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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-09-2019 Legislative Committee Meeting Complete Agenda PacketOrange County Sanitation District LEGISLATIVE AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE Regular Meeting Agenda Monday, December 9, 2019 - 12:00 PM Board Room Administration Building 10844 Ellis Avenue Fountain Valley, CA 92708 (714) 593-7433 ACCOMMODATIONS FOR THE DISABLED: Meeting Rooms are 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) 593-7433 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 outside the main gate of the Sanitation District’s Administration Building located at 10844 Ellis Avenue, Fountain Valley, California, and on the Sanitation District’s website at www.ocsd.com 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 the Board of Directors, are available for public inspection in the office of the Clerk of the Board. AGENDA DESCRIPTION: The agenda provides a brief general description of each item of business to be considered or discussed. The recommended action does not indicate what action will be taken. The Board of Directors may take any action which is deemed appropriate. MEETING AUDIO: An audio recording of this meeting is available within 24 hours after adjournment of the meeting. Please contact the Clerk of the Board's office at (714) 593-7433 to request the audio file. NOTICE TO DIRECTORS: To place items on the agenda for a Committee or Board Meeting, the item must be submitted in writing to the Clerk of the Board: Kelly A. Lore, MMC, (714) 593-7433 / klore@ocsd.com at least 14 days before the meeting. FOR ANY QUESTIONS ON THE AGENDA, BOARD MEMBERS MAY CONTACT STAFF AT: General Manager: Jim Herberg, jherberg@ocsd.com / (714) 593-7300 Asst. General Manager: Lorenzo Tyner, ltyner@ocsd.com / (714) 593-7550 Asst. General Manager: Rob Thompson, rthompson@ocsd.com / (714) 593-7310 Director of Human Resources: Celia Chandler, cchandler@ocsd.com / (714) 593-7202 Director of Engineering: Kathy Millea, kmillea@ocsd.com / (714) 593-7365 Director of Environmental Services: Lan Wiborg, lwiborg@ocsd.com / (714) 593-7450 LEGISLATIVE AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE Regular Meeting Agenda Monday, December 9, 2019 CALL TO ORDER PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE DECLARATION OF QUORUM: PUBLIC COMMENTS: If you wish to address the Committee on any item, please complete a Speaker’s Form (located at the table outside of the Board Room) and submit it to the Clerk of the Board or notify the Clerk of the Board the item number on which you wish to speak. Speakers will be recognized by the Chairperson and are requested to limit comments to three minutes. REPORTS: The Committee Chairperson 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. CONSENT CALENDAR: Consent Calendar Items are considered to be routine and will be enacted, by the Committee, after one motion, without discussion. Any items withdrawn from the Consent Calendar for separate discussion will be considered in the regular order of business. 1.2019-720APPROVAL OF MINUTES RECOMMENDATION: Approve Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Legislative and Public Affairs Committee held November 4, 2019. Originator:Kelly Lore Agenda Report 11-04-2019 Legislative Committee Minutes Attachments: NON-CONSENT: 2.2019-766PUBLIC AFFAIRS UPDATE FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER 2019 RECOMMENDATION: Recommend to the Board of Directors to: Receive and file the Public Affairs Update for the month of November 2019. Originator:Jim Herberg Agenda Report Outreach Report November 2019 Media Clips November 2019 Attachments: Page 1 of 3 LEGISLATIVE AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE Regular Meeting Agenda Monday, December 9, 2019 3.2019-779LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS UPDATE FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER 2019 RECOMMENDATION: Recommend to the Board of Directors to: Receive and file the Legislative Affairs Update for the month of November 2019. Originator:Jim Herberg Agenda Report Federal Update - ENS Resources.pdf Federal Legislative Matrix - ENS Resources.pdf State Update - Townsend Public Affairs.pdf State Legislative Matrix - Townsend Public Affairs.pdf Grant Matrix CASA Coalition Wipes Support Letter Attachments: 4.2019-7822020 LEGISLATIVE/REGULATORY PLAN RECOMMENDATION: Approve the Orange County Sanitation District 2020 Legislative and Regulatory Plan. Originator:Jim Herberg Agenda Report 2020 Legislative Regulatory Plan Attachments: 5.2019-785LEGISLATIVE CONCEPTS RECOMMENDATION: Approve Legislative Concept 2: Amend Public Contracting Code for sanitation districts to allow sanitation districts, whose service area includes a population of more than 1 million, the opportunity to utilize Job Order Contracting as a bid procurement procedure. This change should be an addition to Public Contract Code, Division 2, Part 3, Chapter 1, Article 50. Originator:Jim Herberg Agenda ReportAttachments: INFORMATION ITEMS: None. DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS: Page 2 of 3 LEGISLATIVE AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE Regular Meeting Agenda Monday, December 9, 2019 OTHER BUSINESS AND COMMUNICATIONS OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA ITEMS, IF ANY: BOARD OF DIRECTORS INITIATED ITEMS FOR A FUTURE MEETING: At this time Committee Members may request staff to place an item on a future agenda. ADJOURNMENT: The next Legislative and Public Affairs Committee meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 10, 2020 at 12:00 p.m. Page 3 of 3 Orange County Sanitation District LEGISLATIVE AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE Agenda Report Administration Building 10844 Ellis Avenue Fountain Valley, CA 92708 (714) 593-7433 File #:2019-720 Agenda Date:12/9/2019 Agenda Item No:1. FROM:James D. Herberg, General Manager Originator: Kelly A. Lore, Clerk of the Board SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF MINUTES GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION RECOMMENDATION: Approve Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Legislative and Public Affairs Committee held November 4, 2019. BACKGROUND In accordance with the Board of Directors Rules of Procedure,an accurate record of each meeting will be provided to the Directors for subsequent approval at the following meeting. RELEVANT STANDARDS ·Resolution No. OCSD 19-19 ATTACHMENT The following attachment(s)are included in hard copy and may also be viewed on-line at the OCSD website (www.ocsd.com) with the complete agenda package: ·Minutes of the Legislative and Public Affairs Committee meeting held November 4, 2019 Orange County Sanitation District Printed on 11/27/2019Page 1 of 1 powered by Legistar™ Orange County Sanitation District Minutes for the LEGISLATIVE AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE Monday, November 4, 2019 12:00 PM Board Room Administration Building 10844 Ellis Avenue Fountain Valley, CA 92708 (714) 593-7433 CALL TO ORDER A meeting of the Legislative and Public Affairs Committee was called to order by Committee Chair Peter Kim on Monday, November 4, 2019 at 12:01 p.m. in the Administration Building of the Orange County Sanitation District. Chair Kim led the pledge of allegiance. DECLARATION OF QUORUM: A quorum was declared present, as follows: Present:Peter Kim, Allan Bernstein, Lucille Kring, Christina Shea, David Shawver and John Withers Absent:Erik Peterson STAFF PRESENT: Jim Herberg, General Manager; Robert Thompson, Assistant General Manager; Lorenzo Tyner, Assistant General Manager; Kathy Millea, Director of Engineering; Tina Knapp, Assistant Clerk of the Board; Jennifer Cabral; Daisy Covarrubias; Lisa Frigo; Al Garcia; Rebecca Long; Kelly Lore; Kelly Newell; Tyler Ramirez; and Wally Ritchie. OTHERS PRESENT: Brad Hogin, General Counsel; Eric Sapirstein, ENS Resources (via teleconference); Eric O’Donnell, Townsend Public Affairs (TPA); Cori Williams, Townsend Public Affairs (TPA); Jessica Gauger, California Association of Sanitation Agencies; and Bruce Channing, Association of California Cities-Orange County. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None. REPORTS: Chair Kim reminded the Committee about the GWRS Final Expansion Groundbreaking event taking place on Friday, November 8 at the Orange County Water District. He also reminded the Committee that, due to upcoming holidays, the Board of Directors meetings will take place one week earlier than usual in November and December - November 20 and December 18. General Manager Jim Herberg did not provide a report. Page 1 of 4 LEGISLATIVE AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE Minutes November 4, 2019 CONSENT CALENDAR: 1.APPROVAL OF MINUTES 2019-697 Originator: Kelly Lore MOVED, SECONDED, AND DULY CARRIED TO: Approve Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Legislative and Public Affairs Committee held October 14, 2019. Ayes:Peter Kim, Allan Bernstein, Lucille Kring, Christina Shea, David Shawver and John Withers Noes:None Absent:Erik Peterson Abstentions:None NON-CONSENT: 2.PUBLIC AFFAIRS UPDATE FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER 2019 2019-696 Originator: Jim Herberg Administration Manager Jennifer Cabral introduced Daisy Covarrubia who was recently promoted to Principal Public Affairs Specialist who, in turn, provided an update on recent public affairs activities and upcoming activities. Chair Kim thanked staff for an outstanding State of the District event and Annual Report. WITHOUT OBJECTION ACTION TAKEN TO: Recommend to the Board of Directors to: Receive and file the Public Affairs Update for the month of October 2019. 3.LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS UPDATE FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER 2019 2019-698 Originator: Jim Herberg Rebecca Long, Senior Public Affairs Specialist, provided a brief recap on the State of the District event and indicated that OCSD is in the process of applying for a $3 million grant from CalRecycle. Eric Sapirstein, ENS Resources, provided a PowerPoint presentation and a brief overview of key legislative activities for the month including: FY 2020 Appropriation Page 2 of 4 LEGISLATIVE AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE Minutes November 4, 2019 Status, Extended NPDES Permit Terms and WOTUS, and PFAS/PFOA: National Defense Authorization Act. Eric O'Donnell and Cori Williams, TPA, provided a PowerPoint presentation recapping the legislative schedule and looking ahead, update to priority two-year bills, and legislative proposals for 2020, specifically OCSD-led legislative concepts. WITHOUT OBJECTION ACTION TAKEN TO: Recommend to the Board of Directors to: Receive and file the Legislative Affairs Update for the month of October 2019. INFORMATION ITEMS: 4.CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF SANITATION AGENCIES AND ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA CITIES-ORANGE COUNTY 2019-549 Originator: Jim Herberg Ms. Long introduced Jessica Gauger, Director of Legislative Advocacy for the California Association of Sanitation Agencies (CASA), who provided a PowerPoint presentation that overviewed the 2019 legislative priorities that included SB 332 (Hertzberg): Ocean Discharge, AB 1672 (Bloom): Wet wipe labeling, SB 69 (Wiener): Ocean Resiliency Act, and housing related bills. Ms. Gauger's presentation also provided an outlook for legislative interests for 2020. Ms. Long introduced Bruce Channing, Executive Director for the Association of California Agencies-Orange County (ACC-OC), who provided a PowerPoint presentation that overviewed the recent infrastructure tour; ACC-OC committees; the ACC-OC Legislative and Regulatory Committee; legislative platform issues; the ACC-OC Energy, Environment, and Water Committee; the ACC-OC Housing Committee; and a look-forward on ACC-OC positioning and activities. WITHOUT OBJECTION THIS ITEM WAS: Information Item. 5.DRAFT 2020 LEGISLATIVE/REGULATORY PLAN 2019-550 Originator: Jim Herberg Ms. Long provided a PowerPoint presentation on this item that reviewed guiding priciples of the legislative plan, how the plan is developed, new portions of the plan focusing on PFAS/PFOA, and the legislative team. Board Chair Shawver asked that the Legislative and Public Affairs Committee be added to the legislative team list. Chair Kim indicated that the Committee is in agreement with the plan and to move forward with Board approval. Using the concepts presented in the State legislative Page 3 of 4 LEGISLATIVE AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE Minutes November 4, 2019 update (Bill Concept 1 - Bid Advertising Requirements, Bill Concept 2 - Job Order Contracting, Bill Concept 3 - Video Surveillance, and Bill Concept 4 - Raising the Contract/Bid Threshold), Chair Kim summarized the interests of the Committee by indicating that there is interest to move forward with Bill Concepts 1, 2, and 4; and asked that these items be presented to the Committee in December (draft Bill language and prioritization of each Bill Concept). WITHOUT OBJECTION THIS ITEM WAS: Information Item. DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS: None. CLOSED SESSION: None. OTHER BUSINESS AND COMMUNICATIONS OR SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA ITEMS, IF ANY: None. BOARD OF DIRECTORS INITIATED ITEMS FOR A FUTURE MEETING: None. ADJOURNMENT: Committee Chair Kim declared the meeting adjourned at 1:25 p.m. to the next Legislative and Public Affairs Committee meeting, Monday, December 9, 2019 at 12:00 p.m. Submitted by: _____________________ Tina Knapp, MMC Assistant Clerk of the Board Page 4 of 4 Orange County Sanitation District LEGISLATIVE AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE Agenda Report Administration Building 10844 Ellis Avenue Fountain Valley, CA 92708 (714) 593-7433 File #:2019-766 Agenda Date:12/9/2019 Agenda Item No:2. FROM:James D. Herberg, General Manager SUBJECT: PUBLIC AFFAIRS UPDATE FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER 2019 GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION RECOMMENDATION: Recommend to the Board of Directors to: Receive and file the Public Affairs Update for the month of November 2019. BACKGROUND Staff will provide an update on recent public affairs activities. RELEVANT STANDARDS ·Maintain influential legislative advocacy and a public outreach program ·Build brand, trust, and support with policy makers and community leaders ·Maintain collaborative and cooperative relationships with regulators, stakeholders and neighboring communities ·Listen to and seriously consider community input on environmental concerns PROBLEM The Orange County Sanitation District (Sanitation District)is well recognized within the water/wastewater industry;however,within our service