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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-17-2010 Steering Committee Agenda Packet Orange County Sanitation District o��,j sAAffir ,ti Wednesday,November 17, 2010 Regular Meeting of the � 5:30 P.M. Steering Committee o Administration Building Conference Rooms A & B 10844 Ellis Avenue Per/Ns THE ENJ\Po� Fountain Valley, CA (714) 593-7130 AGENDA DECLARATION OF QUORUM: PUBLIC COMMENTS: If you wish to speak,please complete a Speaker's Form and give it to the Clerk of the Board. Speakers are requested to limit comments to three minutes. REPORTS: The Committee Chair and the General Manager may present verbal reports on miscellaneous matters of general interest to the Directors. These reports are for information only and require no action by the Directors. ACTION ITEMS: 1. Approve the Minutes of the October 27, 2010, Steering Committee meeting. 2. Recommend to the Board of Directors to: A. Approve the Five-Year Strategic Plan dated November 2010; and B. Direct staff to implement the goals and levels of service contained in the Plan. INFORMATION ITEMS: 3. Public Affairs Report (Gold) 11/17/10 Steering Committee Agenda Page 1 of 3 CLOSED SESSION: During the course of conducting the business set forth on this agenda as a regular meeting of the Board, the Chair may convene the Board in closed session to consider matters of pending real estate negotiations,pending or potential litigation, or personnel matters,pursuant to Government Code Sections 54956.8, 54956.9, 54957 or 54957.6, as noted. Reports relating to(a)purchase and sale of real property;(b)matters of pending or potential litigation;(c) employment actions or negotiations with employee representatives; or which are exempt from public disclosure under the California Public Records Act, may be reviewed by the Board during a permitted closed session and are not available for public inspection. At such time as the Board takes final action on any of these subjects, the minutes will reflect all required disclosures of information. Convene in closed session. (1) CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL RE. EXISTING LITIGATION (Subdivision (a) of Section 54956.9) Case: City of Los Angeles, OCSD, et al. v. County of Kern, U.S. District Court Case, Central District of California, No. CV 06-5094 GAF (VBKx) (2) CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL RE. INITIATION OF LITIGATION (Government Code Section 54956.9(c)) Number of Potential Cases: 2 a) Solano County Measure E Amicus Support b) School District Capital Facilities Capacity Charges Reconvene in regular session. Consideration of action, if any, on matters considered in closed session. OTHER BUSINESS AND COMMUNICATIONS OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA ITEMS, IF ANY: ADJOURNMENT: The next Steering Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, December 15, 2010, at 5:30 p.m. 11/17/10 Steering Committee Agenda Page 2 of 3 Accommodations for the Disabled: The Board of Directors Meeting Room is wheelchair accessible. If you require any special disability related accommodations, please contact the Orange County Sanitation District Clerk of the Board's office at(714)593-7124 at least 72 hours prior to the scheduled meeting. Requests must specify the nature of the disability and the type of accommodation requested. Agenda Posting: In accordance with the requirements of California Government Code Section 54954.2,this agenda has been posted in the main lobby of the District's Administrative offices not less than 72 hours prior to the meeting date and time above. All public records relating to each agenda item, including any public records distributed less than 72 hours prior to the meeting to all, or a majority of all, of the members of District's Board,are available for public inspection in the office of the Clerk of the Board,located at 10844 Ellis Avenue, Fountain Valley, California. Items Not Posted: In the event any matter not listed on this agenda is proposed to be submitted to the Committee for discussion and/or action, it will be done in compliance with Section 54954.2(b) as an emergency item or because there is a need to take immediate action,which need came to the attention of the Committee subsequent to the posting of agenda, or as set forth on a supplemental agenda posted in the manner as above, not less than 72 hours prior to the meeting date. Matters of interest addressed by a member of the public and not listed on this agenda cannot have action taken by the Committee except as authorized by Section 54954.2(b). The Committee Chair will determine if any items are to be deleted from the consent calendar. Items Continued: Items may be continued from this meeting without further notice to a Committee meeting held within