energy infrastructure approvals faces an uncertain future after the proposal was pulled from a must-pass government-funding bill. For more information, please visit: https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/overnights/3667824-energy-environment-whats-next-for-permitting-reform/
The Senate passed a scaled down version of President Biden’s economic agenda this week. HR: 5376, the Inflation Reduction act, formerly known as, the Build Back Better Act, includes provisions of $4 billion for fiscal 2022, available through fiscal 2026, for grants, contracts, or financial assistance for projects to mitigate drought in the western US, with priority would be given …
In order to win Sen. Joe Manchin’s (D-W.Va.) support for climate legislation, a side deal was made for separate legislation to reform the federal permitting process, changing the way states issue Clean Water Act permits. The agreement tweaks section 401 of the Clean Water Act to require states to make a decision within one year of a certification request—either to …
S4136: The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) was passed by the Senate this week. WRDA, a bipartisan water resources and civil works bill, seeks to provide more assistance and resources to tribal communities and to underserved community harbors to complete important water projects. The bill now goes back to the House to iron out differences between the two chambers. The …
HR5118: The Continental Divide Completion Act was expanded this week to include authorization of billions of dollars of funding for federal agencies, including the Agriculture and Interior departments, to implement various forest management, water, and climate programs. This legislative package, which includes more than forty (40) bills is now called the Wildfire Response and Drought Resiliency Act. For more information …
Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, along with Congressman Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, led 167 current and former Members of Congress in filing an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court, in the case of Sackett v. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In October, …
HR 7861: The Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act was recently introduced in Congress to address pre-production plastic pellet pollution. This bill would set effluent limitations on wastewater, spills, and runoff from facilities making certain types of plastic. For more information and the most recent status of this bill, please visit: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/7861?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22hr+7861%22%2C%22hr%22%2C%227861%22%5D%7D&s=1&r=1
S.4231: Support to Rehydrate the Environment, Agriculture and Municipalities Act or STREAM Act. This bill is focused on addressing infrastructure needs in California and the Western US that continue to be taxed due to the on-going drought. In addition, to providing funding for water recycling, desalination, and other water supply projects, this bill also authorizes an additional $50 million for …
HR 1437: A bill is moving through Congress this week that would require the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to update precipitation data every five (5) years. This bill amends the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017. HR 1437 also requires NOAA to work with the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine to conduct a study …
Last week in Washington, water professionals from around the country once again come together for Water Week. This year, after two years of virtual events, attendees came in person to Washington to advocate to federally elected officials and key policymakers the importance of ensuring all communities have access to clean water. Some key water policy priorities included increasing federal infrastructure …
S4136: Bipartisan legislation authorizing improvements to the nation’s waterways and investments in flood control and coastal resiliency projects passed unanimously in the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee this week. This bill includes provisions for 36 new feasibility studies by the Army Corps of Engineers and authorizes or modifies 21 projects for construction. It also includes provisions to provide more …
The White House Council on Environmental Quality announced the appointment of Dr. Jalonne L. White-Newsome to be CEQ’s Senior Director for Environmental Justice. Dr. White-Newsome, a native of Detroit, Michigan, has tackled environmental challenges from a wide range of positions and perspectives, including in the grassroots environmental justice movement, environmental philanthropy, state government, private industry, and academia. For more information, …
Senators plan to roll out a draft water infrastructure bill today aimed to protect the nation’s coasts against widespread, deadly flooding and storm surge tied to climate change. The draft 2022 Water Resources Development Act, also known WRDA, would elevate coastal protection and ecosystem restoration and make it a primary mission of the corps. The measure would also promote the …