area there is limited knowledge by our customers of the important work we do to protect public health and the environment.In general,the customers we serve do not realize that when they improperly dispose of waste into the sanitation system,it can negatively affect our sewer lines,our treatment plants,and the quality of water we supply for the Groundwater Replenishment System. PROPOSED SOLUTION By providing tours,community outreach,education,and general communication via the Sanitation District’s website,social media outlets,and direct mailings,we have the ability to educate the community,local agencies,and businesses on our messaging such as the What2Flush program, energy production,water recycling,biosolids,and our source control program.This,in turn,helps improve the quality of wastewater that is recycled or released to the ocean. Orange County Sanitation District Printed on 11/27/2019Page 1 of 3 powered by Legistar™ File #:2019-766 Agenda Date:12/9/2019 Agenda Item No:2. TIMING CONCERNS N/A RAMIFICATIONS OF NOT TAKING ACTION If we do not educate the community,local agencies,and area businesses about the Sanitation District, we may not have the support necessary to deliver our mission. PRIOR COMMITTEE/BOARD ACTIONS N/A ADDITIONAL INFORMATION November 2019 Activity ## of Guests OCSD/OCWD Tours 4 83 OCSD Tours 12 181 Speaking Engagements 4 110 Events 3 450 Current Activities - November 2019 Groundwater Replenishment System Groundbreaking On November 8,the Orange County Water District (OCWD)and Sanitation District celebrated the Final Expansion of the Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS)with a groundbreaking ceremony attended by more than 250 elected officials,project stakeholders,and industry professionals. The Final Expansion of the GWRS is the third and final phase of the project.The GWRS first began operating in 2008,producing 70 million gallons of water a day (MGD)and,in 2015,the GWRS underwent a 30 MGD expansion.When the Final Expansion is completed in 2023,the GWRS will produce 130 MGD of highly purified water to meet the needs of 1 million people. Speaking Engagement On November 14,Rob Thompson,Assistant General Manager,participated in the Construction Management Association of America Southern California Chapter State of the Economy forum alongside executive members from Orange County Public Works and Orange County Transportation Authority.Mr.Thompson presented on the Sanitation District’s Capital Improvement Program, highlighting the plan for the next couple of years. Orange County Sanitation District Printed on 11/27/2019Page 2 of 3 powered by Legistar™ File #:2019-766 Agenda Date:12/9/2019 Agenda Item No:2. Turing Red Tape Into Red Carpet Awards Ceremony Last month,staff attended the Orange County Business Council’s Ninth Annual Turning Red Tape Into Red Carpet award ceremony.The Sanitation District submitted nominations for the following efforts:Odor and Corrosion Program,Converting Food Waste Into Green Energy,Battery Energy Storage System,and was included in an entry for our partnership with Orange County Health Care and Public Works,South Orange County Wastewater Authority for our joint effort with the Ocean Water Protection Program.We are happy to announce that we won an award in the Sustainable and Green Development Category for our Interim Food Waste Diversion Program. Communications Audit is Underway The Communications Audit,led by Tripepi Smith and Associates,is expected to be completed in March 2020.Sanitation District staff and Board members have been interviewed to assess the effectiveness of the Sanitation District’s internal and external communication pieces.When complete,recommendations will be made for improvements to the Sanitation District’s communication efforts.This valuable information will be used to formulate the Public Affairs Strategic Plan for FY 2020-2022. Construction Outreach The Santa Ana River Interceptor (SARI)Rock Stabilization Removal project in the City of Yorba Linda continues.Nearly half of the 22,000 tons of rock have been removed from the Santa Ana River. Work has commenced near residential neighborhoods and a notification was provided to the surrounding community to alert them of activity they may notice.Flyer boxes with copies of the notification were also set up along the bike trail adjacent to the river. CEQA N/A FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS N/A ATTACHMENTS The following attachment(s)are included in hard copy and may also be viewed on-line at the OCSD website (www.ocsd.com) with the complete agenda package: ·Outreach Report November 2019 ·Media Clips November 2019 Orange County Sanitation District Printed on 11/27/2019Page 3 of 3 powered by Legistar™ Outreach Report November 2019 Date Event Attendees 11/1/2019 Chapman Univ. Tour 20 11/2/2019 EcoChallenge 200 11/4/2019 Hope University Tour 9 11/5/2019 CSSD Tour 7 11/7/2019 Speaking Engagement - Biosolids 6 11/7/2019 Speaking Engagement - CA Alliance for Sewer System Excellence 20 11/8/2019 Golden West College Tour 5 11/8/2019 GWRS Expansion Event 200 11/8/2019 Cal Poly Tour 30 11/9/2019 SCC Wastewater Class tour 9 11/14/2019 Speaking Engagement - CMAA 25 11/15/2019 OCC Tour 17 11/15/2019 FV Disaster Prep Expo 50 11/18/2019 GWC Tour 17 11/21/2019 International Bottled Water Assoc. Tour 25 11/22/2019 OCC Tour 30 11/25/2019 CSULB Nursing Tour 13 11/26/2019 New Employee/Open Tour 25 11/26/2019 OCWD Dir. Zahra Tour 1 Table of Contents GWRS…………………………………………… ................................ PAGE 1 November 7, 2019 O.C. districts to break ground on final phase of groundwater replenishment system By: Daily Pilot Staff Daily Pilot November 8, 2019 Orange County’s pioneering wastewater recycling system embarks on major expansion By: Martin Wisckol OC Register November 8, 2019 Press Release By: Gina Ayala / Rebecca Long November 8, 2019 U.S. EPA celebrates WIFIA project with groundbreaking at Orange County Water District By: Soledad Calvino EPA November 11, 2019 OCWD breaks ground on GWRS final expansion project in California By: NS Energy Staff NS Energy November 12, 2019 Orange County’s pioneering wastewater recycling system embarks on major expansion U.S. Breaking News November 13, 2019 The World’s Largest Water Reuse Project is in its Final Stages Environmental Protection November 14, 2019 California’s OCWD breaks ground on GWRS final expansion project Smart Water Magazine November 18, 2019 U.S. EPA Celebrates WIFIA Project Christina Tuser Water & Wastes Digest HUMAN INTEREST…………………………………………… ................. PAGE 26 October 15, 2019 Metropolitan, Sanitation Districts launch new water recycling demo plant WaterWorld October 22, 2019 OCWD Wins AMWA Gold Award for Exceptional Utility Performance Water OnLine October 22, 2019 Poseidon, Doheny desalination plants advance in EPA funding quest By: Martin Wisckol OC Register October 22, 2019 U.S. EPA to provide $585 Million for Climate-Resilient Huntington Beach Seawater Desalination Plant Business Wire October 23, 2019 Orange County College invests $22 million in new training center for maritime programs By: Lou Ponsi OC Register October 23, 2019 EPA to Provide $585 Million for Climate-Resilient Huntington Beach Seawater Desalination Efficient Gov October 24, 2019 California college begins construction of Mariner training center Mike Kennedy American School & University October 31, 2019 London’s sewer’s 40-ton fatberg cleared after 3 weeks, debris removed by hand, officials say By: Stephen Sorace Fox News November 4, 2019 2019 Excellence in Environmental Engineering and Science Awards Competition Winners American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists TWITTER POSTINGS …………………………………………… ............. PAGE 56 FACEBOOK POSTINGS ……………………………………………………PAGE 57 INSTAGRAM POSTINGS……………………………………………………PAGE 60 OCSD Public Affairs Office Monthly News Clippings November 2019 1 Around Town: O.C. districts to break ground on final phase of groundwater replenishment system By DAILY PILOT STAFF NOV. 7, 2019 1:49 PM The Orange County Water District and Orange County Sanitation District will host a groundbreaking event Friday for the final expansion of the groundwater replenishment system in Fountain Valley. Daily Pilot  November 7, 2019  2 The system, billed as the world’s largest potable reuse facility, treats sewer water and protects the county’s groundwater basin. The final expansion, set to be complete in 2023, will allow the system to provide enough water for one million people in north and central Orange County. The groundbreaking ceremony will run from noon to 1:30 p.m. at 18700 Ward St. 3 Orange County’s pioneering wastewater recycling system embarks on major expansion The virtually drought‐proof program is touted as the largest of its kind in the world. Orange County Register  November 8, 2019  4 By MARTIN WISCKOL | mwisckol@scng.com | Orange County Register PUBLISHED: November 8, 2019 at 4:01 pm | UPDATED: November 8, 2019 at 8:42 pm Orange County’s wastewater recycling program, a pioneering idea that’s already touted as the largest of its type in the world, is about to get bigger. Big enough, in fact, to serve the tap water needs of about 1 million residents, according to the Orange County Water District and Orange County Sanitation District. Dubbed the Groundwater Replenishment System, the project produces water that is half the price of imported water and is virtually immune to both drought and reductions in imports.    5 The water and sanitation districts, partners in the 11‐year‐old project, hosted a groundbreaking ceremony Friday to celebrate its expansion. The Fountain Valley event drew about 250 local, state and federal officials, consultants and employees. Actual construction is scheduled to begin next week and be completed in early 2023. “It’s probably one of the most innovative water systems in the world,” Vicente Sarmiento, chairman of the water district board, told attendees over the whine of the system’s machinery. The program runs treated wastewater through an additional cleansing process that includes microfiltration, reverse osmosis and ultraviolet light. The result is water that’s purer than imports or storm water. The process removes virtually all contaminants, including any trace of PFAS carcinogens. The water is then used to replenish the groundwater aquifer, where it’s stored until the Orange County Water District’s 19 member retailers pump it to residential and business customers. The Orange County Water District supplies water to the north and central parts of the county, accounting for about 2.5 million of the county’s 3.2 million residents. The 103,000 acre feet of water currently produced annually by the recycling project accounts for about 25% of the district’s total water supply, with imported water providing another 25%. The expansion will increase annual production of the recycled water to 134,000 acre feet and use all of the sanitation district’s reclaimable water, which would otherwise be pumped into the ocean. One acre foot is enough water for about two households of four annually, according to the water district. Sarmiento reminded attendees at Friday’s ceremony that the concept of making wastewater potable wasn’t even a pipe dream in the 1960s and 1970s. Today, that idea is increasingly being implemented. Just a few miles up the 405 Freeway in Carson, a pilot project was launched in October that could eventually result in a recycled water project producing 150,000 acre feet a year. 6 Imported water costs Orange County agencies about $1,100 an acre foot while groundwater suffused with purified wastewater costs them $587 including pumping costs, according to John Kennedy, Orange County Water District’s executive director of engineering and water resources. 7 PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACTS: Gina Ayala, (714) 378-3323, gayala@ocwd.com Rebecca Long, (714) 593-7444, rlong@ocsd.com ORANGE COUNTY WATER AND SANITATION DISTRICTS BREAK GROUND ON PROJECT THAT RECYCLES 100% OF AVAILABLE WASTEWATER FLOWS INTO DRINKING WATER FOR 1 MILLION PEOPLE FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. (November 8, 2019) – Today, the Orange County Water District (OCWD) and Orange County Sanitation District (OCSD) celebrated the Final Expansion of the Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS) with a groundbreaking ceremony attended by elected officials, project stakeholders and industry professionals. The Final Expansion of the GWRS is the third and final phase of the project. The GWRS first began operating in 2008 producing 70 million gallons of water a day (MGD) and in 2015, it underwent a 30MGD expansion. When the Final Expansion is completed in 2023, the plant will produce 130 MGD. “Today marks an important milestone in Orange County’s water future,” said OCWD President Vicente Sarmiento. This is what we work for day in and day out—to provide a high-quality, reliable water supply to 2.5 million people in our service area. Total production will be enough water for 1 million people when the expansion is completed. The GWRS is vital to combatting climate change and sustaining Orange County’s water supplies and its thriving economy.” The GWRS, the world’s largest water reuse project of its kind, is the result of decades of collaboration between OCWD and OCSD to overcome the stigma associated with these types of projects and bring water reliability to the region. OCWD and OCSD see wastewater as a resource. Instead of discharging treated wastewater to the Pacific Ocean, OCSD treats it and produces water clean enough to undergo purification at the GWRS. This water is then purified at the GWRS using a three-step advanced process consisting of microfiltration, reverse osmosis and ultraviolet light with hydrogen peroxide. The result is high quality water that meets and exceeds state and federal drinking water standards. This purified water is then injected into a seawater barrier and pumped to recharge basins where it naturally percolates into the GWRS  November 8, 2019  8 Orange County Groundwater Basin, managed by OCWD, and supplements Orange County’s drinking water supplies. Currently, GWRS water accounts for one-third of the water that is put into the basin. “We are honored to partner with the Orange County Water District in ensuring strict source control of the wastewater and working to increase the amount of water sent to the GWRS,” stated OCSD Board Chairman, David J. Shawver. “We have made significant investments and are dedicated to the prudent use of public funds for this and all future projects benefiting our community.” The Final Expansion requires a total treated wastewater flow from OCSD of approximately 175 MGD in order to produce 130 MGD of advanced purified recycled water. “This project will allow the region to recycle 100% of OCSD’s reclaimable flows, which will be yet another first in the