five (5)days of this meeting per Government Code Section 54954.2(b)(3). Meeting Adjournment: This meeting may be adjourned to a later time and items of business from this agenda may be considered at the later meeting by Order of Adjournment and Notice in accordance with Government Code Section 54955 (posted within 24 hours). Notice to Committee Members: For any questions on the agenda or to place any items on the agenda, Committee members should contact the Committee Chair or Clerk of the Board ten days in advance of the Committee meeting. Committee Chair: Larry R. Crandall (714)593-4400 General Manager: James D. Ruth (714)593-7110 General Counsel: Brad Hogin (714)415-1006 Clerk of the Board: Donna Terrones (714)593-7130 E-mail: dterrones(@ocsd.com 11/17/10 Steering Committee Agenda Page 3 of 3 STEERING COMMITTEE Meeting Date To Bd. of Dir. 11/17/10 11/17/10 AGENDA REPORT Item Number Item Number 2 Orange County Sanitation District FROM: James D. Ruth, General Manager Originator: Robert P. Ghirelli, Assistant General Manager GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION A. Approve the Five-Year Strategic Plan dated November 2010; and, B. Direct staff to implement the goals and levels of service contained in the Plan. SUMMARY The strategic plan has been updated for 2010-11 and contains a summary of accomplishments over the past year as well as levels of service, and a new goal to review the urban runoff diversion program to ensure fair share recovery of costs for services. The plan does not carry any additional costs associated with the new goal and current goals and levels of service. PRIOR COMMITTEE/BOARD ACTIONS October 20, 2010: The Board of Directors conducted a strategic planning workshop. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Strategic Plan Update Process In 2007, the Board of Directors held a series of workshops to develop a Five-Year Strategic Plan containing not only goals and levels of service, but also updated statements of mission, vision and core values. The three month process culminated in adoption of a new plan in November 2007. The plan was updated with new goals in November 2008 and December 2009. To update the plan for 2010, the Executive Management Team (EMT) met in July 2010 to discuss preliminary ideas and suggestions for updates to the plan. A strategic planning framework was adopted that promotes a clear linkage among the Board's strategic goals, the annual budget priorities, and resource allocations. A major staff realignment was announced at a joint meeting of department heads and managers in August that is designed to position OCSD to accomplish the strategic plan goals and levels of service. Form No.DW-102.1 Page 1 of 3 Board Input On October 20, the Board of Directors participated in a workshop to discuss the progress to date and heard presentations by members of the EMT regarding biosolids management, energy sustainability, local sewers, CIP and asset management, rates, and leadership development. While the discussion did not yield any significant modification of the existing plan, several Board Members had comments and questions. A summary of the comments (and staff responses) is presented below: Urban runoff program -- look at our urban runoff diversion program as a source of revenue. Apply full cost recovery principle to the program. Staff response: a new goal was added to the strategic plan update to review the District's urban runoff program and ensure a fair share recovery of costs for services. Rates -- start communicating with stakeholders about upcoming rate increases. Attend city council meetings to begin educating elected officials about what's coming in 2013. Staff response: staff will include this suggestion as part of a comprehensive communication outreach strategy leading up to the Board of Directors' deliberations on rate-setting in 2013. Succession planning -- what are we doing about succession planning to build the bench of future leaders at OCSD? Staff response: staff will provide a briefing for the Administration Committee about the Sanitation District's succession planning and leadership development programs. Grants -- should we be doing more to go after state and federal grants? Staff response: staff will include a discussion of the district's activities in this area at the Steering Committee Legislative strategy session in early 2011 and seek direction from the Committee. Plan Changes In addition to the new goal (marked "new" in the plan) there are some other minor, non- substantive changes from last year's plan. The changes are: Environmental Stewardship Goals -- Climate Change/Environmental Footprint Initiative: • Replaced general "placeholder" goals with specific action items and deadlines. Environmental Stewardship Goals— OCSD will be a good neighbor. • Added