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Second Government Shutdown Averted, Congress Passes, President Signs Omnibus Spending Package to Fund the Government
The U.S. avoided a second government shutdown on Friday as President Trump signed an omnibus spending package. With just days before appropriations lapsed for a number federal agencies and accounts, Congress produced a compromise spending package that finalized funding through the rest of the fiscal year. The legislation, which was a product of bipartisan compromise, passed comfortably in both the Senate and the House. President Trump's border wall and immigration detention facilities were the main point of contention throughout negotiations, but the final bill denied funding for the wall and instead included $1.375 billion for bollard fencing. The bill also included provisions that promote a more humane immigration system, delivered a 1.9% pay raise to federal workers, and provided $17 billion for new infrastructure investments, according to a
statement by House Appropriations Chairwoman Nita Lowey.
Aside from the homeland security funding, the bill also included appropriations for agriculture; commerce, justice, and science; financial services and general government; interior and environment; state and foreign operations; and transportation, housing, and urban development. These other funding provisions included a number of spending priorities for the Northeast-Midwest and Mississippi River Basin.
One such provision encouraged the establishment of a Conservation Capital and Technical Assistance pilot program by the Secretary of Agriculture that would provide assistance to certain produce-focused farms for capital improvements to address agricultural-related water concerns and improve conservation. Additionally the bill provided $3.6 billion for State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG), $25 million of which will be allocated to assist small and disadvantaged communities in the cultivation of adequate water infrastructure. Additionally, $15 million has been set aside for reducing lead in drinking water, $25 million has been directed to lead testing in schools and child care facilities, and $87 million will be given to the Brownfields program.
Aside from some of these specific provisions, overall funding for key programs to the region was supported with mixed results. Funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative remained level at $300 million despite President Trump's request to cut it down to $30 million. Funding for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Private Lands Conservation Operations was cut from $874.1 million in FY18 to $819.5 million. The Great Lakes Fishery Commission was provided with an increase in funding; in FY18 the Commission received $33.3 million, which is now increased to $37.3 million. The United States Geological Survey (USGS), meanwhile, will receive additional funding for combating invasive species. In FY18 they received $17.3 million, and they will receive $19.3 million in FY19. The bill also encourages the EPA to fund research grants that will lead to improved control of harmful algal blooms (HABs) in fresh-water and coastal ecosystems, with an additional $5 million being designated for research on the health effects of being exposed to HABs.
Further information on the omnibus spending package and in depth analysis by the Northeast-Midwest Institute is available
here.
For more information, please contact
Eric Heath
, Senior Policy Counsel for the Mississippi River Basin Program at the Northeast-Midwest Institute.
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EPA Releases a New Plan for PFAS, But No Cap On Chemical Levels
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a PFOS and PFOA (often collectively known as perfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS) action plan that outlines concrete steps the agency is taking to address the issues posed by these chemicals, which have been found in many Americans' drinking water. The EPA currently suggests a 70 parts per trillion level for PFOS and PFOA combined, though this is only a nonbinding, unenforceable advisory. According to the plan, EPA will begin the process of determining whether to regulate PFAS, as per the procedures laid out in the Safe Drinking Water Act. The plan also suggests that PFAS be included in drinking water monitoring nationwide and that the chemicals may be added to the Toxic Release Inventory.
Andrew Wheeler, acting Administrator of the EPA, held a February 14th news conference in Philadelphia where he stated, "[a]s we go forward with the [action plan], we'll be looking to see whether or not lower levels are required, according to where the science directs us." Wheeler said he has "every intention" of setting a maximum containment level, but it is still unclear if it will come to fruition. Wheeler also said that the EPA has already begun the process of getting PFOS and PFOA covered by the Superfund law, which would help hold those responsible for PFAS contamination accountable.
Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05) and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), founders and co-chairs of the bipartisan Congressional PFAS Task Force, issued a statement together in response to the EPA's action plan. They commended the EPA for taking action but underscored how important it is for the Administration to act more aggressively when implementing policies to protect Americans from these chemicals.
For more information, please contact Dr. Sri Vedachalam, Director of the Safe Drinking Water Research and Policy Program at the Northeast-Midwest Institute.
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Northeast-Midwest Institute Expert Profile:
Dr. Sri Vedachalam
Dr. Sri Vedachalam is Director, Safe Drinking Water Research and Policy Program at the Northeast-Midwest Institute. His work has addressed nationally relevant issues such as affordability, aging infrastructure, extreme weather impacts, financing, and non-point source pollution, and is cited by national, state, and local policymakers. His expertise in environmental science, water quality, drinking water, and water infrastructure, and his academic training in science, engineering, and economics enable a holistic approach to critical water issues. Dr. Vedachalam has worked closely with community groups, and local and state agencies, and values these partnerships in dealing with the complex challenges facing the water sector. He is author and co-author of numerous articles in scientific journals (see list on
Google Scholar). Previously, he conducted research at the water institutes at Cornell University and Johns Hopkins University, and was an Environmental Legislative Fellow in the U.S. House of Representatives. Dr. Vedachalam holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Science from The Ohio State University (2011), a Master of Science in Agricultural, Environmental, and Developmental Economics (2010), and a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (2007).
