Suzanne Spaulding, Deputy Under Secretary for the National Protection and Programs Protectorate at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, has joined the program for AMWA’s 2012 Water Policy Conference. Spaulding will discuss the Department’s goals and objectives for improving critical infrastructure protection and resiliency and for enhancing and maintaining the DHS-water sector partnership. 

Keynote speaker Charlie Cook, editor and publisher of The Cook Political Report will offer his widely respected insights on the upcoming elections and the broad policy implications of election results. He will be followed on the program by Administration speakers including White House Senior Director of Resilience Policy Richard Reed, discussing government continuity following disasters, EPA’s Acting Administrator for Water Nancy Stoner, on the agency’s efforts to communicate the value of water and Office of Drinking Water and Groundwater Director Cynthia Dougherty, with an overview of EPA’s regulatory priorities. 

 

From Capitol Hill, influential legislators will address water-related issues before Congress: Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.), chairman of Water and Wildlife Subcommittee of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, Sen, John Boozman (R-Ark.) also from the Senate Water and Wildlife Subcommittee, Rep. Bob Gibbs (R-Ohio), chairman of the House Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee, Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), member of the House Ways and Means and Budget Committees, Rep. Gene Green (D-Tex.), ranking member of the House Environment and the Economy Subcommittee, and Rep. Tim Bishop (D-N.Y.), ranking member of the House Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee.  Other key Senate and House members are also invited.

 

Al Martinez-Fonts Jr., Executive Vice President of the U.S. Forum for Policy Innovation at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and Greg DiLoreto, President-Elect of the American Society of Civil Engineers and CEO of Tualatin Valley Water District, will take look at the nation’s infrastructure challenges and how utilities and communities are responding.

 

Meetings of AMWA’s Legislative, Regulatory, Sustainability and Security Committees will provide updates on federal policy issues and the association’s action plans for 2012. Tuesday evening’s reception will take place in the colorful and lush environment of the U.S. Botanic Garden on the Capitol grounds, the oldest botanic garden in North America.

 

The Washington Court Hotel on Capitol Hill has set aside a block of rooms for AMWA Conference participants at a special rate. Rooms in this block can be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis, but THE SPECIAL HOTEL RATE IS AVAILABLE ONLY UNTIL FEBRUARY 27. 

 

Don’t’ delay. Register for the 2012 Water Policy Conference and reserve your room today. View Program and registration information by using the links in the upper right hand corner of this page.