a footnote to explain odor complaint values. Business Principle Goals -- Local Sewer Services • Simplified language to clarify intent of goal is to transfer local sewer assets that do not serve a true regional purpose. Form No.DW-102.1 Page 2 of 3 Plan Changes (cont'd) Wastewater Management Goals -- Sustainable Biosolids Program: • The research goal was expanded to include activities related to increasing the production of digester gas. Wastewater Management Levels of Service (LOS) -- OCSD will provide a safe, reliable effluent for recycling: • Updated the LOS targets to reflect current regulatory and GWRS specification requirements. Wastewater Management Levels of Service -- OCSD will implement a sustainable biosolids management program: • Added a new LOS target to reflect current standard operating procedure for responding to biosolids vendor violations. Workplace Environment Levels of Service -- OCSD will take care of its people: • Replaced language to clarify intent of LOS target related to reducing the number of lost work days due to accidents and injuries (the target value did not change). Continual Improvement Overall, the updated Strategic Plan continues OCSD's goal of moving from good to great through annual assessments and incremental changes. Each year, the Board will be asked to provide strategic leadership and guidance to District staff for setting goals and levels of service. The Steering Committee and Board are asked to adopt the new Five-Year strategic plan, which contains no new costs and will help guide the strategic direction of the organization and staff. CEQA Adoption of the strategic plan is statutorily exempt from CEQA because it involves only feasibility or planning studies for possible future actions which the board has not approved, adopted, or funded. The strategic plan will not have a legally binding effect on later activities. BUDGET / DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY COMPLIANCE N/A ATTACHMENT: November 2010 Strategic Plan separate attachment Form No.DW-102.1 Page 3 of 3 STEERING COMMITTEE Meeting Date To Bd. of Dir. 11/17/10 AGENDA REPORT Item Number Item Number 3 Orange County Sanitation District FROM: James D. Ruth, General Manager Originator: Michael Gold, Public Affairs GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION Information Only SUMMARY This report is the monthly Public Affairs Division update that includes legislative and political information from Washington, D.C. and Sacramento. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Federal Legislative Update Legislative Advocate: Eric Sapirstein, ENS Resources Overview The 2010 election marked the third consecutive wave (or sea change) with the Republicans taking control of the House of Representatives and making gains in the Senate. The election marks the return to divided government with Republicans in charge in the House and Democrats holding the White House and Senate. The election symbolized voters' dissatisfaction with Washington politics and years of gridlock, as well as deep frustration over the poor economy. What is most striking is that between retirements and losses, many of the old guard members are gone so there is a new crop of leaders, meaning there will be new faces heading up committees and in the minority role. What is clear is there will probably be a shake-up with Democrats as Nancy Pelosi may relinquish her role as party leader. With many losses, it is unclear who will serve as minority committee leaders. John Boehner of Ohio will become the Speaker of the House and Steny Hoyer of Maryland could become Minority Leader. Both men are considered Washington insiders and understand the public's desire to get things done. Outlook for the lame duck session The current Congress will return on November 15 to address some heavy issues before they adjourn. Topping the list will be reaching agreement on the Bush tax cuts that expire on December 31. Next would be a budget/spending bill. Page 1 of 3 Mr. Boehner has stated he wants spending cuts with no earmarks using 2008 as the benchmark for overall budget levels. Congress could either craft an omnibus spending bill or a continuing resolution. The fate of other non-budget matters will depend on the budget — if members can find common ground on the budget, they might tackle other issues. However, of interest to OCSD is that regardless of the budget, the reorganization of Congress means more review of environmental programs, such as the Clean Water Act, with an eye toward reducing federal mandates. On earmarks, there could be a showdown between the chambers as the Senate is maintaining its right of controlling the purse strings while the House could extend the moratorium adopted by the Republic conference earlier this year. While Congress may find itself