Rep. Lois Capps (D-Calif.), who recently introduced legislation that would help water and wastewater utilities adapt their infrastructure to the impacts of changing hydrological conditions, and Richard Serino, Deputy Administrator at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), will speak at AMWA’s Water Policy Conference, March 17-20 in Washington, D.C.
A long-time supporter of drinking water issues, Rep. Capps will discuss H.R. 765, the “Water Infrastructure Resiliency and Sustainability Act,” which would establish a competitive program at EPA to offer assistance to water and wastewater utilities undertaking projects to further the sustainability of their infrastructure.
Serino, the second in command at FEMA, will discuss the agency’s programs to help communities and critical infrastructure recover from natural disasters, as well as the work of FEMA’s Innovation Team following Hurricane Sandy.
Other confirmed members of congress on the agenda include Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Reps. Michael McCaul (R-Tex.), John Shimkus (R-Ill.), Grace Napolitano (D-Calif.) and Tim Bishop (D-N.Y.), all of whom have sponsored legislation or hold assignments/leadership positions on congressional committees of importance to drinking water utilities.
Kathy Jacobs, Director of the National Climate Assessment, Caitlin Durkovich, Assistant Secretary for Infrastructure Protection at the Department of Homeland Security, and Peter Grevatt, Director of EPA’s Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water, are also confirmed to speak. In addition, Susan Collet of the Bond Dealers of America will discuss preserving tax-exempt municipal bonds, and AMWA general counsel Robert Saner will provide an update on litigation around Clean Water Act permitting for water transfers.
Visit www.amwa.net for more information and to register. Anyone needing a reservation at the Washington Court Hotel should contact Eugenia Cadena at AMWA, 202-331-2820.