Legislation

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of the Army (the agencies) last week announced a proposed rule to re-establish the pre-2015 definition of “waters of the United States” (WOTUS). The agencies say the action will establish a durable definition of WOTUS that protects public health, the environment, …

U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) has announced nearly $20 million in federal funding across several appropriations bills for California water infrastructure projects, ocean research, and ecological restoration programs. “As California faces the stressors of the climate crisis, it’s critical that we invest in the restoration of degraded ecosystems and modernize …

Water and wastewater agencies will now have more financial stability thanks to Governor Newsom signing Senate Bill 323 (Caballero) this week. The new law requires any lawsuits challenging fees or charges for water or sewer service to be filed within 120 days of the effective date. Water and sewer agencies …

Late last week Governor Gavin Newsom met with new Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell at Folsom Lake to show the massive impacts of climate change, including drought, heat waves and wildfires. The Governor also signed budget trailer bill AB 148 to expedite the state’s response to severe drought …

Earlier this week the House approved the PFAS Action Act of 2021 with bi-partisan support, 241-183. The bill would require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish national drinking water standards for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances — PFOA and PFOS — or better known as “forever chemicals”. Representative Josh Harder (CA-10), …

Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD) stands to receive federal funding allocations for two projects in the House Appropriations Committee’s FY 2022 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies legislation approved last week. Thanks to Representatives Ken Calvert and Mark Takano, EMWD’s Quail Valley Septic to Sewer program is slated to receive $2.5 …