It’s Membership Renewal and Conference Registration Time
We hope you enjoyed your Thanksgiving holiday. As we reflect on the past year, we want to thank our members , board of directors , workgroup and committee volunteers . Your contributions help us continue our work to advance California’s clean water future! We urge you to continue your support during membership renewal and conference registration time. 
  • Membership renewal: Current members can renew their membership through our new automated online renewal process.
  • Conference registration: Our winter conference promises another valuable experience for attendees. The “Plan for the Best, Prepare for the Rest”-themed conference will take place in Palm Springs January 24 – 26.The preliminary program is posted and registration is now open.
Not yet a member? Join today! You’ll benefit in many ways through our regulatory, legislative and advocacy work. We are the only association focused 100 percent on California’s clean water agencies.
Legislative & Regulatory Updates
CASA Urges Unified Regulatory Approach to Biosolids Management
On November 15, we submitted comments to CalRecycle on the draft regulatory language for the implementation of organics diversion mandates under SB 1383. We strongly recommend language that establishes a unified regulatory approach to biosolids management. We base this on federal 503 standards or the State Water Resources Control Board’s Statewide General Order. 
CPUC Developing Regulations for Pipeline Biomethane
The California Public Utilities Commission is developing regulations for pipeline injection of biomethane. We have had several productive meetings with lead staff. The commission is interested in hearing from our members to better understand the opportunities and barriers for the wastewater sector. A formal proceeding will likely start in 2018 to provide a mechanism for the regulations.
Senate Announces Long-Awaited Decision about Proposed Funding
The Senate Committee on Appropriations recently announced the proposed funding of the U.S. EPA programs for the remaining months of the FY 2018. The Interior and Environment Appropriations bill includes proposed funding for the State Revolving Fund program and the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act. The bill would allocate $3.6 billion to fund the State Revolving Fund program, a significant increase over last year's level of $2.3 billion, and WIFIA would receive $30 million. The bill as drafted, however, is unlikely to receive a Senate vote. Instead, the bill is likely to serve as a marker to trigger the development of a final spending bill by the House and Senate.
Federal Tax Bill Could Target Refunding of Municipal Debt
Congress is approaching a self-imposed deadline of late December to finalize this bill. The House recently approved its version. The Senate is likely to debate its version this week. Both bills currently contain provisions to deny local governments the ability to issue "advanced refunding bonds" after December 31, 2017. We urge agencies considering advance refunding bonds in 2018 to take notice of what this bill means to you. 
EPA and Army Propose to Amend 2015 Defining “Waters of the United States”   Effective Date
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of the Army are proposing to delay the effective date of the Waters of the U.S. rule by two years. Publication in the Federal Register triggers a 21-day public comment period. This delay gives the agencies time to continue stakeholder meetings across the country ahead of a complete rewrite. According to the release , this action is separate from the two-step process the agencies propose to take to reconsider the 2015 rule.
Member News
Energy Commission Awards CASA member Lystek with EPIC Funding
The California Energy Commission awarded Lystek a $1.5 million grant through its Electric Program Investment Charge Program. The funding will help support Lystek’s project with CASA member Goleta Sanitary District and University of California Santa Barbara to deploy an innovative and sustainable organics-to-energy system. 
OCSD Receives 2017 “Turning Red Tape into Red Carpet” Honorable Mention
Kudos to the Orange County Sanitation District. The Orange County Business Council recently presented the Turning Red Tape into Red Carpet Honorable Mention Award to the District for its innovative Urban Runoff Diversion Program. 
A Big Thank You to Jackie Zipkin, Lisa Haney and Mitch Mysliwiec
Our regulatory workgroup recently recognized outgoing co-chair Jackie Zipkin for her leadership. Lisa Haney from Orange County Sanitation District and Mitch Mysliwiec of Larry Walker Associates will serve as the workgroup’s co-chairs. Fortunately, we will continue to benefit from Jackie’s involvement as she recently assumed the Energy and Climate Change Workgroup chair role. We thank each of you for your involvement! 
CASA’s Education Foundation Needs Your Support
Our associate members will host a silent auction at the winter conference to support CASA’s Education Foundation. The Foundation needs your help through silent auction donations. Auction proceedings will support the Foundation’s efforts to provide scholarships in 2018. 

Please contact  Joyce Gwidt  to let her know what you can contribute. If you prefer to pledge a donation, we've made it easy for you! Visit CASA's  website  for details. 
Mark Your Calendar
Effective Utility Management Workshop: Your Path to Sustainability
December 7 at Sacramento Area Sewer District
Registration is still open for this workshop presented by the Water Environment Foundation with CWEA, NACWA and RCAC. Attend to learn about how to address challenges and move toward sustainable management of your operations and infrastructure. Early bird registration ends December 1. 
December 4              
BAC Member Meeting Oakland, CA
January 24-26             
CASA Winter Conference Palm Springs, CA
February 26-28     
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