Along with colleagues at NEMWI, Dr. Vedachalam is currently developing research on various issues that pertain to water quality, water infrastructure, and water affordability. Regarding water quality, the presence of contaminants such lead, nitrate, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in surface and groundwater supplies poses a grave threat to the safety of water consumed by millions of Americans. NEMWI has conducted research on the geographic spread of lead contamination across the NEMW region, as well as the post-Flint policy changes. NEMWI is currently working on addressing nutrient contamination in the Mississippi River Basin, by highlighting the
increased cost of water treatment and focusing on
efficient ways to reduce nutrient loss by adopting proven conservation techniques. An increasing number of communities across the country have now detected PFAS in their drinking water sources. NEMWI plans to works with Congressional leaders, including the newly formed bipartisan Congressional PFAS Task Force, to identify policy solutions and address communities' health needs. For more information on safe drinking water, please click
here.
Dr. Vedachalam's work on water infrastructure explores the serious challenges confronting municipalities and states in the Northeast-Midwest Region due to aging water and wastewater infrastructure. A combination of reduced federal and state funding, declining population, suburban migration, stricter environmental standards, and strong local governance in the Region has resulted in a "perfect storm." With divided control in Washington beginning in 2019, talk of a major infrastructure package, including significant investment in water and wastewater infrastructure, has intensified. Dr. Vedachalam has conducted research and published several articles on water financing and related topics such as the State Revolving Fund (SRF) programs, Water Infrastructure Financing and Innovation Act (WIFIA), public-private partnerships, and privatization. His most recent
article evaluated the role of WIFIA in financing large water infrastructure needs across the country. For more information regarding water infrastructure issues
, please click
here
.
Water affordability is also a key focus of Dr. Vedachalam's research. Nationally water rates are rising much faster than increases in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), and have even outpaced increases in other utilities like gas and electric. Such increases have made water unaffordable to low-income consumers, which in some cases have even resulted in water shut-offs. Although cities are attempting to address this issue by setting up affordability programs and redesigning their water rate structures, a broader statewide approach is needed to comprehensively meet the need. Dr. Vedachalam is currently working on developing a low-income water affordability initiative
to accurately assess the scale of the affordability challenge and to identify solutions to address this critical issue. For more information about the water affordability initiative, please click here.
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Registration is Now Open for this Year's Great Lakes Day Congressional Breakfast
Registration is open for this year's Great Lakes Day Congressional Breakfast, which will again be co-hosted by the Northeast-Midwest Institute and the Great Lakes Commission. This year's breakfast, which is attended by Members of Congress, their staff, and key Great Lakes stakeholders, will be held on Thursday, March 7th at 8 a.m. in Rayburn House Office Building, room B338-339. Registration for attendance is mandatory. To register, please visit
here.
For more information, please contact Matthew McKenna, Director of the Great Lakes Washington Program at the Northeast-Midwest Institute, at mmckenna@nemw.org.
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116th Congress: Committee Leadership Profiles
As the 116th Congress gets into full swing in the coming weeks, the Northeast-Midwest Institute will profile the Chair and Ranking Member of the Congressional committees most relevant to the region. This newsletter will include the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
Rep. Peter DeFazio, Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee:
Peter DeFazio is the U.S. Representative for Oregon's 4th Congressional district. Rep. DeFazio has been serving in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1986 and is now the longest-serving House member in Oregon's history. He was also a member of the United States Air Force from 1967-1971. The Congressman served as Chairman or Ranking Member of four of the six Transportation and Infrastructure subcommittees including Aviation, Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, Highways and Transit, and Water Resources and Environment. Rep. DeFazio's website states that as Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, he "will continue to fight for infrastructure investment that results in job creation, increased safety, economic efficiency and strategic growth."
Rep. Sam Graves, Ranking Member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee:
Samuel Graves is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's 6th Congressional district. Rep. Graves has been serving in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2001 and previously served as a State Senator for Missouri's 12th district. Graves also previously served as the Chairman of the House Small Business Committee from 2011-2015. Currently he serves as the Ranking Member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and is also a member of the House Committee on Armed Services. According to Graves' website, "his role in transportation is critical as he works on behalf of Missouri's 34,000 highway miles and 10,400 bridges in need of maintenance and repair as well as the 6th Congressional District's two major rivers - the Missouri and the Mississippi."
For more information, please contact
Eric Heath
, Senior Policy Counsel for the Mississippi River Basin Program at the Northeast-Midwest Institute
.
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This Week in Washington
In the Senate:
In the House:
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NEMWI: Strengthening the Region that Sustains the Nation
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