industry,” added Shawver. The GWRS is a financially responsible project that produces water at a lower cost than imported water. Funding for the Final Expansion includes $135 million from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program and $1.1 million in grants from the U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation Title XVI Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) program. “The Orange County Water District’s advanced system expansion will benefit the local community, the economy and the environment,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Mike Stoker. “We are honored to help fund this project and reduce borrowing costs through our WIFIA loan program.” Additionally, the Final Expansion received the highest ratings for all North Orange County projects submitted through the Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) program for Prop 1 grant funding managed by the California Department of Water Resources. The project is currently slated to receive $3.6 million in grants through the IRWM program. The remaining $186 million will be funded through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) Loan program. For more information about the GWRS and the Final Expansion, please visit https://www.ocwd.com/gwrs. About the Orange County Water District The Orange County Water District is committed to enhancing Orange County’s groundwater quality and reliability in an environmentally friendly and economical manner. The following cities rely on the groundwater basin, managed by OCWD, to provide 77% of their water demands: Anaheim, Buena Park, Costa Mesa, Cypress, Fountain Valley, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Irvine, La Palma, Los Alamitos, Newport Beach, Orange, Placentia, Santa Ana, Seal Beach, Stanton, Tustin, Villa Park, Westminster and Yorba Linda. For more information about OCWD, please visit www.ocwd.com, like @OCWaterDistrict on Facebook, follow @OCWDWaterNews on Twitter, follow @OCWD on Instagram, and follow Orange County Water District on LinkedIn. About the Orange County Sanitation District OCSD is a public agency that provides wastewater collection, treatment, and recycling for approximately 2.6 million people in central and northwest Orange County. OCSD is a special district that is governed by a 25-member Board of Directors comprised of 20 cities, four special districts, and one representative from the Orange County Board of Supervisors. OCSD has two operating facilities that treat wastewater from residential, commercial and industrial sources. For more information, about the Orange County Sanitation District visit www.ocsd.com. 9 United States Environmental Protection Agency News Releases from Region 09 U.S. EPA celebrates WIFIA project with groundbreaking at Orange County Water District 11/08/2019 Contact Information: Soledad Calvino (calvino.maria@epa.gov) 415‐972‐3512 FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Orange County Water District (OCWD) participated in a groundbreaking ceremony for the Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS) Final Expansion in Orange County, California. This project is funded in part by a $135 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan. “Not only will OCWD’s Ground Water Replenishment System provide Orange County residents and businesses with an additional local drinking water supply, it will also ensure the community is more resilient against periods of drought,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Mike Stoker. “Good water quality and wastewater management is vital to our health, communities, and economy. Through the WIFIA loan program, EPA is helping renew our nation’s aging water infrastructure.” EPA  November 8, 2019    10 “OCWD greatly appreciates the WIFIA funding that will support public water infrastructure in Orange County,” said OCWD President Vicente Sarmiento. “The GWRS Final Expansion will produce enough water for 1 million people, while also recycling 100% of the reclaimable wastewater from the Sanitation District. It’s truly a win‐win and we will continue to implement projects and programs that bring increased water reliability to the region.” Today, the OCWD hosted an event in Fountain Valley, California, to break ground on the GWRS Final Expansion project. Speakers included officials from OCWD, Orange County Sanitation District, State Water Resources Control Board and EPA, as well as elected officials. In August 2018, EPA announced the closing of this WIFIA loan. Upon completion, the expanded system will purify treated wastewater from the Orange County Sanitation District to produce an additional 30 million gallons per day of drinking water, which will be stored in the Orange County Groundwater Basin. This additional drought‐proof drinking water supply reduces the region’s need to import water, benefits the environment through reduced discharges into the ocean, and increases replenishment of the local groundwater source. The Orange County Water District estimates the project will cost $310 million. Because the WIFIA program offers loans with low interest rates, the Orange County Water District is expected to save up to $16 million compared to municipal bonds. Project construction is expected to create 700 jobs and is scheduled to begin in 2019 and be completed in 2023. Background on WIFIA Established by the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014, the WIFIA program is a federal loan and guarantee program administered by EPA. WIFIA’s aim is to accelerate investment in the nation’s water infrastructure by providing long‐term and low‐cost supplemental credit assistance for regionally and nationally significant projects. EPA has issued 14 WIFIA loans totaling over $3.5 billion in credit assistance to help finance over $8 billion for water infrastructure projects and create over 15,000 jobs. Through WIFIA, EPA is playing a leading role in President Trump’s efforts to upgrade our nation’s infrastructure, protect public health, and create jobs. For more information about the WIFIA program, visit https://www.epa.gov/wifia. 11 OCWD breaks ground on GWRS final expansion project in California POWERCLEAN TECHNOLOGYWATER AND WASTEWATER By NS Energy Staff Writer 11 Nov 2019 The Groundwater Replenishment System final expansion project will help in producing an additional 30 million gallons of drinking water per day NS Energy  November 11, 2019    12 Image: EPA supports water treatment plant in California. Photo: Courtesy of DengdaiFengQi/Pixabay. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Orange County Water District (OCWD) have announced the start of construction on a new Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS) final expansion project in Orange County, California. The plant will help in purifying treated wastewater from the Orange County Sanitation District to produce an additional 30 million gallons per day of drinking water. The drinking water will be stored in the Orange County Groundwater Basin. It is funded in part by a $135m Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan. The plant will act as an additional drought‐proof drinking water supply source and will reduce the region’s need to import water, benefiting the environment through reduced discharges into the ocean and will increase the replenishment of local groundwater. The total cost of the project is estimated to be $310m and with the support from EPA’s WIFIA programme, the Orange County Water District could save up to $16m compared to municipal bonds. EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Mike Stoker said: “Not only will OCWD’s Ground Water Replenishment System provide Orange County residents and businesses with an additional local drinking water supply, it will also ensure the community is more resilient against periods of drought. “Good water quality and wastewater management is vital to our health, communities, and economy. Through the WIFIA loan program, EPA is helping renew our nation’s aging water infrastructure.” During the project’s construction phase, 700 new jobs will be created The construction phase of the project, which is expected to be completed in 2023, could create up to 700 jobs. 13 Orange County Water District president Vicente Sarmiento said: “OCWD greatly appreciates the WIFIA funding that will support public water infrastructure in Orange County. “The GWRS Final Expansion will produce enough water for 1 million people, while also recycling 100% of the reclaimable wastewater from the Sanitation District. It’s truly a win‐win and we will continue to implement projects and programs that bring increased water reliability to the region.” EPA announced the $135m loan to Orange County Water District last August. 14 Orange County’s pioneering wastewater recycling system embarks on major expansion November 12, 2019 Orange County’s wastewater recycling program, a pioneering idea that’s already touted as the largest of its type in the world, is about to get bigger. Big enough, in fact, to serve the tap water needs of about 1 million residents, according to the Orange County Water District and Orange County Sanitation District. Dubbed the Groundwater Replenishment System, the project produces water that is half the price of imported water, and is virtually immune to both drought and reductions in imports. U.S. Breaking News  November 12, 2019    15 Cups of water filtered from wastewater sit on stage as Vicente Sarmiento, president of the Orange County Water District, addresses visitors during an expansion groundbreaking ceremony in Fountain Valley, CA, on Friday, Nov 8, 2019. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG) Assemblyman Steven Choi (CA‐68) joins other officials, including, Vicente Sarmiento, president of the Orange County Water District, stripped tie, and David Shawver, chairman of the Orange County Water District, as they toast to, and drink, water that has been filtered from wastewater during an expansion groundbreaking ceremony in Fountain Valley, CA, on Friday, Nov 8, 2019. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG) 16 Vicente Sarmiento, president of the Orange County Water District, addresses visitors during an expansion groundbreaking ceremony in Fountain Valley, CA, on Friday, Nov 8, 2019. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG) The water and sanitation districts, partners in the 11‐year‐old project, hosted a groundbreaking ceremony Friday to celebrate its expansion. The Fountain Valley event drew about 250 local, state and federal officials, consultants and employees. Actual construction is scheduled to begin next week and be completed in early 2023. “It’s probably one of the most innovative water systems in the world,” Vincente Sarmiento, chairman of the water district board, told attendees over the whine of the system’s machinery. The program runs treated wastewater through an additional cleansing process that includes microfiltration, reverse osmosis and ultraviolet light. The result is water that’s purer than imports or storm water. The process removes virtually all contaminants, including any trace of PFAS carcinogens. The water is then used to replenish the groundwater aquifer, where it’s stored until the Orange County Water District’s 19 member retailers pump it to residential and business customers. The Orange County Water District supplies water to the north and central parts of the county, accounting for about 2.5 million of the county’s 3.2 million residents. The 100,000 acre feet of water currently produced annually by the recycling project accounts for about 25% of the district’s total water supply, with imported water providing another 25%. The expansion will increase annual production of the recycled water to 130,000 acre feet and use all of the sanitation district’s reclaimable water, which would otherwise be pumped into the ocean. One acre foot is enough water for about two households of four annually, according to the water district. 17 Sarmiento reminded attendees at Friday’s ceremony that the concept of making wastewater potable wasn’t even a pipe dream in the 1960s and 1970s. Today, that idea is increasingly being implemented. Just a few miles up the 405 Freeway in Carson, a pilot project was launched in October that could eventually result in a recycled water project producing 150,000 acre feet a year. Imported water costs Orange County agencies about $1,100 an acre foot while groundwater suffused with purified wastewater costs them $587 including pumping costs, according to John Kennedy, Orange County Water District’s executive director of engineering and water resources. As part of Friday’s ceremony, Sarmiento invited the officials on stage to a toast with glasses of the purified wastewater. “The tradition is that we have to finish every last drop,” he told them. 18 The World’s Largest Water Reuse Project is in its Final Stages The final expansion of the Groundwater Replenishment System was celebrated in Orange County yesterday. The project poses high hopes for the future of California’s water systems.  