President Obama’s Fiscal Year 2012 budget request makes good on the administration’s pledge to cut spending levels. Under the president’s plan, FY12 funding for the CWSRF would be $1.55B, the DWSRF would be $990M, and the RUS Rural Water and Waste Program would be $411M.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa Jackson announced new plans for the agency to regulate chemicals in the nation’s water systems. Among the regulated substances were chemicals such as perchlorate, volatile organic compounds, and hexavalent chromium.

Peter Silva, the top water quality official at the Environmental Protection Agency, is leaving EPA In February. EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, in a memo to staff, said Silva is stepping down as assistant administrator for water on February 12, 2011.

The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure chairman John Mica (R-Fla.) announced the chairmen for each of the subcommittees under him for the 112th Congress.

As the 112th Congress convenes and the new legislative season begins to take shape, the picture for water infrastructure funding becomes a little clearer.

AGC has been meeting regularly with the Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration (PHMSA) and other industry stakeholders concerning an upcoming rulemaking on federal enforcement for 3rd party excavation damage where state damage prevention programs are deemed inadequate.

The 111th Congress saw Democratic control of both chambers by significant margins and the White House. The Senate Democrats had a 60 vote supermajority for a time and the House Democrats held an overwhelming majority of the seats. Several key bills advanced through significant legislative hurdles, but much work was left unfinished at the end of the 111th Congress, setting the stage for future legislative action.

This month’s edition of the Common Ground Alliance Monthly Update features an overview of a new partnership with United Rentals that includes adding 811 decals to more than 12,000 pieces of equipment as well as information about the upcoming CGA Annual Conference and Meeting.

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus introduced his bill to deal with the Bush era tax cuts, and it included the provision to remove the private activity bond volume cap for water and wastewater projects.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce kicked off its “Invest in Water” series of regional events last week at the New Jersey American Water Company. The summit on Aging Water Infrastructure was held with the Somerset County Business Partnership on November 23.