CASA Connects Post-Holiday Edition
Happy New Year! 2020 brings several exciting initiatives planned for the new year, including crossing the goal line with our non-flushable wipes legislation, continuing to educate and advocate on how to address PFAS, and helping our agencies address concerns surrounding climate change. Most importantly, we look forward to another year of working together with you.
From all of us at CASA
, we wish you a successful and very Happy New Year.
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Winter Conference
Kick-off the new year by joining us at the winter conference in Indian Wells January 21 – 23, 2020 (Tuesday – Thursday). Hear from experts on topics we’re all concerned about, including the latest legislative and regulatory developments, cutting edge technologies, workforce development and more. Plus, join us to bid a fond farewell to our outgoing Executive Director Bobbi Larson at the Wednesday Conference Luncheon. Check out the
program
to get a jump start on your planning.
Registration is still open for our 2020 Winter Conference. CASA’s room block is full at the Renaissance Esmeralda but rooms are available at the going rate. Contact
Cheryl MacKelvie
to get on the waiting list or to find out about hotels near our conference location. We look forward to seeing you in Palm Springs!
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Help us Welcome Our New Communications Analyst
We are pleased to welcome new staff member Alyssa Downs to the CASA team! Alyssa will serve as Communications Analyst for the association with a focus on providing timely and relevant information to members, legislators, and the public on clean water and beneficial reuse issues. Alyssa’s day-to-day work includes the production of the CASA Connects newsletter, development of content for traditional and social media, creation of outreach materials supporting CASA’s advocacy agenda, and coordination with the Communications Committee.
Prior to joining CASA, Alyssa worked with Central Contra Costa Sanitary District’s Communications team on a variety of public outreach materials, campaigns, social media, and newsletters. During her time at Central San, she developed a strong passion for the important work of the wastewater industry. Alyssa holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication Studies from California State University, Stanislaus. We are excited to have her on board. Be sure to say hello to Alyssa at the winter conference in Indian Wells!
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Legislative and Regulatory Updates
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Administration Releases Draft 2020 Water Resilience Portfolio
On Friday, January 3, the Newsom Administration released its draft
2020 Water Resiliency Portfolio
. The portfolio has been in development since the Governor released his Executive Order N-10-19 in April, which directed a multi-agency effort to modernize the State’s water systems to better prepare for a changing climate.
After significant stakeholder input, the draft report is now available for review and comment. The comprehensive report includes an overview of the State’s existing water systems and establishes the Governor’s priorities moving forward, including an extensive list of proposals for achieving the resiliency priorities outlined in the portfolio. Several key proposals will be of significant interest to CASA members, particularly in the areas of water recycling, water quality, stormwater capture, permit streamlining, and climate change preparedness. CASA will be submitting comments on the draft portfolio, which are due in early February.
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Maintaining Service During a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS)
Many of you may be familiar with the term Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS), though it has become much more common in recent years. PSPSs occur during fire weather conditions. When a Red Flag Warning is declared by the National Weather Service, or any combination of criteria reviewed by the electric utilities determines there is a risk to public safety, the utility may turn off electricity to a subset of the service area. Through the 2019 fire season this was a very real challenge faced by wastewater agencies across California who maintained service during these events. Keeping pumping stations and treatment plants running without reliable power is no walk in the park. Check out one agency’s
story
about the PG&E outage, their district response measures, and their system’s performance.
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CASA Testifies on Environmental Lab Program
On December 18, CASA and its members appeared before the State Water Board and provided comments on the proposed regulations for the Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP).
CASA and many members of the municipal laboratory community were concerned that the Water Board’s staff’s proposal to require accreditation through adoption of the Nelac Institute (TNI) standards would have a detrimental impact on the small lab community across California. Multiple agencies and associations at the hearing also drew attention to the regulation's supporting documentation and how its calculations significantly underestimate the economic costs of compliance, as well as the societal ones. At the conclusion of the public hearing, the State Water Board Members directed ELAP staff to host a follow-up stakeholder meeting to review a CASA supported alternative, the California Quality Management System (QMS), in more detail. This workshop is scheduled for Friday, January 17. CASA’s comment
letter
is available. Please reach out to
Jared Voskuhl
if you have questions.