in continued gridlock, we believe that the Administration and particularly EPA will pursue an aggressive plan to impose new mandates on those issues unresolved by Congress. For example, for the past few years Congress has been trying to pass legislation changing the definition of the waters of the US. In the new Congress, this issue will probably die so the EPA may seek an administrative definition. There are a few issues where this scenario could occur. Outlook for the 112th Congress The new Congress will look much different and while the public wants Congress to solve problems it might be difficult given the composition. For the Republican majority in the House, the new tea party members, as well as those elected on the promise to cut government spending and the deficit, mean more fiscal conservatism and possibly a stronger anti-Wall Street sentiment. On the Democratic side, a number of Blue Dogs, or conservative Democrats, lost their seats so the caucus is much more liberal. There are fewer moderates on both sides. The Senate lost a number of long-time members and has more tea party supporters. While the Democrats retained their majority, it is smaller meaning more stalled legislation and protracted debates. Eric Sapirstein has prepared a list of possible committee structures in the House and Senate and potential leaders. This list is attached. State Legislative Report Legislative Advocates: Christopher Townsend, Heather Stratman and Casey Elliott, Townsend Public Affairs State Political Highlights The election is the big news in California. While most of the country saw a Republican wave sweep state and national elections, California was the exception. As has been widely reported, Democrats took all the top spots in California, with the Attorney Page 2 of 3 General Race still too close to call (at the time of this report). Here is some additional information about the results and what they mean for OCSD. Governor Jerry Brown was elected on November 2 for his "third" term as Governor of California. With his election, Democrats will control both houses, which will have a big impact on a number of policies. Unlike his predecessors, Brown did not have a large campaign staff to transition to cabinet positions so it will be quite some time before we know who will be heading various agencies. Brown did state he wanted to get to work immediately on the budget deficit and other pressing issues. Legislature As a result of term limits, 38 new members were elected to the legislature, but the overall party composition did not change. No incumbents lost seats despite voter frustration with California's government. Leadership in both houses will remain largely the same. Statewide Ballot Measures The big news for OCSD is the passage of Proposition 22. As has been reported, Proposition 22 tightens up many of the local government protection measures that were part of Proposition 1A (2004) but also adds some protections that will secure our property taxes. First, the Legislature may no longer borrow, take or reallocate local taxes for its purposes. The second key issue (particularly to OCSD) is that State cannot change our share of property taxes and reallocate funds to pay for a new program, higher level of service or mandate. In other words, the State cannot impose a mandate on the County of Orange and direct property taxes from OCSD to pay for that service. CEQA N/A Attachments: CASA Election Report Congressional Committees Page 3 of 3 CASA ' CAL/fNNN/A ASSNC/Al/ON of SANIIAl/ON AffNC/fS 1215 K Street,Suite 2290,Sacramento,CA 95814(916)446-0388 FAX(916)231-2141 www.casaweb.org VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL November 4, 2010 TO: CASA Member Agencies CASA Associates CASA Legislative Committee CASA Executive Board CASA Attorneys FROM: Mike Dillon, Lobbyist Christina DiCaro, Lobbyist Jessica (Hansen) Gauger, Legislative Assistant RE: News From the Capitol NEW SESSION - NEW FACES The November election brings many changes to the dynamic in Sacramento including the return of former Governor Jerry Brown to the State Capitol for his third term as Governor. During the next few months leading up to the inauguration of Jerry Brown in January 2011, the "transition team" for the new administration will be working to assemble the incoming Governor's cabinet and staff. The transition process includes interviewing hundreds of applicants for key positions, which could potentially be filled by his campaign staff, former legislators, and possibly some existing staff from the Schwarzenegger Administration or previous Governor, Gray Davis' Administration. The Governor's leadership team will likely be announced just prior to his inauguration in January, although they will be working behind the scenes beginning immediately following the November 