Nov 13, 2019 Technology allows us to repurpose used water in a number of ways through chemical processes. Agricultural runoff, potable drinking water, and even wastewater can all undergo water treatment systems to be filtered, repurposed, and used again. But, not surprisingly, this kind of recycling requires funds and the right organizations to support it. Environmental Protection  November 13, 2019    19 The Orange County Water District (OCWD) and Orange County Sanitation District (OCSD) celebrated the final expansion step in California’s most recent water system initiative: the Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS). In attendance at the ceremony were elected officials, project stakeholders, and industry professionals to see the last step in the project, due to be completed in 2023. The GWRS first began operating nearly 11 years ago and then produced an average of 70 million gallons of water a day (MGD). Upon completion, it will produce almost double at 130 MDG. The state of California has long seen struggles in serving its millions of residents with clean and accessible water. Now, with the success of the GWRS, the state and organizations alike have hopes that the project will help serve their water demands to the approximate 2.6 million people in central and northwest Orange County. The Orange County Water District released the following press release on the ceremony and final step in the project: Today, the Orange County Water District (OCWD) and Orange County Sanitation District (OCSD) celebrated the Final Expansion of the Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS) with a groundbreaking ceremony attended by elected officials, project stakeholders and industry professionals. The Final Expansion of the GWRS is the third and final phase of the project. The GWRS first began operating in 2008 producing 70 million gallons of water a day (MGD) and in 2015, it underwent a 30‐ MGD expansion. When the Final Expansion is completed in 2023, the plant will produce 130 MGD. “Today marks an important milestone in Orange County’s water future,” said OCWD President Vicente Sarmiento. This is what we work for day in and day out—to provide a high‐quality, reliable water supply to 2.5 million people in our service area. Total production will be enough water for 1 million people when the expansion is completed. The GWRS is vital to combatting climate change and sustaining Orange County’s water supplies and its thriving economy.” The GWRS,the world’s largest water reuse project of its kind, is the result of decades of collaboration between OCWD and OCSD to overcome the stigma associated with these types of projects and bring water reliability to the region. OCWD and OCSD see wastewater as a resource. Instead of discharging treated wastewater to the Pacific Ocean, OCSD treats it and produces water clean enough to undergo purification at the GWRS. This water is then purified at the GWRS using a three‐step advanced process consisting of microfiltration, 20 reverse osmosis and ultraviolet light with hydrogen peroxide. The result is high quality water that meets and exceeds state and federal drinking water standards. This purified water is then injected into a seawater barrier and pumped to recharge basins where it naturally percolates into the Orange County Groundwater Basin, managed by OCWD, and supplements Orange County’s drinking water supplies. Currently, GWRS water accounts for one‐third of the water that is put into the basin. “We are honored to partner with the Orange County Water District in ensuring strict source control of the wastewater and working to increase the amount of water sent to the GWRS,” stated OCSD Board Chairman, David J. Shawver. “We have made significant investments and are dedicated to the prudent use of public funds for this and all future projects benefiting our community.” The Final Expansion requires a total treated wastewater flow from OCSD of approximately 175 MGD in order to produce 130 MGD of advanced purified recycled water. “This project will allow the region to recycle 100% of OCSD’s reclaimable flows, which will be yet another first in the industry,” added Shawver. The GWRS is a financially responsible project that produces water at a lower cost than imported water.Funding for the Final Expansion includes $135 million from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program and $1.1 million in grants from the U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation Title XVI Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) program. “The Orange County Water District’s advanced system expansion will benefit the local community, the economy and the environment,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Mike Stoker. “We are honored to help fund this project and reduce borrowing costs through our WIFIA loan program.” Additionally, the Final Expansion received the highest ratings for all North Orange County projects submitted through the Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) program for Prop 1 grant funding managed by the California Department of Water Resources. The project is currently slated to receive $3.6 million in grants through the IRWM program. The remaining $186 million will be funded through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) Loan program. For more information about the GWRS and the Final Expansion, please visit https://www.ocwd.com/gwrs. 21 California's OCWD breaks ground on GWRS final expansion project  Orange County Water District OCWD takes the limited water supply found in nature and supplements it to provide water for more than 2.5 million people in Orange County, California. 14/11/2019 Smart Magazine  November 14, 2019    22 The Orange County Water District and Orange County Sanitation District celebrated the Final Expansion of the Groundwater Replenishment System with a groundbreaking ceremony attended by elected officials, project stakeholders and industry professionals. The Final Expansion of the GWRS is the third and final phase of the project. The GWRS first began operating in 2008 producing 70 million gallons of water a day (MGD) and in 2015, it underwent a 30- MGD expansion. When the Final Expansion is completed in 2023, the plant will produce 130 MGD. “Today marks an important milestone in Orange County’s water future,” said OCWD President Vicente Sarmiento. This is what we work for day in and day out—to provide a high-quality, reliable water supply to 2.5 million people in our service area. Total production will be enough water for 1 million people when the expansion is completed. The GWRS is vital to combatting climate change and sustaining Orange County’s water supplies and its thriving economy.” The GWRS, the world’s largest water reuse project of its kind, is the result of decades of collaboration between OCWD and OCSD to overcome the stigma associated with these types of projects and bring water reliability to the region. OCWD and OCSD see wastewater as a resource. Instead of discharging treated wastewater to the Pacific Ocean, OCSD treats it and produces water clean enough to undergo purification at the GWRS. This water is then purified at the GWRS using a three-step advanced process consisting of microfiltration, reverse osmosis and ultraviolet light with hydrogen peroxide. The result is high quality water that meets and exceeds state and federal drinking water standards. 23 This purified water is then injected into a seawater barrier and pumped to recharge basins where it naturally percolates into the Orange County Groundwater Basin, managed by OCWD, and supplements Orange County’s drinking water supplies. Currently, GWRS water accounts for one-third of the water that is put into the basin. Chairman, David J. Shawver. “We have made significant investments and are dedicated to the prudent use of public funds for this and all future projects benefiting our community.” The Final Expansion requires a total treated wastewater flow from OCSD of approximately 175 MGD in order to produce 130 MGD of advanced purified recycled water. “This project will allow the region to recycle 100% of OCSD’s reclaimable flows, which will be yet another first in the industry,” added Shawver. The GWRS is a financially responsible project that produces water at a lower cost than imported water. Funding for the Final Expansion includes $135 million from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program and $1.1 million in grants from the U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation Title XVI Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) program. “The Orange County Water District’s advanced system expansion will benefit the local community, the economy and the environment,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Mike Stoker. “We are honored to help fund this project and reduce borrowing costs through our WIFIA loan program.” Additionally, the Final Expansion received the highest ratings for all North Orange County projects submitted through the Integrated Regional 24 Water Management (IRWM) program for Prop 1 grant funding managed by the California Department of Water Resources. The project is currently slated to receive $3.6 million in grants through the IRWM program. The remaining $186 million will be funded through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) Loan program. 25 BY CRISTINA TUSER NOV 18, 2019 FACEBOOKTWITTERLINKEDIN BUSINESS NEWS: U.S. EPA CELEBRATES WIFIA PROJECT The U.S. EPA and the Orange County Water District (OCWD) participated in a groundbreaking ceremony for the Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS) expansion in Orange County, Calif., U.S. EPA Celebrates WIFIA Project The U.S. EPA and the Orange County Water District (OCWD) participated in a groundbreaking ceremony for the Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS) Final Expansion in Orange County, Calif. The project is funded in part by a $135 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan, according to an EPA press release. “Not only will OCWD’s Groundwater Replenishment System provide Orange County residents and businesses with an additional local drinking water supply, it will also ensure the community is more resilient against periods of drought,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Mike Stoker. “Good water quality and wastewater management is vital to our health, communities, and economy. Through the WIFIA loan program, EPA is helping renew our nation’s aging water infrastructure.” “The GWRS Final Expansion will produce enough water for 1 million people, while also recycling 100% of the reclaimable wastewater from the Sanitation District,” said OCWD President Vicente Sarmiento. “It’s truly a win‐win and we will continue to implement projects and programs that bring increased water reliability to the region.” Water & Wastes Digest  November 18, 2019    26 Metropolitan, Sanitation Districts launch new water recycling demo plant Facility in Carson to develop new local water source for the region, could become one of largest recycling plants in the U.S. Oct 15th, 2019 CARSON, CA, OCT 15, 2019 -- In a major step toward the potential construction of one of the largest water recycling plants in the nation, the Water World  October 15, 2019    27 Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and the Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County were joined today by federal, state and local water leaders to celebrate the start of operations at the Regional Recycled Water Advanced Purification Center. The 500,000-gallon-per-day demonstration facility takes cleaned wastewater from the Sanitation Districts’ Joint Water Pollution Control Plant and purifies it using an innovative process that could significantly improve efficiencies and reduce costs in water recycling. Over the next 15 months, Metropolitan will put this treatment process through rigorous testing to ensure the process effectively removes impurities and the resulting water meets the highest quality standards. The testing and other analyses will help the agencies determine whether to grow the facility to a full-scale plant that could potentially produce up to 150 million gallons of purified water daily – enough to serve more than 500,000 homes and industrial facilities. “Today marks a key step in Metropolitan’s endeavor to directly develop a drought-proof local water supply for millions of Southern Californians,” said Metropolitan Board Chairwoman Gloria D. Gray. “Over the last two decades, Metropolitan has steadily diversified the region’s water supply portfolio and prepared for a changing climate by investing in conservation and local supply projects. Metropolitan is now scaling that commitment up to a higher level.” Congresswoman Grace Napolitano, State Water Resources Control Board Chairman Joaquin Esquivel and Los Angeles Regional Board Chairwoman Irma Muñoz joined Metropolitan and the Sanitation Districts in celebrating the launch of operations. “We have long been leaders and advocates in recycling water,” said Sanitation Districts General Manager Robert Ferrante. “Most of the water from our other ten plants is currently reused. This project would use the region’s largest untapped source of cleaned wastewater. We are excited to have Metropolitan as a partner in finding a solution that will benefit the entire Southern California region.” 28 Construction on the $17 million demonstration plant began in late 2017. While the water purification process being tested at the facility is based on proven technologies, it uses a new combination of treatment processes – starting with membrane bioreactors and followed by reverse osmosis, ultraviolet light and advanced oxidation – that could significantly increase efficiencies in treatment. “There are certainly proven technologies to safely recycle water. But as we embark upon this major future investment, we need to explore how the process can be improved,” Metropolitan General Manager Jeffrey Kightlinger said. “Others around the globe are watching as well.” In addition to gaining regulatory approval, the research facility will help confirm treatment costs, assess economic viability, and produce data to inform decisions for the future design, operation and optimization of a full- scale project. A later phase of testing will explore the potential of direct potable reuse, through raw water augmentation. “The Regional Recycled Water Program is an ambitious project that requires the partnership of two large regional agencies with the right knowledge and expertise. We are thankful to be partnering with the Sanitation Districts,” Kightlinger added. As envisioned, the full-scale program, including associated distribution lines, would take about 11 years to construct, once approved. Purified water would be delivered through 60 miles of new pipelines to: four groundwater basins in Los Angeles and Orange counties for groundwater recharge and storage, industrial facilities, and, potentially, two of Metropolitan’s existing water treatment plants for direct potable reuse. 29 News | October 22, 2019 OCWD Wins AMWA Gold Award For Exceptional Utility Performance Fountain Valley, CA –– The Orange County Water District (OCWD; the District) received the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies’ (AMWA) 2019 Gold Award for Exceptional Utility Performance. The presentation was made on October 21 at AMWA's Executive Management Conference in Newport, Rhode Island. The AMWA Gold Awards for Exceptional Utility Performance recognize the large public drinking water systems that exhibit high levels of performance in the areas of product quality, customer satisfaction, employee and leadership development, operational optimization, financial viability, community sustainability, enterprise resiliency, infrastructure strategy and performance, stakeholder understanding and support, and water resource sustainability. Gold Award winners also show achievement in the areas of leadership, strategic business planning, knowledge management, measurement, and continual improvement management. The honor was bestowed by a distinguished panel of peer judges for OCWD’s significant contribution to the drinking water industry. Water OnLine  October 22, 2019    30 “This award is recognition by your colleagues that your agency has made remarkable efforts to compete in a highly challenging and constantly changing environment. Congratulations on this high achievement,” said Diane VanDe Hei, AMWA chief executive officer. “Acknowledgement by our industry peers for our strong record of effective utility management is a true honor,” said OCWD President Vicente Sarmiento. “This prestigious award spotlights our efforts towards community sustainability and pays special tribute to our employees and executive leadership.” The Orange County Water District began in 1933 as a California Special District to protect the local rights to Santa Ana River water and to manage the vast Orange County Groundwater Basin. It is now an international leader in water reuse and groundwater management and is home to the Groundwater Replenishment System—the world’s largest advanced water purification project for potable reuse. OCWD was the first to use reverse osmosis to purify wastewater to drinking water quality; and staff were called as consultants as California shaped its Sustainable Groundwater Management Act in 2014. The District’s Philip L. Anthony Water Quality Laboratory is one of four public agency labs in the nation to have an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR) 4 program for five EPA methods. It is also the first laboratory in California to receive certification for polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) detection. OCWD created the largest constructed wetlands in the West to help purify Santa Ana River waters and for greater water yield while protecting endangered species. The Orange County Groundwater Basin, which OCWD manages, is non-adjudicated, and yet, because of a unique method of assessments and incentives, its 19-member groundwater producers can pump 77% of their drinking water (approx. 