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LAO Releases Report on Preparing for Rising Sea Levels
The Legislative Analyst’s office (LAO) recently released a report entitled “How the State Can Help Support Local Coastal Adaptation Efforts.” The LAO performed more than 100 interviews and reviewed reports, academic literature, and statewide surveys on coastal adaptation and planning in effort to summarize how the state can best support adapting to sea level rise. The result of the research is a set of recommendations for legislature to support and enhance coastal adaptation efforts, including:
- Fostering regional-scale adaptation
- Supporting local planning and adaptation projects
- Providing information, assistance, and support
- Enhancing public awareness of SLR risks and impacts
The report concluded that legislative involvement will be needed when statutory changes are necessary to clarify and resolve issues, offer guidance, or provide funding. The Legislature could do this by holding policy and select committee hearings, proposing and participating in robust deliberation over legislation, and requesting research and input from experts within state departments and universities. The report is available
here
.
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Legislature Convenes 2020 Session
On Monday, January 6, the Legislature returned to Sacramento to kick off the 2020 Legislative Session. Both the Senate and Assembly held floor sessions where they adopted procedural items and the legislative schedules, in addition to other administrative actions required for conducting legislative business in the coming year. The Legislature is in the second year of a two-year session, and there will likely be some accelerated legislative activity this month to move bills leftover from last year that are subject to the “two-year” deadline at the end of January.
Additionally, later this week Governor Newsom will be releasing his 2020 Budget plan which outlines the state’s proposed spending for the upcoming year and serves as a preview for the Governor’s most significant policy priorities for the year. The state is again expected to be managing a revenue surplus, and the Governor will discuss his plans for additional revenues during a press conference about the Budget. Soon after the Budget is released, the Legislature will begin scheduling Budget subcommittee hearings for later this Spring to discuss all of the proposals included in the Governor’s plan.
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CASA Submits Comments on OPC Strategic Plan
The California Ocean Protection Council released its Draft Strategic Plan to Protect California’s Coast and Ocean (Draft Plan) in early November. Included in the Draft Plan was a new objective which directed the Council to adopt a deadline to reduce or eliminate wastewater discharges to the ocean by 80-100% and tying that objective to addressing ocean acidification and hypoxia. CASA initially requested an extension for the adoption of the plan which had been scheduled for the November meeting, and that request was granted. The Draft Plan will now be considered for adoption at the February 2020 meeting.
CASA formed a coalition with our state and regional water and wastewater association partners and jointly submitted
a comment letter
requesting that the new objective be taken out of the plan for a variety of reasons, and also requesting that the Council coordinate with the State Water Resources Control Board who’s recently adopted recycled water policy includes a goal relating to recycling all dry weather discharges where the flows can be beneficially used. CASA will continue to track this issue closely and work with the OPC to get this objectionable language modified or removed from the final Strategic Plan.
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Congratulations to Roland Williams of Castro Valley Sanitary District
CV San General Manager Roland was one of only six East Bay business leaders recognized as Business Partner of the Year by Eden Area ROP. The award is given annually to those who exemplify the partnership between Eden Area ROP and the business community. Congratulations, Roland!
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Here’s to 70 years of service!
This year, the Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA) celebrates 70 years of service to the Chino Basin. What a milestone! Congratulations to everyone who made it possible, and to those who continue to make IEUA what it is today. Here’s to 70 more years!
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USEPA Biosolids Webinars Available in January and February
Biosolids annual reports for 2019 activities are due to USEPA via electronic submission by February 19, 2020. To assist agencies with the process USEPA is conducting three training webinars on the reporting system and requirements. Registration for the webinar is available
here
.
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Save the Date for the 2020 Washington DC Policy Forum
Join us in Washington D.C. for a fast track program featuring renowned speakers and pre-arranged Capitol Hill visits with your California Representatives and their staff. Across the aisle and across the country, help us strengthen our advocacy and promote your federal agenda by going directly to the source. Your Representatives want to see and hear directly from you. Plan for your agency’s future by advocating for precious funding dollars and sustainable infrastructure in 2020!
Register Now
! Feb. 24-26, 2020, see you there!
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