2nd election. Governor-Elect Brown has already indicated that, among other tasks, he will start working this week alongside existing Department of Finance staff to craft the 2011 Governor's January Budget, which must be released by the January 10, 2011 Constitutional deadline. Additionally, the November election brings many changes to the legislature, with more than two dozen legislators "terming out," several legislators switching houses, and a freshman class of 29 newly elected representatives coming to Sacramento for their first term. Only one seat has changed hands in the Assembly as Democrats captured a seat in the Sacramento region previously held by the Republicans. In the Senate, the composition is not likely to change. However, a full house will not be seated until well after the first of the year due to two special elections being held to fill the vacancies that were created while two incumbents died while in office. After the legislature convenes on December 6th to swear in the new members, the newly elected legislators will participate in a "crash course" in legislative procedure which includes important information about their new responsibilities, from how to introduce a bill, to committee procedures. Additionally, election years often create an abundance of staff turnover in the Capitol, with familiar faces often turning up in different offices or positions. These seasoned staffers often assist in familiarizing new legislators with legislative protocol, deadlines, etc. CASA Members will be encouraged to visit with their new legislators in early 2011 to educate them about wastewater and related issues. PROPOSITION 22 PASSES BY STRONG MAJORITY— PROTECTS LOCAL REVENUES On Tuesday voters overwhelming approved Proposition 22, the "Local Taxpayer, Public Safety, and Transportation Protection Act of 2010" by a margin of 61% to 39%. The definitive vote indicates that Californians felt local revenues, including property taxes, should remain local and not be borrowed or taken by the State in order to balance the Budget. Proposition 22 restricts the Legislature's authority over revenues from transportation funds, property taxes, and vehicle license fees. The initiative, which was sponsored by the League of California Cities and the California Transit Association. The coalition supporting the initiative was a diverse mix of public safety, transit, and local government groups, including CASA, the California Fire Chiefs Association, the California Police Chiefs Association, the California Special Districts Association and many others. For more information on Proposition 22, go to www.lao.ca.gov for an impartial analysis of the initiative by the state's Legislative Analyst's Office. PROPOSITION 25 — "MAJORITY VOTE BUDGET" INITIATIVE PASSES The California Constitution requires that the legislature secure a two-thirds vote of each house in order to pass the annual State Budget bill. Over the last few years, Democrat leaders at the Capitol have blamed the two-thirds vote for being one of the largest barriers to achieving an on-time Budget. Under the current system, they argue, the Minority Party has too much influence in holding up the annual Budget vote. On November 2nd the voters soundly passed the initiative on a vote of 54.8% to 45%. Specifically, Proposition 25 lowers the vote requirement from the current 2/3rds vote to a majority (50 plus one) vote on the Budget bill. According to the State's Legislative Analyst's Office, "The lower vote requirement also would apply to trailer bills that appropriate funds and are identified by the Legislature `as related to the budget in the budget bill."' However, intent language in the initiative reaffirms the requirement that any tax increases will still need a 2/3 vote by the legislature. In October, the Public Policy Institute of California held an event to discuss the pros and cons of Proposition 25, featuring former Governor Pete Wilson and former Assembly Speaker Willie Brown. The PPIC noted that only California, Rhode Island, and Arkansas have the two-thirds vote requirement for passage of a state Budget and that in California, this requirement has been in existence since 1933. PPIC Director, Mark Baldassare offered however, "In looking at other states, New York has no constraints on their budgeting process and yet they are consistently late. So, the two-thirds isn't always the problem." Governor Wilson contended that due to a legal interpretation from the measure's opponents, the measure would allow the legislature to hide tax increases within the Budget bill and pass it on a majority vote. He added, "It didn't make sense in 1933 and it doesn't make sense now." Speaker Willie Brown said it was inappropriate for "irresponsible people" to block passage of the Budget each year, and he shared