104 billion gallons per year) while the basin remains reliable. Sound planning and investment, high standards for water reliability, exceptional water quality, environmental stewardship, sound financial management, and transparency are the District’s hallmarks and standards, and they guide its ultimate mission to provide a reliable, high quality water supply in a cost-effective and environmentally responsible manner for 2.5 million people in north and central Orange County, California. 31 About Orange County Water District (OCWD) The Orange County Water District is committed to enhancing Orange County’s groundwater quality and reliability in an environmentally friendly and economical manner. The following cities rely on the groundwater basin, managed by OCWD, to provide 77 percent of their water demands: Anaheim, Buena Park, Costa Mesa, Cypress, Fountain Valley, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Irvine, La Palma, Los Alamitos, Newport Beach, Orange, Placentia, Santa Ana, Seal Beach, Stanton, Tustin, Villa Park, Westminster and Yorba Linda. For more information about OCWD, please visit www.ocwd.com, like @OCWaterDistrict on Facebook, follow @OCWDWaterNews on Twitter, and follow @OCWD on Instagram. About Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA) The Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies is an organization of the largest publicly owned water utilities in the United States. AMWA is the voice of metropolitan water systems on federal water policy issues, and its programs foster sustainable, innovative utility management. Headquartered in Washington, DC, additional information about AMWA may be obtained by visiting https://www.amwa.net/. You can follow @AMWA_water on Twitter. SOURCE: Orange County Water District (OCWD) 32 Poseidon, Doheny desalination plants advance in EPA funding quest The low‐interest federal loans would help make the projects more financially viable. By MARTIN WISCKOL | mwisckol@scng.com | Orange County Register PUBLISHED: October 22, 2019 at 4:11 pm | UPDATED: October 22, 2019 at 4:41 pm Desalination plants proposed for Huntington Beach and Dana Point got a boost Tuesday when the federal EPA selected them to apply for huge low‐interest loans that would increase the viability of the projects. Orange County Register  October 22, 2019    33 Poseidon’s $1‐billion plan for Huntington Beach and the South Coast Water District’s $110 million proposal near Doheny State Beach were two of 38 water projects nationwide chosen to proceed with final applications for the money. Poseidon is pursuing a $585 million loan while South Coast is seeking $60 million. “It’s significant,” said Karl Seckel, assistant general manager of the Municipal Water District of Orange County. “The loans would improve the economics of the projects. This is good news for both of these projects.” While both plants would provide a drought‐proof alternative to imported water, they also have detractors and regulators in their path. The more controversial Poseidon project needs to receive permits from the Regional Water Quality Control Board and the state Coastal Commission before it can try to finalize a contract with the Orange County Water District. Cost of the desalinated water could prove a key issue in contract approval. While Poseidon is a private, investor‐backed project that would need such a contract, the much smaller Doheny plan is being pursued by a public agency that would sell the water to its own retail customers. But the South Coast Water District is still studying the economics of the proposal and has not yet begun the regulatory permit process beyond approving an environmental study for its own project. Nonetheless, the Doheny project has been praised by some environmentalists who oppose the Poseidon plan. And those environmentalists aren’t the only ones who prefer South Coast’s desalination. The Doheny project also fared better in a study last year by the Municipal Water District. The district, which oversees the distribution of water imported into the county, examined and ranked six major water projects — including variations of two — proposed throughout the county. One variation of the Doheny project ranked first and another ranked fourth. Two versions of the Poseidon project ranked at the bottom of the list. Seckel was unable to say whether the federal loan would improve Poseidon’s ranking. But he did note the impact it would have on the project’s financing. 34 His district’s study of the six projects did not include federal loan money for Poseidon and calculated the interest rate at 4.87%. With a $585 million federal loan at 2% interest, the total blended interest rate for the project would drop to 3.5%, he said. 35 U.S. EPA to Provide $585 Million for Climate- Resilient Huntington Beach Seawater Desalination Plant BY BUSINESS WIRE ARTICLE RATING: GIVE IT 1/5 OCTOBER 22, 2019 02:21 PM EDT Poseidon Water released the following statement in response to today’s announcement that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has selected the proposed Huntington Beach Desalination Project to apply for $585 million in credit assistance under the federal government’s Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA). “We are pleased by the U.S. EPA’s acknowledgment that the Huntington Beach Desalination Project is an environmentally sound, regionally significant project that will produce clean, safe drinking water and high- quality jobs,” said Poseidon Water CEO Carlos Riva. “WIFIA will make a tangible difference for Orange County, providing ratepayers with affordable water that is locally controlled and climate resilient. The program is an excellent example of how the federal government can foster Public-Private Partnerships that modernize our nation’s water infrastructure.” In 2015, Poseidon Water and the Orange County Water District entered into a Water Purchase Agreement Term Sheet for the purchase of the plant’s full 50 MGD capacity. The Project’s WIFIA application was sponsored by the Orange County Water District, which stated, “A WIFIA financing award will help reduce the ratepayer cost of the potable water produced by the desalination Project, accelerating the Project development and ultimately provide a new, locally controlled drought-proof supply of drinking water for Southern California.” The WIFIA program accelerates investment in the nation’s water infrastructure by providing long-term, low-cost supplemental loans for regionally and nationally significant projects. The benefits of the credit assistance provided by WIFIA to the Huntington Beach Project will result in a direct financial pass through to Orange Business Wire  October 23, 2019    36 County water ratepayers, which Poseidon estimates will reduce consumer water costs by $290 million over the life of the Project as compared to current financing options. The WIFIA program was established by the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014, during the last term in public office for former U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer, a California environmental icon. “When the WIFIA program was established by Congress, it passed with overwhelming bipartisan support. Everyone, regardless of party, knew it would be a great way to reduce costs to the consumer, encourage state of the art technology, create jobs, and help our country meet the challenges of climate change. The legislation created a high bar for a project to meet and the Huntington Beach Project meets every criteria,” said Senator Boxer. This year, EPA will help finance over $6 billion in water infrastructure investments that will create up to 190,000 jobs, upgrade aging infrastructure, reduce lead exposure, and improve the lives of millions of Americans across the country. In 2018, construction of the final phase of the Orange County Water District’s Groundwater Replenishment System received a WIFIA loan. After a robust, statutorily required review process, the Huntington Beach Desalination Project was selected as one of 38 projects nationwide, representing large and small communities, who submitted letters of interest to EPA in response to the 2019 WIFIA Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). Together, the selected borrowers will receive WIFIA loans totaling up to $6 billion to help finance over $12 billion in water infrastructure investments and create up to 190,000 jobs. With EPA’s WIFIA loan, the Huntington Beach Desalination Plant will provide 50 million gallons per day (56,000-acre-feet per year) of reliable, climate-resilient water to approximately 400,000 people in Orange County. The plant will be Orange County’s largest single source of local supply water supply. The plant will provide a highly reliable water supply produced with state-of-the-art technology to reduce energy demands, and it will also be one of the only water infrastructure projects in the state to have a zero net carbon footprint. The Huntington Beach Desalination Project will include over 1.5 million labor hours in Orange County, supporting an estimated 3,000 jobs and infusing $500 million into the local economy. The Huntington Beach Desalination Plant will open a new chapter in water supply reliability for the Orange County region and the state by tapping the potential of the Pacific Ocean and reducing dependence on strained resources such as the Sacramento-San Joaquin Bay-Delta. It is bolstering the region’s self-reliance, and in turn, its future by meeting the needs of future generations. About Poseidon Water Poseidon Water is a private company that partners with public agencies to deliver water infrastructure projects. The company's primary focus is developing large-scale reverse osmosis seawater desalination plants implemented through innovative public-private partnerships in which private enterprise assumes the developmental and financial risks. For more information on Poseidon’s Carlsbad Desalination Plant, visit carlsbaddesal.com and for more information on Poseidon’s Huntington Beach desalination plant, visit HBfreshwater.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20191022006058/en/ 37 Orange County College invests $22 million in new training center for its maritime programs By LOU PONSI | PUBLISHED: October 23, 2019 at 3:35 pm | Orange County Register  October 23, 2019    38 After years of planning, a complicated land purchase and sale and necessary approvals from multiple public agencies, expansion of Orange Coast College’s School of Sailing & Seamanship is finally underway. Construction has begun on a 12,000‐square‐foot, $22 million Mariners Training Center across the street from the existing harbor‐front school facility in Newport Beach. A skyway bridge over Pacific Coast Highway will connect the sailing school with the new center, which will be built above ground‐level parking and will feature a radar training room, a full mission bridge simulator, state‐of‐the‐art lab space, classrooms, a conference room and a student lounge. The project is scheduled for completion in fall 2021. It’s being paid for through the bond measure voters approved in 2012 to finance nearly $700 million in improvements and construction in the Coast Community College District. Brad Avery, director of the School of Sailing and Seamanship, said the program only had two classrooms at the harbor and one back on the Orange Coast College campus. “So this was about providing a new home for this program. It’s going to be fantastic.” OCC’s School of Sailing & Seamanship opened almost 60 years ago, offering basic boating instruction for the general population. The program, which currently serves more than 1,500 students annually, has since expanded to include a professional program, offering certificates and associates degrees to students pursuing maritime careers. Opportunities exist working on commercial shipping vessels, private yachts, charter boats, whale watching and dive boats, cruise ships, passenger ferries and tugboats. Many students go on to earn four‐year degrees at maritime colleges. “We’re getting more calls from people looking for employees than we have students,” said Sarah Hirsch, director of OCC’s Community Boating program. She was recently hired to help oversee the expansion. “It’s exciting down here. For us, this is an opportunity to have more classroom space right here where we already have our program.” 39 The seamanship and sailing school had been looking to expand for several years, Avery said. When seven contiguous lots across the street went up for sale 17 years ago, he finally saw the opportunity. But it took about 15 years for the Coast Community College District to acquire the land, he said. The Orange County Sanitation District was looking to rebuild pump stations at the time and partnered with college district on the land acquisition. The sanitation district bought the land, built a pump station first, which took about six years, and then sold a portion of the property to the community college district “This is an exciting step forward for the college and the community,” John Weispfenning, chancellor of the Coast Community College District, said at the recent groundbreaking ceremony. “The Mariners Training Center solidifies Orange Coast College and Newport Beach in preparing students for boating and maritime‐related industries.” Nearly all of the vessels and equipment used for teaching students has been donated over the years, Avery said. That includes a 92‐foot yacht, the Nordic Star, along with smaller sail boats and power boats. “One of the provisions is that we keep bettering and expanding to match the needs of the community,” Avery said. “A lot of partnerships are going on here to make this work.” 40   Here’s what you can (and can’t) do about PFAS  contamination in your water     Hundreds of drinking water water utilities across California have been ordered to test for PFAS, a class of toxic chemicals linked to cancer. