The year 2018 is shaping up to be a blockbuster year for national politics, and the outlook for water policy presents serious questions for the water sector. This potent combination of politics and policy drives the agenda for AMWA’s 2018 Water Policy Conference, scheduled for March 18-21 in Washington, D.C.
Setting the stage for two days of penetrating discussion, popular political analyst David Wasserman of the Cook Political Report will open the program by handicapping the 2018 elections.
Three top U.S. Environmental Protection Agency officials with key perspectives on water issues will provide their authoritative viewpoints:
- Assistant Administrator for Water David Ross will offer unique views from his water background in the private sector, in state government and now as head of EPA’s Office of Water, where he oversees a staff that is directly responsible for the creation and modification of the nation’s water regulation and policy.
- Deputy Assistant Administrator for Water Lee Forsgren will focus on issues including “Waters of the United States,” integrated water resource planning and water affordability.
- Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water Director Peter Grevatt will give status reports on the regulatory items that will take precedence in his office during the coming year, including the Lead and Copper Rule, perchlorate, health advisories and source water protection.
Other federal officials invited to address the conference include U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Brenda Burman; Alexander Herrgott, Associate Director for Infrastructure at the White House Council on Environmental Quality; Christopher Krebs, Assistant Secretary for Infrastructure Protection at the Department of Homeland Security, and R.D. James, head of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
From Capitol Hill, confirmed speakers include Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), ranking member of the Environment and Public Works’ (EPW) Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water and Wildlife; Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.), ranking member of the EPW Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee; Rep. Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.), ranking member of the House Subcommittee on the Environment; and Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.), current vice chairman and Rep. Bob Gibbs (R-Ohio), former chairman of the House Water Resources & Environment Subcommittee.
The impact of 2017 hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria on drinking water and wastewater systems and their surrounding communities will be addressed by a panel of water executives closest to the devastation: Yvonne Forrest of the Houston Department of Public Works, Kirk Zuelch of the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority and Eli Diaz Atienza of the Puerto Rico Aqueduct & Sewer Authority.
The conference will also feature a Sunday afternoon interactive discussion about key principles for utility managers to consider on alternative project delivery approaches with private sector partners. The discussion will set the stage for a broader conversation on Monday with utility leaders and private sector representatives about lessons learned in developing alternative project delivery public private partnership arrangements. Confirmed speakers include John Entsminger of Las Vegas Valley Water District, Ray Hoffman of Cascade Water Alliance and Maureen Stapleton of San Diego County Water Authority.
Wednesday, March 21 has been set aside for visits with members of Congress, and the conference hotel, the Liaison Capitol Hill, is within short walking distance of the U.S. Capitol. Participants will be provided briefing papers on important drinking water policy issues in their registration packets.
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For online registration or to learn more about the conference, visit www.amwa.net/2018WPC.