his concern for how the overall Budget drafting process has deteriorated over the years. "What you get now is a horrible, mauled product. I think the majority vote will force substantive work on the Budget." He and Governor Wilson agreed that in 1991 when they served together, they negotiated the Budget by "[starting] off with a basis of mutual respect and understanding" They both noted that the collegiality of their era is largely missing from the current legislature and that term limits are a major contributor to those divisive, distant relationships. With the passage of Proposition 25 on Tuesday, the 2011-12 Budget will be the first State funding plan to be enacted under the majority vote model. It will be an interesting litmus test of whether or not this new change in the vote threshold will lead to more timely Budgets, or if it will result in the words of Susan Kennedy, Chief of Staff to Governor Schwarzenegger and former Governor Gray Davis; "The Democrats are going to be like the dog that caught the car." PROPOSITION 26 — 2/3 VOTE FOR STATE/LOCAL FEES The voters also approved Proposition 26 by a vote of 53% to 47%, which expands the definition of a "tax" to include many state and local government assessments currently classified as "fees." It also provides that any "change" in state statute that results in "any taxpayer" paying a higher tax must be passed by a 2/3 vote of the Legislature. It is co- sponsored by the California Chamber of Commerce and the California Taxpayers Association, and it had several hundred organizations and small businesses supporting it. Opposition came primarily from health organizations, (e.g. American Lung Association), environmental groups, including the Sierra Club, etc., and several government organizations including the League of Cities, and State Association of Counties. On behalf of CASA, we monitored the Joint Hearing of the Senate and Assembly Committees on Revenue and Taxation, which as required by law, must hold joint hearings on certain initiatives. Testimony at the hearing revealed that there are a lot of ambiguities in the proposition, and that there will certainly be many legal challenges regarding some of the language. At this time, it is uncertain to most of us in Sacramento as to what the impact will be on state and local fees. The sponsors of the measure argue that they are trying to address the so-called Sinclair Paint Company v. State Bd. Of Equalization case. In that case, as you may recall, the Legislature enacted, by a simple majority vote, a program to impose additional fees on paint manufacturers to provide evaluation, screening, and medically necessary follow-up services for children deemed to be victims of lead poisoning. With the passage of Proposition 26, any similar legislation in the future needs the 2/3 vote required for passage. This requirement would also be the case with oil recycling fees, hazardous materials fees, etc., imposed on businesses for general purposes such as cleanup and prevention. With respect to local government, the proponents argue that any fees imposed at the local level designed to mitigate the impacts of traffic on roadways, an assessment to abate a nuisance, etc., would now require a vote of the people rather than an action by the local legislative body. At this time, and with the information we have, we don't believe Proposition 26 would have any impact on typical user fees related to services, as the fees are directly related to the services being provided to the users, and not a benefit to the community at large for a purpose not directly related to the fee. In information distributed at the Joint Hearing, proponents of Proposition 26 noted that the measure was intended to address, for example: • health inspection/monitoring fees, traffic, parking, noise abatement, and air quality impact fees for education, cleanup, health or other programs of general benefit, • water quality impact fees for education, cleanup, health or other programs of eg neral benefit, • Trenching fees for diminution in durability or longevity of roads, traffic congestion or mitigation, mitigate potential damage to existing infrastructure. • Fees on alcohol to mitigate public nuisances associated with sale or consumption, • Etc. etc. We will continue to explore the issues surrounding Proposition 26 and if we find additional information, we will pass it on. In the meantime, the CASA Attorneys Committee will be reviewing Proposition 26 at their upcoming Fall meeting. Potential Congressional Committee Structure ENS Resources As the election returns continue to be finalized, a number of changes to the committee structure will become known over the next several weeks. As of this time, retirements and defeats serve to define some of the changes that can be expected to