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times) By ANNA M. PHILLIPSSTAFF WRITER OCT. 23, 2019 3 AM Los Angeles Times  October 23, 2019    41 WASHINGTON — After The Times reported last week that nearly 300 drinking water wells and other water sources in California had been contaminated with toxic chemicals linked to cancer, readers wanted to know what they could do. For many, it was the first time they had read about this class of chemicals, called perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances — or PFAS. We talked to industry experts, and the following are their best answers to some of the most often-asked questions we received. Will the water filter pitcher I have in my fridge remove PFAS? If only it were that easy. Common water pitcher brands like Brita and Pur are perfectly fine if you want to reduce bad-tasting chlorine and contaminants like heavy metals. But they weren’t designed to remove PFAS or even reduce their concentration in your tap water. NSF International, a group that tests and certifies water filtration systems, lists 77 products that can reduce PFAS to below the Environmental Protection Agency’s health advisory level. Some of them function like pitchers — you fill them manually and they don’t have to be installed under your sink — but they do have to be docked into a filtration system that sits on your counter and has to be plugged in. They cost about $100-$150. What type of home filtration system is best? According to the Environmental Working Group, or EWG, a public health advocacy organization that has called for more regulation of PFAS, the gold standard for in- house filtration is a reverse osmosis filter, commonly called RO. 42 Reverse osmosis filters work by forcing water through a membrane that traps contaminants. These filters are considered the most effective, but they produce large amounts of wastewater — about three times as much water as they treat. Ranging from $200 to $1,800, a reverse osmosis system is typically the most expensive option and may require a professional plumber to install it under the sink. The second best option is an activated carbon filter, which also goes under the sink. These systems are less expensive than reverse osmosis and their cartridges are often cheaper to replace. EWG doesn’t endorse any particular brand and NSF International gives you 10 different manufacturers to choose from. There are several caveats to these recommendations. First, the federal government does not regulate PFAS and there is no agreed-upon safe level for drinking water. Though NSF-certified filters are proven to reduce contaminant levels below the EPA guideline, there’s debate among scientists and public health advocates about whether the federal government’s advisory level is too high. For example, New Hampshire has the strictest PFAS standards in the country, which are significantly lower than the EPA’s level. Whether a home filtration system can meet these tighter standards is unclear. Also, NSF certifies products to remove the two most common variants in the PFAS class — PFOA and PFOS — but there are thousands more. It’s unknown how effective water filters are on the second generation of PFAS. 43 Just because you live close to a well with elevated levels of PFAS does not mean your tap water comes from that source. California has about 3,000 water providers, some of which purchase water from wholesalers that operate their own groundwater wells. However, if your water does come from a utility with one or more contaminated wells, keep in mind that the PFAS level found in a well may not be the same as what comes out of your faucet. Some California water utilities have shut down contaminated wells, put them on “emergency-only” status or processed their water through treatment plants. Others have begun blending contaminated sources with clean ones to lower the concentration. If you’re concerned, the best course of action is to call your water provider. Can I test my tap water for PFAS? Yes, you can hire a certified laboratory to test your water. It’s also possible to sample water yourself and send it to a laboratory, but it’s quite complicated. Because these chemicals have been used in a dizzying array of consumer products, cross-contamination is a serious concern. Michigan’s Department of Environmental Quality has detailed instructions that warn against wearing latex gloves, water resistant clothing, or even certain kinds of lotion and sunscreen that contain the contaminants, while collecting samples. It’s easy to inadvertently ruin a sample by wearing or touching something with PFAS in it. 44 If you’re interested in testing, California drinking water officials recommend that you contact a laboratory that’s accredited for PFAS testing. However, testing is expensive. Prices range from $400 to $1,000 per sample. I get my water from a private well. Should I wait for the state to test it or do it myself? So far, California’s State Water Resources Control Board has tested about 600 water sources — a small fraction of the whole system — and it’s unclear how quickly the state will move to require more. State officials have said they are prioritizing wells and other sources near areas that are known to be contaminated, such as military bases, wastewater treatment plants, municipal airports and landfills. Unlike Michigan, which has committed to testing all of its public water providers, California has not said whether it will do the same, much less turn its attention to private drinking water wells. If you don’t want to wait for the state to act, you can have a laboratory test your water. Will my water bill go up if PFAS are found in my area? It’s possible. Although state-ordered PFAS testing is only beginning in California, already there are examples of water districts spending money to build new treatment facilities or purchasing clean water from elsewhere to replace wells that were shut down. Orange County officials have warned that if the chemicals spread throughout the groundwater basin, residents there could see their water bills rise by as much as 15%. But because testing is ongoing, it’s unclear how widespread or how expensive the cleanup effort will ultimately be. California is still trying to understand the scale of 45 the problem. As more testing is conducted, it seems likely that state officials will focus on the chemical companies and military branches that introduced PFAS into the environment. In the end, “who pays?” may be a question for the courts. 46     EPA to Provide $585 Million for Climate‐Resilient  Huntington Beach Seawater Desalination Plant  October 23, 2019 by Efficient Gov Staff Image: Wikimedia Commons The assistance comes through the federal government’s Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act. Efficient Gov  October 23, 2019    47 HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. — Poseidon Water released the following statement in response to yesterday’s announcement that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has selected the proposed Huntington Beach Desalination Project to apply for $585 million in credit assistance under the federal government’s Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA). We are pleased by the U.S. EPA’s acknowledgment that the Huntington Beach Desalination Project is an environmentally sound, regionally significant project that will produce clean, safe drinking water and high-quality jobs,” said Poseidon Water CEO Carlos Riva. “WIFIA will make a tangible difference for Orange County,” he continued, “providing ratepayers with affordable water that is locally controlled and climate resilient. The program is an excellent example of how the federal government can foster Public-Private Partnerships that modernize our nation’s water infrastructure.” In 2015, Poseidon Water and the Orange County Water District entered into a Water Purchase Agreement Term Sheet for the purchase of the plant’s full 50 MGD capacity. The Project’s WIFIA application was sponsored by the Orange County Water District, which stated, “A WIFIA financing award will help reduce the ratepayer cost of the potable water produced by the desalination Project, accelerating the Project development and ultimately provide a new, locally controlled drought-proof supply of drinking water for Southern California.” The WIFIA program accelerates investment in the nation’s water infrastructure by providing long-term, low-cost supplemental loans for regionally and nationally significant projects. The benefits of the credit assistance provided by WIFIA to the Huntington Beach Project will result in a direct financial pass through to Orange County water ratepayers, which Poseidon estimates will reduce consumer water costs by $290 million over the life of the Project as compared to current financing options. The WIFIA program was established by the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014, during the last term in public office for former U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer, a California environmental icon. . When the WIFIA program was established by Congress, it passed with overwhelming bipartisan support. Everyone, regardless of party, knew it would be a great way to reduce costs to the consumer, encourage state of the art technology, create jobs, and help our country meet the challenges of climate change. The legislation created a high bar for a project to meet and the Huntington Beach Project meets every criteria,” said Senator Boxer. This year, EPA will help finance over $6 billion in water infrastructure investments that will create up to 190,000 jobs, upgrade aging infrastructure, reduce lead exposure, and improve the lives of millions of Americans across the country. In 2018, construction of the final phase of the Orange County Water District’s Groundwater Replenishment System received a WIFIA loan. 48 After a robust, statutorily required review process, the Huntington Beach Desalination Project was selected as one of 38 projects nationwide, representing large and small communities, who submitted letters of interest to EPA in response to the 2019 WIFIA Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). Together, the selected borrowers will receive WIFIA loans totaling up to $6 billion to help finance over $12 billion in water infrastructure investments and create up to 190,000 jobs. With EPA’s WIFIA loan, the Huntington Beach Desalination Plant will provide 50 million gallons per day (56,000-acre-feet per year) of reliable, climate-resilient water to approximately 400,000 people in Orange County. The plant will be Orange County’s largest single source of local supply water supply. The plant will provide a highly reliable water supply produced with state-of-the-art technology to reduce energy demands, and it will also be one of the only water infrastructure projects in the state to have a zero net carbon footprint. The Huntington Beach Desalination Project will include over 1.5 million labor hours in Orange County, supporting an estimated 3,000 jobs and infusing $500 million into the local economy. The Huntington Beach Desalination Plant will open a new chapter in water supply reliability for the Orange County region and the state by tapping the potential of the Pacific Ocean and reducing dependence on strained resources such as the Sacramento-San Joaquin Bay- Delta. It is bolstering the region’s self-reliance, and in turn, its future by meeting the needs of future generations. 49 Orange Coast College Rendering of plans for the Orange Coast College’s Mariners Training Center in Newport Beach. PLANNING & DESIGN>NEW CONSTRUCTION California college begins construction of  Mariner training center    The 12,000‐square‐foot, $22 million Mariners Training Center in Newport Beach will enable Orange  Coast College’s School of Sailing & Seamanship to expand.   American School & University  October 24, 2019  50 Mike Kennedy | Oct 24, 2019 After years of planning, the expansion of Orange Coast College’s School of Sailing &  Seamanship is finally underway.  The Orange County Register reports that construction has begun on a 12,000‐square‐foot, $22  million Mariners Training Center across the street from the existing harbor‐front school  facility in Newport Beach, Calif.    A skyway bridge over Pacific Coast Highway will connect the sailing school with the center,  which will be built above ground‐level parking and will feature a radar training room, a full  mission bridge simulator, state‐of‐the‐art lab space, classrooms, a conference room and a  student lounge.    The project is scheduled for completion in fall 2021. It’s being paid for through the bond issue  that voters approved in 2012 to finance nearly $700 million in improvements in the Coast  Community College District.    Brad Avery, director of the School of Sailing and Seamanship, says the program had only two  classrooms at the harbor and one on the Orange Coast College campus in Costa Mesa.   “So this was about providing a new home for this program," he says. "It’s going to be  fantastic.”  The college's School of Sailing & Seamanship opened almost 60 years ago, offering basic  boating instruction for the general population.    The program, which now serves more than 1,500 students annually, has since expanded to  include a professional program that offers certificates and associate degrees to students  pursuing maritime careers.    Opportunities exist working on commercial shipping vessels, private yachts, charter boats,  whale watching and dive boats, cruise ships, passenger ferries and tugboats.  “We’re getting more calls from people looking for employees than we have students,” says  Sarah Hirsch, director of the college's Community Boating program. “It’s exciting down here.  For us, this is an opportunity to have more classroom space right here where we already have  our program.”    The seamanship and sailing school had been looking to expand for several years, Avery says.  But it took about 15 years for the Coast Community College District to acquire the land.  The Orange County Sanitation District was looking to rebuild pump stations at the time and  partnered with college district on the land acquisition.    