EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson and Department of Commerce (DOC) Secretary John E. Bryson announced on May 14 efforts to launch an environmental technology initiative to help create American jobs in the growing environmental industry. Announced at EPA’s first Technology Market Summit, this initiative, which will include a comprehensive web based portal, will promote American environmental technology, products and services in the global marketplace. The Environmental Technologies Export Initiative builds on President Obama’s National Export Initiative, which aims to double U.S. exports by the end of 2014 and support millions of American jobs. The American environmental industry generates approximately $312 billion in revenues each year, with a global market of more than $800 billion. This growing industry employs nearly 1.7 million Americans and includes over 60,000 small businesses across the country.

The web-based tool, which is scheduled to be launched in fall of this year and hosted on http://www.export.gov, will offer U.S. environmental companies detailed information on U.S. government support activities including market research, scientific analysis, regulatory information, and financial support programs. EPA and Commerce are also partnering with trade associations to highlight potential growth opportunities for U.S. companies by increasing access to EPA’s scientific, technical and regulatory information and Commerce’s foreign market analysis and export promotion infrastructure. When launched, this portal will provide a more systematic approach for U.S. companies looking to expand markets for their environmental products and services abroad.

On April 2, 2012, EPA released their draft National Water Program 2012 Strategy: Response to Climate Changefor a 45-day public comment period.  WEF submitted May 15 comments on EPA’s draft, commending EPA for developing such a comprehensive strategy to address climate change in the context of our nation’s clean water programs.  WEF noted that it was pleased to be able to directly participate in and contribute to the Climate Ready Water Utilities (CRWU) workgroup formed by EPA among relevant stakeholders to look at the potential impacts of climate change on water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure and to develop approaches to respond to these impacts. The Infrastructure element of the 2012 climate change strategy reflects the excellent work conducted by the CRWU workgroup which WEF fully supports.  WEF also indicated that EPA’s strategy was consistent with WEF’s 2010 position statement on “Protecting Water Resources and Infrastructure from the Impacts of Climate Change.” 

WEF staff participated in two briefings this week for federal environmental officials on the economic implication of using Green Infrastructure to protect water quality.  On May 16, a briefing was provided to senior officials at the White House Council on Environmental Quality and on May 17, a similar briefing was provided to water and policy officials at US EPA.  Both briefings were based on the recent publication, Banking on Green: How Green Infrastructure Saves Municipalities Money and Provides Economic Benefits Community-wide, which was released last month by WEF, American Rivers, the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), and ECONorthwest. This report included case studies demonstrating that Green Infrastructure solutions can potentially be more cost-effective than traditional approaches and offer additional benefits to a community such as lower energy expenses, reduced flood damage, and improved public health. The briefings emphasized that local agencies considering use of Green Infrastructure can sometimes find it hard document the monetary value of these additional benefits, and that additional case studies as well as regulatory flexibility to consider green solutions would be helpful.  These briefings were timely as EPA continues to work on a proposed revision to national stormwater regulations; the extent to which these regulations will encourage or require adoption of GI is a major point of interest. The White House, meanwhile, is actively considering ways in which it might encourage adoption of GI across the entire family of federal agencies.

EPA Office of Water Deputy Assistant Administrator Michael Shapiro issued an April 26, 2012 memorandum to Office of Water directors, regional division directors, and program managers announcing the release of its FY 2013 National Water Program Guidance.  The National Water Program Guidancedescribes how EPA, states, territories, and tribal governments will work together to protect and improve the quality of the Nation’s waters, including wetlands, and ensure safe drinking water. The Guidance describes the key actions needed to accom­plish the public health and environmental goals in the EPA FY 2011-2015 Strategic Plan, published on September 30, 2010.  EPA is encouraging states to immediately begin setting priorities on a watershed or statewide basis, establishing nutrient reduction targets, and adopting numeric nutrient criteria for at least one class of water bodies by no later than 2016.

