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Washington DC Update—March 2021

Scott Berry, Director of Policy and Government Affairs, US Water Alliance | March 26, 2021

March has been a historic month. Almost exactly a year after coronavirus was declared a pandemic, President Biden signed the $1.9 trillion relief package that closely mirrored his American Rescue Plan, which he announced on Inauguration day. The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 passed in the Senate 50-49, and then in the House 220-211, sending it to President Biden’s desk. A key provision of the relief package is $500 million in one-time water rate assistance, which is on top of the $638 million in water bill debt relief that was included in last  December’s Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021.  | More >

Recovering Stronger: State Innovations—West Region: Respond, Recover, and Reimagine

Joya Banerjee and Sarah Huckins | March 24, 2021

The West, and the nation, are facing myriad challenges. Years of devastating climate impacts, like droughts, wildfires, and heat waves, have left many in the West struggling to make ends meet. This has been compounded over the last year by the COVID-19 pandemic, which laid inequities bare and highlighted how deeply embedded those inequities are. But times of upheaval can lead to lasting change. | More >

Renewal: A Water Reflection

Benny Starr, US Water Alliance Artist-in-Residence | March 22, 2021

As a Black man born and raised in the American South, I cannot divorce the way I have been created from the art that I create; both of which I will always see as beautiful and enduring. It is for that reason, that I am deeply honored to share my inclusion in Grist 50, an annual list of emerging leaders who are working on real-world solutions to our world’s biggest challenges. This acknowledgment of my art and my identity comes at a time when so many of us require a renewal of hope and a radical reimagining of our society. As I reflect on my experience as a creator in a time of hardship, I have reaffirmed the need for art not just in the way we work, but in the way we live and connect with each other. Art can be the way we find ourselves again as we emerge from the past year.  | More >

World Water Day—Valuing Water Today and Everyday

US Water Alliance | March 22, 2021

This year, our country faced an enormous public health crisis. The coronavirus pandemic demonstrated the critical role that water and wastewater systems play in communities—protecting public health, safeguarding the environment, and making a healthy economy possible. On World Water Day, together we can take this opportunity to notice the way that water systems impact our lives and to commit to ensuring a sustainable water future for generations to come. | More >

Reimagining the CCR: A Simple Way to Build Trust in Our Water

Joya Banerjee and Samantha Villegas | February 25, 2021

Each year, 50,000 water utilities across the United States provide customers with a Consumer Confidence Report (CCR), reporting on drinking water quality, regulated contaminants such as lead or arsenic found in the water, and any water violations. But many CCRs are out of touch with what consumers need to understand their water and whether it is safe to drink. Fortunately, through better communication about water quality, utilities can build trust with consumers, gain consumers’ support for investments in their water infrastructure, and then ideally provide better water. | More >

Washington DC Update—February 2021

Scott Berry, Director of Policy and Government Affairs, US Water Alliance | February 23, 2021

The first month of President Biden’s term has been defined by the urgent need to support pandemic relief and recovery efforts. One of President Biden’s first actions in office was to issue an Executive Order on Economic Relief Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic to provide immediate support to struggling Americans. In the release of the Executive Order, the White House called on Congress to “finish the job” of providing economic relief by passing the American Rescue Plan, which President Biden put forth before assuming office. To that end, throughout the past month Congress has been working to pass COVID relief legislation through the budget reconciliation process, which allows legislation affecting federal spending and revenue to pass by a simple majority. | More >

Recovering Stronger: Transforming Water Management in America

US Water Alliance | February 4, 2021

The US Water Alliance believes we have a unique opportunity in how we respond and recover from COVID-19. We can take this moment of deep disruption and turn it into a source of lasting transformation in how we view, value, and manage our nation’s water systems.

That is why the US Water Alliance is proud to announce the launch of Recovering Stronger initiative, which stems from our belief that we have a unique opportunity in how we respond and recover from COVID-19. We can take this moment of deep disruption and turn it into a source of lasting transformation in how we view, value, and manage our nation’s water systems. | More >

Washington DC Update—January 2021

Scott Berry, Director of Policy and Government Affairs, US Water Alliance | January 27, 2021

Washington looks very different at the end of January than it did at the end of 2020. There is much still to be accomplished, but this time of transition provides a unique opportunity to advance One Water policies. With a pair of wins in Georgia, Senators Jon Ossoff and Rev. Raphael Warnock flipped control of the Senate to the Democrats. The Senate is now divided 50-50, with Vice President Kamala Harris serving as the tie-breaking vote. This power change has myriad impacts on future legislation and rulemaking under the new Biden Administration.  | More >

Coffee and a Conversation with Benny Starr, Inaugural One Water Artist-in-Residence

Benny Starr and Sara Allen, US Water Alliance | January 27, 2021
In October 2020, Benny Starr, a Hip-Hop artist and activist from the Black Rural South, joined the US Water Alliance as our inaugural Artist-in-Residence. Benny has spent his career pushing the boundaries of creativity and challenging systems of racism and inequality through music. 
 
Benny recently sat down for a virtual coffee with Sara Allen, US Water Alliance Membership and Development Associate. Read on for an abbreviated version of their conversation on arts, water, and social movements. 
 

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Washington DC Update—December 2020

Scott Berry, Director of Policy and Government Affairs, US Water Alliance | December 18, 2020

There’s much still left to be addressed in Congress, not the least of which is the impending end to government funding, which runs out midnight Friday, December 11. The House and Senate passed a one-week continuing resolution on December 9, which pushes the government funding deadline to Friday, December 18. However, it will still be a tight turnaround for a massive spending package. An alternative would be to kick the can into 2020 by passing another continuing resolution before the 18th that extends funding into early next year. Regardless of which way Congress decides to go, it is critically important to avoid a government shutdown which would be disastrous for millions of Americans are struggling due to a nine-months-and-counting global pandemic.  | More >