The sanitation district bought the land, built a pump station first, which took about six years,  and then sold a portion of the property to the community college district  51 Nearly all of the vessels and equipment used for teaching students have been donated over  the years, Avery says. That includes a 92‐foot yacht, the Nordic Star, along with smaller sail  boats and power boats.    52 London sewer’s 40‐ton fatberg cleared  after 3 weeks, debris removed by hand,  officials say    By Stephen Sorace | Fox News  British engineers have finally cleared a massive 40‐ton block of waste known as a “fatberg” from a South London sewer after spending three weeks chiseling down the clog, officials said. Engineers with Thames Water, a private utility company serving the London area, used high‐powered water jets that blast the congealed blockage loose, the company said in a news release Wednesday. Workers then removed the debris, a combination of fat, grease and other materials, by hand. “This was a massive and disgusting blockage that took a great deal of effort and teamwork to clear and get the sewer working well again,” said Matt Rimmer, Thames Water’s head of waste networks. FOX News Channel  October 31, 2019    53 The mammoth clog, discovered earlier this year, weighed the same as three of London’s famed red double‐decker buses and took up as much as 80 percent of the sewer’s capacity, the news release said. If the huge blob wasn’t handled, it could have grown even bigger, causing sewage to back up into homes and businesses. It could have also harmed the environment. The blob of congealed waste weighed 40 tons, about the same as three of London's famed red buses, Thames Water said. (Thames Water) WORK BEGINS TO REMOVE MAMMOTH 'FATBERG' UNDER BRITISH TOWN Fatbergs are formed when grease, fat and oil are disposed of down sinks or other drains and fuse with “unflushable” items like wet wipes, diapers and cotton swabs, according to Thames Water. “We’d urge everyone to help fight the fatberg by only flushing the 3Ps ‐‐ pee, poo and paper ‐‐ as well as disposing of fat and oils in the bin, not the sink,” Rimmer said. Several enormous fatbergs have popped up in England over the past several years. 54 Earlier this year, a 210‐foot fatberg was removed from a popular southwestern English resort town. In 2017, an 820‐foot fatberg was found in sewers beneath Whitechapel in east London. 55 November 4, 2019 2019 Excellence in Environmental Engineering and Science™ Awards Competition Winners The award recipients are listed below. Detailed information on the project categories and awards can be found at: https://www.aaees.org/e3scompetition. Click on the links below to view a full profile of each winning project. Superior Achievement Multipronged Collection System Odor Control Program at OCSD; Less Odors and Lower Costs Entrant: Orange County Sanitation District Engineer in Charge: Jeffrey Brown, P.E., BCEE Location: Fountain Valley, California Planning Honor Award Wastewater Collection and Treatment Facilities Master Plan Entrant: Orange County Sanitation District Engineer in Charge: Eros Yong, P.E., BCEE Location: Fountain Valley, California American Academy of  Environmental Engineers  November 4, 2019  56 Twitter Posts  November 2019    57 Facebook Posts  November 2019    58 59 60 Instagram Posts  November 2019  Orange County Sanitation District LEGISLATIVE AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE Agenda Report Administration Building 10844 Ellis Avenue Fountain Valley, CA 92708 (714) 593-7433 File #:2019-779 Agenda Date:12/9/2019 Agenda Item No:3. FROM:James D. Herberg, General Manager SUBJECT: LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS UPDATE FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER 2019 GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION RECOMMENDATION: Recommend to the Board of Directors to: Receive and file the Legislative Affairs Update for the month of November 2019. BACKGROUND The Orange County Sanitation District’s (Sanitation District) legislative affairs program includes advocating the Sanitation District’s legislative interests, sponsoring legislation (where appropriate), and seeking Local, State, and Federal funding for projects and programs. Staff will provide an update on recent legislative and grant activities. RELEVANT STANDARDS ·Maintain influential legislative advocacy and a public outreach program ·Build brand, trust, and support with policy makers and community leaders ·Maintain collaborative and cooperative relationships with regulators, stakeholders, and neighboring communities PROBLEM Without a strong advocacy program,elected officials may not be aware that the Sanitation District is more than a wastewater treatment plant - treating and sending water to the ocean. The Sanitation District is an environmentally engaged organization which recycles more than 50 percent of its wastewater.Additionally,to help meet the goal of 100 percent recycling,the Sanitation District uses the byproducts from the wastewater treatment process to produce biosolids to fertilize crops and energy used to help power the two plants in Fountain Valley and Huntington Beach. PROPOSED SOLUTION Continue to work with Local,State,and Federal officials to advocate the Sanitation District’s legislative interests.Help to create/monitor legislation and grants that would benefit the Sanitation District,the wastewater industry,and the community as a whole.To assist in our relationship building Orange County Sanitation District Printed on 11/27/2019Page 1 of 2 powered by Legistar™ File #:2019-779 Agenda Date:12/9/2019 Agenda Item No:3. District,the wastewater industry,and the community as a whole.To assist in our relationship building activities,we will continue to reach out to our elected officials providing facility tours,one-on-one meetings, and trips to D.C. and Sacramento. TIMING CONCERNS N/A RAMIFICATIONS OF NOT TAKING ACTION If we do not work with Local,State,and Federal elected officials,legislation could be passed that negatively affects the Sanitation District and the wastewater industry as a whole.Additionally,this could affect our chances of receiving grant funding. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The Sanitation District is applying for a grant through CalRecycle’s Organics Grant Program for the Food-Waste Co-Digestion facility at Plant No.2 in Huntington Beach.The amount the Sanitation District would be eligible to receive is up to $3 million. The grant application is due December 5. On Thursday,November 21,the Sanitation District signed onto the California Association of Sanitation Agencies’(CASA)coalition letter supporting Congressman Alan Lowenthal (CA-47)and Senator Tom Udall’s (D-N.M.)legislation to address the plastic waste crisis.As supported in the Sanitation District’s Legislative Platform,the proposal sets requirements for labeling non-flushable wet wipe products and sets parameters for which wipes can be labeled as “flushable”or “sewer and septic safe.” Additionally,the draft language includes provisions that would require wipes manufacturers to include statements about wet wipes containing plastic content. FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS N/A ATTACHMENT The following attachment(s)are included in hard copy and may also be viewed on-line at the OCSD website (www.ocsd.com) with the complete agenda package: ·Federal Update - ENS Resources ·Federal Legislative Matrix - ENS Resources ·State Update - Townsend Public Affairs ·State Legislative Matrix - Townsend Public Affairs ·Grant Matrix ·CASA Coalition Wipes Support Letter Orange County Sanitation District Printed on 11/27/2019Page 2 of 2 powered by Legistar™ M E M O R A N D U M TO: Rebecca Long FROM: Eric Sapirstein DATE: November 18, 2019 SUBJECT: Washington Update Congress and the White House continue to discuss a path forward on finalizing fiscal year 2020 spending bills, to avoid a governmental shutdown on November 21 when the stopgap spending bill expires. An apparent agreement has been reached that would extend governmental operations through December 20, providing House and Senate leadership about three weeks to strike a compromise with the White House to finalize a spending blueprint for all federal agencies for the remaining nine months of the fiscal year. In addition to the focus on spending decisions, congressional leaders made incremental progress on water infrastructure policymaking and are working to break the gridlock on Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS/PFOA) cleanup mandates as part of the National Defense Authorization Act. The following summarizes these and other matters of interest. Finalizing Fiscal Year 2020 Spending Decisions Likely to Extend into December Earlier in the month, the Senate approved the first of several “minibus” spending packages. The Senate passed the Interior and Environment Appropriations bill (H.R. 3055) by 84-9. The bill funds the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) as well as the Department of the Interior. The action puts the minibus in a position to be conferenced with the House-passed version of the bill. However, this effort is now likely to be rolled into a massive omnibus spending agreement. 2 | P a g e Regardless of the overall effort to strike a deal that includes funding of the border wall project, funding of water infrastructure programs like the State Revolving Loan (SRF) Program and Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovative Act (WIFIA) are expected to be near record levels with the SRF funded at almost $1.8 for clean water projects. In addition, USEPA’s budget is likely to contain funding for the agency to continue studies into PFAS chemicals and how best to regulate these chemicals to protect human health and clean up contaminated groundwater basins. However, as detailed below, efforts to include provisions mandating liability for PFAS contamination under Superfund is unlikely this year. The Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill (H.R 2740), that provides funding for water recycling projects and related studies, is wrapped into a second “minibus” that is awaiting consideration by the Senate. Along with the Energy and Water Development bill, the second “minibus” also includes the Defense of Department and Homeland Security budgets, and this has stymied progress, because these spending bills would include funding for the border wall project. Nonetheless, it appears increasingly likely that an agreement to provide funding, with a prohibition on the transfer of defense program funding, to increase construction assistance will be fashioned to allow for Senate passage of the “minibus” as part of the overall spending bill that we anticipate in late December. Failing an agreement, it becomes more likely that Congress would settle upon a third and final stopgap spending bill, carrying fiscal year 2019 spending levels into the remaining months of fiscal year 2020. In a worst-case scenario, water recycling funding assistance would remain at approximately $30 million instead of about $60 million as contemplated in the proposed fiscal year 2020 spending measures. House and Senate Committees Remain At Loggerheads on PFAS Issues The House and Senate Conference Committee that is working to finalize the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA—H.R. 2500/S. 1790) remain at an impasse as to how to legislate cleanups of groundwater PFAS contamination. As noted in last month’s update, the House position is unyielding in its demands to designate PFAS as a hazardous substance under Superfund. The Senate opposes this position, because of concerns that such designation could impose substantial liability on water agencies that simply are delivering water that might contain PFAS. Under Superfund, for example, an agency that conveys contaminated water or disposes of biosolids containing PFAS could be named as a responsible party, triggering legal actions for cleanup contributions. The Senate NDAA version provides for USEPA to develop monitoring and treatment standards under the Safe Drinking Water Act, sidestepping the liability debate. The intractable nature of the PFAS debate between the House and Senate conference committee members, coupled with a White House veto threat of the House-approved PFAS language in its version of the NDAA, has caused Senator Jim Inhofe (R-OK), who is serving as the conference committee chair, to call for passage of a scaled back NDAA. His approach does not include any PFAS language. 3 | P a g e Should this occur, any effort to address PFAS cleanup needs would fall to USEPA to issue its findings on the nature and extent of the PFAS threats and then detail its plans and timetable to regulate the monitoring, treatment and disposal of PFAS contaminants. If this is the outcome, we expect that the PFAS issue and Superfund liabilities will resurface next year. Assuming this occurs, speculation exists that congressional proponents of PFAS Superfund liability would seek to attach PFAS liability provisions to a Water Resources Development Act of 2020. Clean Water State Revolving Fund Infrastructure Bill Advances in House The House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure approved, on a bipartisan basis, the Water Quality Protection and Job Creation Act of 2019 (H.R. 1497). The bill is notable as it is the first substantive step to address clean water and water recycling infrastructure needs. It also provides for a prescriptive approach to secure National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits for periods of up to ten years but would eliminate administrative extensions for five-year permits. In the absence of extensions, a state either completes a renewal in a timely manner or it would lose the authority to renew the permit in question and USEPA would assume responsibility. If this were to occur, the permittee would be held harmless during such an event so that it would not be in violation of operating without an NPDES permit. As noted in our prior update, the Senate is unlikely to adopt similar language to eliminate the authority of a state to issue an administrative extension of a five-year permit. Under the measure, the Clean Water SRF would be authorized at $14 billion over five years, grants to agencies to construct water recycling projects would be authorized at $150 million and a series of setaside spending mandates would be provided to support workforce training, green infrastructure and enhanced subsidies for disadvantaged communities to construct water infrastructure. House floor debate and votes on H.R. 1497 could occur in December, but more likely early next year. The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works has indicated that any water infrastructure policymaking will not occur outside of its consideration of a Water Resources Development Act of 2020. The committee hopes to begin formal consideration of such a bill in February, but this could be delayed by other Senate business. Administrative-Related Activities A handful of notable non-legislative matters occurred over the past month. First, the Administration, acting through USEPA, formally repealed the contentious Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule that the Obama Administration issued. This action means that the application of Clean Water Act mandates returns to the 1990’s standard where defining which waters are subject to regulation is made on a case-by-case basis. 