Priorities for the water program in FY 2013 include:

• Sustainable Communities - Making Communities More Sustainable
  • Making America ' s Water Systems Sustainable and Secure
  • Safeguarding Public Health
  • Restoring and Protecting Urban Waters
   
• Healthy Watersheds - Restoring and Protecting America's Watersheds
  • Focusing Efforts in Key Geographic Areas
  • Strengthening Protections for Our Waters
  • Improving Watershed-Based Approaches
   

EPA announced in the May 18 Federal Register a final rule modifying the testing procedures approved for analysis and sampling under the Clean Water Act (CWA). EPA proposed these changes for public comment on September 23, 2010. The changes adopted in this final rule fall into the following categories: New and revised EPA methods and new and revised methods published by voluntary consensus standard bodies (VCSB), such as ASTM International and the Standard Methods Committee; updated versions of currently approved methods; methods reviewed under the alternate test procedures (ATP) program; clarifications to the process for EPA approval for use of alternate procedures for nationwide and Regional use; minimum quality control requirements to improve consistency across method versions; corrections to previously approved methods; and revisions to sample collection, preservation, and holding time requirements..

The final rule includes two updated methods for the pathogen cryptosporidium and the parasite giardia, which use filtration. The methods allow the flexibility to choose among several types of filters, quality controls, and stains, and clarify the measurement of sample temperatures, quality control sample requirements, and use of quality control sample results. The rule also adds methods for testing for pesticides in municipal and industrial wastewater and adds a standardized simulated weathering test method for predicting mine drainage quality. The regulation is effective on June 18, 2012.

EPA has updated the online version of its water quality standards handbook to make it more user-friendly and improve transparency by providing links to EPA’s most recent policy documents. The handbook is a compilation of EPA's guidance on the water quality standards program and provides direction for states, territories and authorized tribes in reviewing, revising and implementing water quality standards. Look for the “updated information” boxes located throughout each chapter for links to recent policy and guidance as well as hyperlinks to documents referenced in the handbook text. EPA has also consolidated its online water quality standards policy and guidance reference library, which includes relevant water quality standards policy and guidance documents. The library is sortable by document title, issue date, topic and EPA publication number. 

EPA announced on May 16 that the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) will conduct a comprehensive review of the agency’s Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) program’s assessment development process. The IRIS program helps EPA protect Americans’ health and the environment by conducting health assessments on over 550 chemicals that may be present in our environment.  In April 2011, NAS recommended several ways to improve the development of IRIS assessments. EPA has embraced these recommendations and is implementing them using a phased approach. Future draft IRIS assessments released for public comment and peer review will demonstrate the progress EPA has made in implementing NAS recommendations.

NAS will conduct a review of the IRIS assessment development process and the changes that are currently being made or planned by EPA in response to NAS’ April 2011 recommendations. NAS will also review current methods for weight of evidence analyses and recommend approaches for weighing scientific evidence for chemical hazard identification. EPA’s IRIS program provides health profiles of chemicals to which the public may be exposed from releases to air, water, and land and through the use and disposal of chemicals. IRIS assessments inform EPA rulemakings, and the release of final IRIS assessments is consistent with EPA’s ongoing efforts to improve Americans’ health and protect the environment. 

EPA announced in the May 16 Federal Register that it is promulgating technology-based effluent limitations guidelines (ELGs) and new source performance standards (NSPS) under the Clean Water Act (CWA) for discharges from airport deicing operations. The requirements generally apply to wastewater associated with the deicing of airfield pavement at primary airports. The final rule requires all such airports to comply with requirements based on substitution of less toxic pavement deicers that do not contain urea. The rule also establishes NSPS for wastewater discharges associated with aircraft deicing for a subset of new airports. These airports must also meet requirements based on collection of deicing fluid and treatment of the collected fluid. The ELGs and NSPS will be incorporated into National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the permitting authority. EPA expects compliance with this regulation to reduce the discharge of deicing-related pollutants by 16 million pounds per year. EPA estimates the annual cost of the rule at $3.5 million. This final rule is effective on June 15, 2012.

EPA announced on May 16 that it is launching a new design competition called the Campus RainWorks Challenge to encourage student teams on college and university campuses across the country to develop innovative approaches to stormwater management. The competition will help raise awareness of green design and planning approaches at colleges and universities, and train the next generation of landscape architects, planners, and engineers in green infrastructure principles and design. Student teams, working with a faculty advisor, will submit design plans for a proposed green infrastructure project for their campus. Registration for the Campus RainWorks Challenge opens September 4, and entries must be submitted by December 14, 2012 for consideration. Winning entries will be selected by EPA and announced in April 2013. Winning teams will earn a cash prize of $1,500 - $2,500, as well as $8,000 - $11,000 in funds for their faculty advisor to conduct research on green infrastructure. In 2013, EPA plans to expand Campus RainWorks by inviting students to design and complete a demonstration project assessing innovative green infrastructure approaches on their campus. The Campus RainWorks Challenge will help encourage the use of green infrastructure projects on college and university campuses to manage stormwater discharges.

