Washington Report - December 11, 2023

Due to the holidays and pending Congressional recess, the APWA Washington Report will be on hiatus and next published Jan. 8. Follow us on X and LinkedIn for updates.

Best wishes to you and yours for an enjoyable and safe holiday season.

Action Alert: Contact Congress for Greater Flexibility on Water Infrastructure Projects

It is vital Congress hear from you, as a public works professional and APWA member, on legislation impacting infrastructure, please take a minute to contact your U.S. Representative to urge them to cosponsor two bipartisan pieces of legislation: H.R. 250, the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) Parity Act; and H.R. 1181;
Both bills are consistent with APWA policy priorities supporting greater access to funding along with aligning permitting more closely with project construction schedules;
If you aren’t receiving APWA action alerts, text PWX to 52886.

Fall Enviro Regulatory Agenda Released

The Biden administration is planning to finalize several major environmental regulations in the first half of 2024, according to the Fall Regulatory Agenda;
The timeframe would help cement many of the President’s policy priorities:
- Rules that haven’t been finalized in the first half of 2024 are at risk of nullification through the Congressional Review Act if Republicans win control of Congress and the White House next year
Dates included in the agenda are usually rough targets and could change, typically slipping until later dates, but the document is a valuable snapshot of plans for 2024;
EPA has an array of pending water rules:
- Finalize update on lead in drinking water (Reg. 2040-AG16) by next September
- Finalize drinking limits for a handful of PFAS (Reg. 2040-AG18) though the administration has indicated it plans to beat the September deadline
- Finalize a Superfund listing for PFOA and PFOS by March (Reg. 2050-AH09)
- Propose limits on discharges of PFAS from chemical manufacturers in May (Reg. 2040-AG10)
- Propose a regulation limiting pollution from meat processing facilities this month (Reg. 2040-AG22)
- Finalize tighter limits on toxic discharges from coal power plants in April (2040-AG23)
The Council on Environmental Quality plans to issue final guidance to agencies in April instead of February on incorporating greenhouse gas emissions in National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reviews, (Reg. 0331-AA06) along with the NEPA Phase 2 rule, which included updates to permitting guidance.

FTA – All Stations Accessibility Program Applications Due Jan. 30

The Federal Transit Admin. (FTA) has announced IIJA funding for the All Stations Accessibility Program (ASAP);
$343M is available in FY 2024 grants, and eligible applicants include states and local governmental entities that operate or allocate funds to inaccessible pre-Americans with Disabilities Act legacy stations and facilities;
For additional information, contact Kevin Osborn at FTA’s Office of Program Management, 202-366-7519 or kevin.osborn@dot.gov.

FEMA Releases 2023 National Preparedness Report

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) released its 2023 National Preparedness Report (NPR) last week;
The 2023 NPR focuses on the state of the nation’s preparedness for all threats and hazards and how emergency managers must continue to adapt, establish new partnerships to mitigate these threats and hazards, and prepare for post-disaster challenges to help individuals and communities, this includes added emphasis on four core capabilities:
- Fire management and suppression
- Logistics and supply chain management
- Public health, healthcare, and emergency medical services
- Long-term vulnerability reduction
The 2023 NPR also identifies potential opportunities the federal government, state, local, tribal, and territorial governments, non-governmental organizations, volunteer organizations active in disasters, private sector, individuals, and households can use to build capability and address capacity gaps to bolster their disaster preparedness portfolio.

On the Horizon

All times ET.

Dec. 12 at 10 a.m., the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee will hold a hearing, Communities in Crisis: What Happens When Disaster Recovery Funds are Delayed;
Dec. 12 at 2 p.m., EPA will host an informational webinar about Water Technical Assistance and available resources to help ensure every community has access to funding;
Dec. 12 at 10:15 a.m., the House Committee on Education and the Workforce will vote on marking-up two workforce-related pieces of legislation A Stronger Workforce for America Act; and a bill enabling Pell Grants for short-term job-training programs;
Dec. 13 at 10 a.m., the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s Highways and Transit Subcommittee will hold a hearing on Oversight of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act: Modal Perspectives;
Dec. 13 at 2 p.m., the House Transportation and Infrastructure Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee will hold a hearing on Proposals for a Water Resources Development Act of 2024: Stakeholder Priorities.