Member Pipeline - Fax Alerts - May 7, 2004
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May 7, 2004
AMSA Moves Forward with Decontamination Planning Tool
AMSA has completed the review of proposals and has selected a contractor for a project titled Decontamination Wastewater Acceptance & Treatment – A Wastewater Utility Planning Tool (Planning Tool). The Planning Tool is funded by an EPA grant and, as envisioned, will enhance the level of awareness and preparedness within the wastewater treatment community regarding the potential sources and impacts of biological, chemical, and radiological contaminants from terrorist incidents. It will also examine the ability of wastewater treatment processes to withstand, treat, or remove those contaminants should they be introduced into the collection or treatment system. This Planning Tool will serve as a critical informational and planning resource for publicly owned treatment works. AMSA will meet with the contractor and EPA on June 1 to get the project underway and will provide members with updates of the project via future Alerts.Senate, House Discuss Limits
on Lease Financing, AMSA Seeks Member Input
The Senate and the House are continuing their debate on a portion of the JOBS Act bill (S.1637) and the Highway Funding Bill (HR 3967) (http://www.amsa-cleanwater.org/private/legreg/legupdate/leg_tracker.cfm) respectively, which seek to place limits on municipal lease financing. According to a March 17, 2004 U.S. Conference of Mayors memo and related talking points (http://www.amsa-cleanwater.org/private/legreg/outreach/2004-04-12mayor.pdf), these provisions would 1) drive up the cost of traditional leasing by severely limiting tax deductions for companies that lease equipment and property to cities and other tax exempt entities; and 2) shut down sale-lease back transactions used by these entities to finance critical infrastructure needs. According to the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the legislation is written so broadly that it would apply to all leases, including traditional leasing of cars, trucks, copy machines, computers and other basic equipment. AMSA would like to hear from its members on how these limitations may affect publicly owned treatment works to determine whether further Association action is warranted on this issue. Please share any relevant information as soon as possible with AMSA's Adam Krantz at 202-833-4651 or akrantz@amsa-cleanwater.org. This issue will be discussed at the Management & Operations Committee meeting at the upcoming May National Environmental Policy Forum and 34th Annual Meeting (see story below).Advanced Registration Deadline for
AMSA’s 2004 May Policy Forum Nears, Register Now!
AMSA’s 2004 National Environmental Policy Forum (NEPF) & 34th Annual Meeting, Politics, Policy & POTWs, is rapidly approaching so be sure to register by the Thursday, May 13, 2004 deadline to ensure that you are included in the Policy Forum Participants List, which will be included in the registration materials that will be distributed to all conference attendees. Attendees can register online at AMSA’s Conference’s and Meeting’s webpage (http://www.amsa-cleanwater.org/meetings/04nepf/).This year’s conference will showcase the priorities and perspectives of national leaders, movers and shakers. With notable keynote speakers such as grassroots expert Amy Showalter, political pundit Charlie Cook, and EPA’s Acting Assistant Administrator for Water, and Bush’s nominee to be Assistant Administrator, Ben Grumbles. Also scheduled to attend are Senator John Warner (R-VA), Member of the Environment & Public Works Committee, Atlanta Mayor, Shirley Franklin and Washington, DC, Mayor Anthony Williams. In addition to these high profile elected officials the conference will also feature key EPA officials including James Hanlon, Director of EPA’s Office of Wastewater Management, Diane Regas, Director of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds, and Geoffrey Grubbs, Director of the Office of Science and Technology. Don’t miss what promises to be a highly informative and engaging conference. Register today!