On May 15, WEF Deputy Executive Director Eileen O’Neill participated in a meeting with EPA to discuss progress and next steps in fostering improved management of water utilities based on the Ten Attributes of Effectively Managed Water Sector Utilities.  This June 2008 publication provides a primer for water utilities that are seeking to become high-performing organizations.  Since the publication of the Ten Attributes, WEF, EPA and the other sponsoring organizations have been working to incorporate Effective Utility Management (EUM) into education, training and recognition programs. Nancy Stoner, Acting EPA Assistant Administrator for Water, opened the meeting with an overview of EPA sustainability efforts and asked the water organizations to consider how to promote sustainability as part of EUM. This sparked a lively discussion about current challenges facing utilities and the need to address basic financial challenges (affordability, pricing, public support for infrastructure improvements) as a predicate for any sustainability efforts. The organizations agreed to convene a follow-up meeting where utility leaders representing each organization would be invited to provide their perspectives. The May 16 meeting included the original six sponsoring national organizations as well as additional groups including the Water Environment Research Foundation.

EPA is conducting a webinar on how to perform an energy use assessment at small- to medium-sized water and wastewater systems on May 31, 2012 from 1:30-3:30 pm EDT. Providing safe drinking water is a highly energy-intensive activity as electricity costs represent up to 60 percent of a water system’s operating budget. More and more systems are recognizing the importance of reducing energy consumption as a means to reduce their bottom line costs. For this reason EPA has developed a free, downloadable, Excel-based energy use assessment tool. This tool allows water systems to conduct a utility bill analysis to determine baseline energy consumption and cost. In addition, the tool highlights areas of inefficiency that users may find useful in identifying and prioritizing energy improvement projects. To register for this webinar, click here.

WEF Deputy Executive Director Dr. Eileen O’Neill was a featured speaker at the Knoxville Utilities Board (KUB) May 16 celebration of its National Biosolids Partnership (NBP) environmental management system (EMS) certification.  Dr. O’Neill and NACWA Senior Director - Regulatory Affairs Chris Hornback represented the NBP and presented the certification plaque to members of the KUB and staff.  KUB is the 34^th organization in North America to receive NBP EMS certification of their biosolids management program.  KUB EMS Press Release 

Photo Caption:Standing left to right at KUB’s National Biosolids Partnership Certification celebration on May 16, 2012 – Ted Tyree, KUB Manager, Plants; Eileen J. O’Neill, Ph.D., Water Environment Federation, Deputy Executive Director; Chris Hornback, National Association of Clean Water Agencies, Senior Director, Regulatory Affairs; Wayne Loveday, KUB Vice President, Regulatory Compliance; Mintha Roach, KUB President and Chief Executive Officer; and Bill Elmore, KUB Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.

WEF announced on May 16 the 2012 state winners of the U.S. Stockholm Junior Water Prize (SJWP)—the most prestigious youth award for a water-related science project (see complete list below). WEF Member Associations selected and will sponsor state winners and their science teachers to attend the national competition, hosted by the New England Water Environment Association, June 14-16, 2012 at the Hilton Logan Airport Hotel in Boston. The purpose of the SJWP program is to increase students’ interest in water-related issues and research and to raise awareness about global water challenges. The competition is open to projects aimed at enhancing the quality of life through improvement of water quality, water resources management, water protection, and water and wastewater treatment.

The U.S. winner will receive $3,000 (USD) and an all-expense-paid trip to Stockholm, Sweden for the international competition, as well as the opportunity to present his or her research to water quality experts at WEFTEC^® 2012—WEF’s 85^th annual technical exhibition and conference—this fall in New Orleans. Up to three finalists will receive $1,000 each. The national winner will represent the United States at the international competition in Stockholm, Sweden during World Water Week, August 26-31, 2012. The international winner will receive $5,000 (USD) presented during a royal ceremony by the prize’s Patron HRH Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden. To view the state SJWP winners, click here       

“This year’s Most Endangered Rivers list underscores how important clean water is to our drinking water, health, and economy. If Congress slashes clean water protections, more Americans will get sick and communities and businesses will suffer. We simply cannot afford to go back to a time when the Potomac and rivers nationwide were too polluted and dangerous to use.” 

• Bob Irvin, President of American Rivers (Statement following release of American Rivers’ annual list of America’s Most Endangered Rivers) 

This Week in Washingtonis 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.