This Week in Washington is a weekly publication of the Water Environment Federation’s Government Affairs department. It provides updates on the latest legislative and regulatory developments that affect the water and wastewater communities.

June 30, 2009

*** SPECIAL EDITION ***

With the July 4th holiday, there will not be an issue of TWIW this week.  The following brief updates on Clean Water Infrastructure Trust Fund activities, EPA FY 2010 Funding Bill, and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Legislation are provided for your information.  More complete coverage will occur in future TWIWs as updates warrant.

GAO Releases Clean Water Infrastructure Fund Report; Water Trust Fund Bill Expected to be Introduced
On June 29th, the General Accounting Office (GAO) released its Clean Water Infrastructure Trust Fund Report. See also Report Highlights.  WEF understands that on July 14th, Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) will be introducing a comprehensive Water Trust Fund Bill -- this measure will call for the establishment of a Water Trust Fund that will provide significant funding (~$50 billion over the next five years) for water infrastructure. 

On July 15th, the House Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee will be holding a hearing on "Opportunities and Challenges in the Creation of a Clean Water Trust Fund."  At this time, GAO is scheduled to testify on the funding options identified in their Report and Rep. Blumenauer will be testifying on the merits of a Water Trust Fund, including the provisions of his yet to be introduced legislation.

House Passes FY 2010 Funding Bill for Interior, EPA and Related Agencies
The House of Representatives on June 26 passed the FY 2010 spending bill for the Interior, EPA and other environment-related agencies (H.R. 2996) [See also H.Rpt. 111-180] that would exempt livestock operations from having to report greenhouse gas emissions from manure management under a forthcoming EPA rule. The bill for EPA, the Department of the Interior, and smaller agencies sailed through the House with quick consideration of a handful of proposed amendments and then approval on a 254-173 vote. EPA would be allocated about $10.5 billion, up 38 percent—or almost $3 billion—from the $7.6 billion appropriated for fiscal 2009. The bill would provide the Department of the Interior with $10.97 billion, up from about $10.14 billion approved for fiscal 2009. The bill totaled $32.3 billion for all agencies, up $4.7 billion from fiscal 2009.

House Passes Bill to Cap Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The House of Representatives approved legislation on June 26 that would place mandatory caps on U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. The American Clean Energy and Security Act (H.R. 2454) represents the first time that the House has approved legislation to limit growth of the nation's greenhouse gas emissions.  The bill would cut U.S. emissions 17 percent by 2020 from 2005 levels and 83 percent by 2050 by establishing a cap-and-trade system, and it would impose a renewable electricity standard on states.

This Week in Washington (SPECIAL EDITION) is provided by the Water Environment Federation, Alexandria, VA and is available on-line. To receive by e-mail, please contact the Editor - Sam Hadeed - at shadeed@wef.org or call 703.684.2418 with questions.