4 | P a g e OCSD should not experience any adverse impacts, since the existing regulatory exemption for wastewater agencies being subjected additional mandates remains in place. USEPA is expected to issue a new WOTUS rule within the next few months. It is not expected to adversely impact OCSD regulatory compliance activities. The U.S. Supreme Court also heard oral arguments over a Maui, HI decision that the disposal approach of discharging treated wastewaters through land application that migrates through groundwater into surface waters is subject to securing an NPDES permit. The court heard arguments from Maui (friend of the court filings, including CASA) that the Clean Water Act reserves such authority to the states and that if the federal government wishes to impose management of groundwater, it cannot be through an NPDES program given the fact that this program is reserved for “point source discharges”. While it is never a certainty on how the Court might rule, it seems that a decision to ensure that groundwater regulation remains a state primacy will prevail given the arguments before the Court’s Justices. OCSD Federal Bills of Interest BILL AUTHOR SUMMARY LATEST ACTION OCSD POSITION OTHER POSITIONS H.R. 1162 Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-CA) Water Recycling Investment and Improvement Act. Establishes a grant program for the funding of water recycling and reuse projects, and for other purposes. House - 6/13/19 Subcommittees Hearings held Watch CASA SUPPORTS H.R. 1497 Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR) Water Quality Protection and Job Creation Act of 2019. Provides nearly $23.5 billion in direct infrastructure investment over the next five years to address wastewater infrastructure and local water quality challenges. This bill allocates $20 billion in grants for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund. House - 10/29/19 Ordered to be Reported Out as amended by voice vote Watch CASA SUPPORTS H.R. 535 Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI)R PFAS Action Act of 2019. To require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to shall designate per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980. House - 9/26/19 Forwarded to Full Committee by voice vote Watch NYC H.R. 876 Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR) Pacific Northwest Earthquake Preparedness Act of 2019. Requires the FEMA to develop a plan for the purchase and installation of an earthquake early warning system for the Cascadia Subduction Zone. The term "Cascadia Subduction Zone". House - 2/6/19 Passed House by voice vote, received in Senate and referred to Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Watch NYC H.R. 667 Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA) Regulatory Certainty for Navigable Waters Act. Repeals the Waters of the United States rule and amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act definition of navigable waters, and for other purposes. House - 2/7/19 Referred to Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment Watch NYC Federal Legislation 2019 - 2020 Priority Updated November 2019 OCSD Federal Bills of Interest BILL AUTHOR SUMMARY LATEST ACTION OCSD POSITION OTHER POSITIONS S. 403 Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) A bill to encourage the research and use of innovative materials and associated techniques in the construction and preservation of the domestic transportation and water infrastructure system, and for other purposes. Senate - 2/7/19 Referred to Committee on Environment and Public Works Watch NYC H.R. 977 Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL) To require the Corps of Engineers to notify affected communities before releasing water contaminated with cyanobacteria from flood risk management projects, and for other purposes. House - 2/7/19 Referred to Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment Watch NYC H.R. 892 Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA) To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to limit attorney fees and penalties in citizen suits, and for other purposes. House - 2/7/19 Referred to Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment Watch NYC H.R. 358 Rep. Juan Vargas (D-CA) California New River Restoration Act of 2019. Requires the USEPA to establish a California New River restoration program for the New River. USEPA must (1) implement projects, plans, and initiatives for the New River supported by the California-Mexico Border Relations Council; and (2) provide grants and technical assistance for coordinating restoration and protection activities. House - 2/7/19 Referred to Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment Watch NYC S. 376 Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) Defense Environment and Property Act of 2019. A bill to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to clarify the definition of navigable waters, and for other purposes. Senate - 2/7/19 Referred to Committee on Environment and Public Works Watch NYC Updated November 2019 OCSD Federal Bills of Interest BILL AUTHOR SUMMARY LATEST ACTION OCSD POSITION OTHER POSITIONS H.R. 658 Rep. Rosa DeLauro National Infrastructure Development Bank Act. Facilitates efficient investments and financing of infrastructure projects and new job creation through the establishment of a National Infrastructure Development Bank, and for other purposes. House - 2/7/19 Referred to Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Watch NYC H.R. 1137 Rep. John Garamendi (D-CA) To amend the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 to repeal the authority relating to reprogramming during national emergencies. House - 2/12/19 Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment Watch NYC H.R. 1317 Rep. Harley Rouda (D-CA) Coastal Communities Adaption Act. Improves the resilience of the built and natural environment to natural disasters and climate change using, among other measures, natural and nature-based features, and for other purposes. House - 3/619 Referred to Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment Watch NYC S. 638 Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE) PFAS Action Act. A bill to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to designate per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, Liability Act of 1980, and for other purposes. Senate - 2/28/19 Referred to Committee on Environment and Public Works Watch NYC S. 611 Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) Water Affordability, Transparency, Equity, and Reliability Act of 2019. A bill to provide adequate funding for water and sewer infrastructure, and for other purposes. Senate - 2/28/19 Referred to Committee on Environment and Public Works Watch NYC H.R. 1331 Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN) Local Water Protection Act. To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to reauthorize certain programs relating to nonpoint source management, and for other purposes. House - 4/9/19 Passed House 329-56. Received in Senate, referred to Committee on Environment and Public Works Watch NYC Updated November 2019 OCSD Federal Bills of Interest BILL AUTHOR SUMMARY LATEST ACTION OCSD POSITION OTHER POSITIONS H.R. 1764 Rep. John Garamendi (D-CA) To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act with respect to permitting terms, and for other purposes. House - 3/15/19 Referred to Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment Watch CASA, NACWA, ACWA - SUPPORTS S. 950 Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) PFAS Detection Act of 2019. Requires the Director of the United States Geological Survey to perform a nationwide survey of perfluorinated compounds, and for other purposes. Senate - 3/28/19 Referred to Committee on Environment and Public Works Watch NYC S. 933 Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) BLUE GLOBE Act. Improves data collection and monitoring of the Great Lakes, oceans, bays, estuaries, and coasts, and for other purposes. Senate - 3/28/19 Referred to Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Watch NYC S. 914 Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) Coordinated Ocean Observations and Research Act of 2019. Reauthorizes the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009, to clarify the authority of the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration with respect to post-storm assessments, and to require the establishment of a National Water Center, and for other purposes. Senate - 4/3/19 Referred to Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Watch NYC H.R. 2019 Rep. Jerry McNerney (D-CA) Smart Energy and Water Efficiency Act of 2019. Provides for a smart water resource management pilot program. House - 4/9/19 Referred to Committee on Science, Space, and Technology Watch NYC H.R. 1904 Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-CA) Indian Water Rights Settlement Extension Act. Amends the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 to make the Reclamation Water Settlements Fund permanent. House - 4/4/19 Committee on Natural Resources Hearings Held Watch NYC H.R. 2205 Rep. David McKinley (R-WV) Water Quality Certification Improvement Act of 2019. Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to make changes with respect to water quality certification, and for other purposes. House - 4/11/19 Referred to Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment Watch NYC Updated November 2019 OCSD Federal Bills of Interest BILL AUTHOR SUMMARY LATEST ACTION OCSD POSITION OTHER POSITIONS H.R. 2189 Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) Digital Coast Act. Requires the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, to establish a constituent-driven program to provide a digital information platform capable of efficiently integrating coastal data with decision-support tools, training, and best practices and to support collection of priority coastal geospatial data to inform and improve local, State, regional, and Federal capacities to manage the coastal region, and for other purposes. House - 9/18/19 Reported out of Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure as amended by unanimous consent Watch NYC S. 1069 Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) A bill to require the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, to establish a constituent-driven program to provide a digital information platform capable of efficiently integrating coastal data with decision- support tools, training, and best practices and to support collection of priority coastal geospatial data to inform and improve local, State, regional, and Federal capacities to manage the coastal region, and for other purposes. Senate - 11/13/19 Ordered to be Reported out of Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation favorably Watch NYC S. 1087 Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) A bill to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to make changes with respect to water quality certification, and for other purposes. Senate - 4/9/19 Referred to Committee on Environment and Public Works Watch NYC H.R. 2473 Rep. Josh Harder (D-CA) S.A.V.E. Water Resources Act. Promotes water supply reliability and improved water management for rural communities, the State of California, and the Nation, and for other purposes. House - 6/13/19 Subcommittees Hearings held Watch NYC S. 1251 Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) Safe Drinking Water Assistance Act of 2019. Improves and coordinate interagency Federal actions and provide assistance to States for responding to public health challenges posed by emerging contaminants, and for other purposes. Senate - 4/30/19 Referred to Committee on Environment and Public Works Watch NYC H.R. 2458 Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (D-FL) WISE Act. Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to require a certain percentage of funds appropriated for revolving fund capitalization grants be used for green projects, and for other purposes. House - 5/1/19 Referred to Subcomittee of Water Resrources and Environment Watch NYC Updated November 2019 OCSD Federal Bills of Interest BILL AUTHOR SUMMARY LATEST ACTION OCSD POSITION OTHER POSITIONS H.R. 2377 Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-PA) Protect Drinking Water from PFAS Act of 2019. Requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to address the level of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water. Specifically, the EPA must publish a maximum contaminant level goal and promulgate a national primary drinking water regulation for total PFAS. PFAS are man-made chemicals that may lead to adverse human health effects. House - 9/26/19 Forwarded to Full Committee by voice vote Watch NYC H.R. 2533 Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) Providing Financial Assistance for Safe Drinking Water Act. To assist community water systems affected by PFAS contamination, and for other purposes. House - 9/26/19 Forwarded to Full Committee by voice vote Watch NYC H.R. 2566 Rep. Darren Soto (D-FL) To require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to revise the Safer Choice Standard to provide for a Safer Choice label for pots, pans, and cooking utensils that do not contain PFAS, and for other purposes. House - 9/26/19 Forwarded to Full Committee by voice vote Watch NYC H.R. 2577 Rep. Antonio Delgado (D-NY) PFAS Right-To-Know Act. Amends the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act of 1986 to include per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances on the Toxics Release Inventory, and for other purposes. House - 9/26/19 Forwarded to Full Committee by voice vote Watch NYC S. 1372 Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) A bill to encourage Federal agencies to expeditiously enter into or amend cooperative agreements with States for removal and remedial actions to address PFAS contamination in drinking, surface, and ground water and land surface and subsurface strata, and for other purposes. Senate - 5/8/19 Referred to Committee on Environment and Public Works Watch NYC H.R. 2740 Rep. Rosa De Lauro (D-CT) Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Defense, State, Foreign Operations, and Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, 2020. