Amends provisions of the Massachusetts Water Management Act (GL c.21G) requiring the Department of Environmental Protection to create standards for restoring and maintaining stream flows, water levels and hydrologic regimes that are protective of natural aquatic life for all rivers and streams in the Commonwealth. These regulations are supposed to ‘ensure a balance among competing … Read more
This Senate Bill seeks to amend Ch. 164 of the MA General Laws allow an “opt-out” of wireless meter and replacement with analog meter at no cost to the consumer. Adds new provisions to GL c.164 (Manufacture and Sale of Gas and Electricity) that requires the use of ‘smart meters’ in keeping track of utility … Read more
From EPA: The Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Army, and Army Corps of Engineers (the agencies) are proposing a rule to rescind the Clean Water Rule and re-codify the regulatory text that existed prior to 2015 defining “waters of the United States” or WOTUS. This action would, when finalized, provide certainty in the interim, pending … Read more
H3388 Dig Safe law changes Review of bill by Utility Contractors of New England: UCANE – Section by Section Summary) – An Act Relative to Improving Public Safety in Excavation (June 2017)(HB3388)
from “This Week in Washington” (Water Environment Federation) Bipartisan Clean Water Bill Introduced in House Also during Infrastructure Week 2017, H.R. 2510, the Water Quality Protection and Job Creation Act of 2017, was introduced by Ranking Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Vice Chair of the House Committee on … Read more
from “This Week In Washington” (Water Environment Federation) Bipartisan Water Bill Introduced in Senate During Infrastructure Week 2017, U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and John Boozman (R-Ark.), both senior members of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW), introduced bipartisan legislation to bring affordable relief to America’s crumbling water infrastructure systems. The bill, S. … Read more
from “This Week In Washington” (Water Environment Federation) House Hearing Focuses on Integrated Planning On Thursday, May 19, the Water Resources & Environment Subcommittee of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee held a hearing examining the EPA’s implementation of the integrated planning policy, and looked at ways to help EPA, states, and municipalities in developing … Read more
Mass Rivers Alliance Proposes has recently petitioned MassDEP to impose water conservation conditions on Water Registration Volume renewals. Registrations will expire and renewals are due December 31, 2017. The requested conditions are as follows: a) Preparation of a written water conservation plan that incorporates and achieves the Commission’s Standards, including but not limited to, 65 … Read more
Currently in Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture, Senate Bill 456 proposes a mandate for water suppliers to fully replace lead service lines at every school district, charter school, nonpublic school, and early childhood program that they serve within 3 years of becoming law. This would be first-time mandate for water suppliers to … Read more
taken from Paintsquare.com, story by Eric J. Conn: The Trump Administration submitted a blueprint budget for 2018 to Congress proposing $2.5 billion in cuts to the U.S. Department of Labor’s operating budget. The president’s proposed budget expressly calls for reduced funding for grant programs, job training programs for seniors and disadvantaged youth, and support for … Read more