unfold. From a House perspective, the outcome of the election means that the composition of the committees and subcommittees will change dramatically as Republicans assume control of committee membership. The Senate will not change majority control so the key impact will be a larger ratio of Republican sitting on committees. The following identifies some of the anticipated changes in key committee and subcommittee leadership positions based on the election returns. These are speculative given the large number of vacancies within the committees that may result in a political version of musical chairs. U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES A. Committee on Ways and Means (tax policy/infrastructure financing/pensions) Dave Camp (R-MI) is expected to become chair. Sander Levin (D-MI) would serve as Ranking Democrat. B. Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (highways/wastewater/Superfund/estuaries/flood protection/environmental infrastructure) John Mica (R-FL), Chairman with Nick Rahall (D-WV) or Peter DeFazio (D- OR) will serve as Ranking Democrat 1. Don Young (R-AK), Jimmy Duncan (R-TN), Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ) could become chair of the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) is the likely Ranking Democrat 2. Jimmy Duncan (D-TN) may opt to serve as the Highways and Transit Subcommittee Chair. Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Nick Joe Rahall (D-WV) or Jerry Nadler (D-NY) could become Ranking Democrat C. Committee on Energy and Commerce (energy/drinking water/health care) Fred Upton (R-MI) or Joe Barton (R-TX) may become chair, however, Barton would need to obtain a waiver from term limits to assume chair. Henry Waxman (D-CA) will likely become the Ranking Democrat. D. Committee on Budget (budget/pay as you go) Paul Ryan (R-WI) will become the chair and Alyson Schwartz (D-PA) is likely Ranking Democrat. E. Committee on Appropriations (spending) Hal Rogers (R-KY) or Jerry Lewis (R-CA) expected to be named chair, but like Joe Barton, Lewis requires a waiver from term limit rules to serve. Norm Dicks (D-WA) is likely Ranking Democrat. The Subcommittee on Energy and Water, which has jurisdiction over water projects and alternative energy programs will be chaired by Rodney Frelinghuysen (D- NJ) or Mike Simpson (D-ID). Ed Pastor (D-AZ) could become the Ranking Democrat. The Subcommittee on Interior and Environment,which has jurisdiction over EPA and Interior programs would be chaired by Mike Simpson (R-ID) or Ken Calvert (R-CA). Jim Moran (D-VA) would likely become Ranking Democrat. F. Committee on Natural Resources (water recycling/desalination/wild and scenic/parks/natural resources) Doc Hastings (R-WA) would serve as chair. Nick Joe Rahall (R-WV) would be the odds on favorite to serve as Ranking Democrat if he does not pursue another position as noted above. Dale Kildee (D-MI), Ed Markey (D-MA), or Eni Faleomavaega (D-American Samoa) are also in line to serve as Ranking Member. G. Committee on Agriculture (Farm Bill/nonpoint sources/rural water and wastewater infrastructure) Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) is in line to serve as chair. Colin Peterson (D-MN) would assume the Ranking Democrat slot. U.S Senate A. Committee on Agriculture (Farm Bill/nonpoint sources/rural water and wastewater infrastructure) Tom Harkin (D-ID) may assume chair if Patrick Leahy (D-VT) defers. No change is expected on Republican side, as Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) will remain in the senior role. B. Committee on Appropriations (spending) No changes are expected as Daniel Inouye (D-HI) remains chair and Thad Cochran (R-MS) will serve as Ranking Republican. Changes at the Subcommittee on Energy and Water are expected as Dianne Feinstein (D- CA) may assume chair. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) could become the Interior and Environment Subcommittee chair. C. Committee on Budget (budget/pay as you go) No changes in chair with Kent Conrad (D-ND). Jeff Sessions (R-AL) could assume the senior Republican position. D. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (energy/water recycling/desalination/natural resources) Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) will chair. Presuming Lisa Murkowski (AK) wins her write-in candidacy she will continue as Ranking Republican. E. Committee on Environment and Public Works (environmental infrastructure/flood protection/highways/water and wastewater infrastructure) Barbara Boxer (D-CA) continues as chair and James Inhofe (R-OK) will continue to serve as Ranking Republican. F. Committee on Finance (alternative financing PABS/Build America Bonds/Tax Credits) Max Baucus (MT) continues as chair and Chuck Grassley (ID) will remain in his position as Ranking Republican.