Thanks very much to all of you who wrote letters and contacted your Assembly Members to oppose AP371. They were likely the deciding factor in stopping this ill-advised legislation. CWEA and its partners have been extensively involved in promoting biosolids recycling for more than a decade.
From California Association of Sanitation Agencies (CASA) Lobbyist Mike Dillon:
After several weeks of strong lobbying efforts both by the CASA legislative team and significant grassroots efforts from the CASA membership, AB 371 was essentially “parked” when it was placed on the Assembly “Inactive File” during this morning’s Assembly Floor Session. CASA, the City of L.A., San Francisco PUC, LACSD, OCSD, and other groups launched an “all hands on deck” effort this week, lobbying all of the Assemblymembers on the bad precedent that the bill would enact, as well as warning members of the ongoing litigation, and presented sound scientific evidence supporting the land application of biosolids. Of significant impact were the compelling letters sent in from CASA members. Many legislative offices noted that they had received numerous letters from our member agencies in their districts expressing opposition to the bill. The letters from individual agencies were also used by CASA in lobbying efforts, appealing to specific legislators by demonstrating the direct district impact of the bill.
Midway into the Session this morning, AB 371 was procedurally moved from the “Third Reading File” – where bills are set to be eligible for a vote of the entire body – to the “Inactive File” – where bills are sent when they have either failed passage, are no longer being pursued, or are dropped for another reason. While this is a significant victory for CASA and our colleagues, the bill could still technically be moved from the Inactive File in the next few weeks leading up to the deadline for bills to be passed from their House of Origin (May 31st), but at this time we believe this is unlikely. This morning’s development is indicative that our efforts have paid off, and the bill probably did not have enough votes for passage.
CASA wants to express sincere gratitude for our members who took the time to write their individual legislators. These letters were the single most important tools in defeating this measure.
Read our previous action alert about this important issue.
Construction Inspection for Trenchless Rehabilitation
05/22/2013 – 1:00 – 3:00 pm Eastern
Introduction:
This webcast will provide information on construction inspection requirements and their applicability to the installation of trenchless technologies. The mandatory requirement for construction inspection on most other public works related construction will be referenced. Standard type specifications, quality assurance requirements and testing protocol are common to highway, bridge and new pipeline construction. However, the trenchless technology industry is rapidly becoming the preferred choice for pipeline rehabilitation because of its lower cost, less disruption, no excavation and environmentally sound approach to pipeline reconstruction. This webcast will further define the municipal owner’s and manufacturer’s need for quality workmanship and product installation, will describe what is typically taught to the inspector during training for different technologies, and how the inspector can obtain such training and certification.
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Wednesday, May 22 Construction Inspection for Trenchless Rehabilitation • The municipal owner’s and manufacturer’s need for quality workmanship and product * This webcast is sponsored by NASSCO with the support of LMK Technologies Don’t Forget to Register For Collection Systems 2013! |
Continuing Education
2.0 Professional Development Hours (PDHs) may be earned for participation in this webcast. Please note: Webcast participants are responsible for exploring their state requirements to have their Educational Credits approved for credit. See the individual webcast page for additional information.
Questions?
Please contact us via email at webcasts@wef.org.
The Water Environment Federation (WEF) proudly announces the 2013 state winners of the U.S. Stockholm Junior Water Prize (SJWP)—the most prestigious youth award for a water-related science project (see complete list below). WEF Member Associations (MAs) selected and will sponsor state winners and their science teachers to attend the national competition, hosted by the Pacific Northwest Clean Water Association, June 14-15, 2013, in Portland, Ore.
The purpose of the SJWP program is to increase students’ interest in water-related issues and research and to raise awareness about global water challenges. The competition is open to projects aimed at enhancing the quality of life through improvement of water quality, water resources management, water protection, and water and wastewater treatment.
“WEF congratulates these talented state winners, who represent some of the most innovative thinking in water science today,” said WEF President Cordell Samuels. “We wish them the best of luck at the national competition and are very grateful to our Member Associations for their tremendous support of this important program. WEF’s continued support for the SJWP underscores our commitment to the development of future professionals in the water sector.” [Read more]
Three California agencies have feature articles in this month’s Water Environment & Technology (WE&T) magazine from WEF. The success stories and in-depth training articles show how California agencies are at the forefront of the wastewater treatment profession.
Click here to access articles (a WEF membership and log-in are required)
Be sure to congratulate these outstanding California professionals on their articles:
- Adel Hagekhalil and Lisa B. Mowery – City of Los Angeles – Rate Increases in This Economy? The City of Los Angeles Shows it Can Be Done
See the City’s outstanding public presentation about the sewer service charge by clicking here. - Jose Rodrigues and James Mcpherson, Union Sanitary District – What Every Operator Should Know About Sanitary Sewer Overflows
- Dave Pitts, Chris Penales, Marva Thompson and Yadira Downing, Sacramento Area Sewer District - Sacramento’s ‘Pipe Dream’ = Data Accuracy and Big Savings
