Newly confirmed speakers for AMWA’s 2013 Water Policy Conference – March 17-20 in Washington, D.C. – provide added depth to an already powerful program. Key members of the House and Senate and top Administration officials scheduled to speak include:
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Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and the author of the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA).
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Rep. John Shimkus (R-Ill.), chairman of the House Environment and the Economy Subcommittee that oversees EPA’s drinking water regulatory activities.
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Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Tex.), chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, discussing possible bills to regulate cybersecurity.
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Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-Calif.), ranking Democrat on the House Subcommittee on Water and Power, to talk about Western water issues.
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Rep. Tim Bishop (D-N.Y.), ranking Democrat of the House Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee, to speak about water infrastructure funding options.
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Peter Grevatt, Director of EPA’s Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water, to discuss regulatory development efforts.
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Caitlin Durkovich, Assistant Secretary at the Department of Homeland Security, tentatively set todiscuss federal infrastructure protection initiatives for the water sector.
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Kathy Jacobs, National Climate Assessment Director with the U.S. Global Change Research Program, tentatively scheduled to speak about the draft assessment.
In addition to these national leaders, the program features an expert overview of the national political climate from National Public Radio’spolitical analyst Mara Liasson. Susan Collet of the Bond Dealers of America will discuss the prospects of tax reform impacting the municipal bond tax exemption. AMWA General Counsel Robert Saner will address the status and possible outcomes of water conveyance and Clean Water Act permitting litigation.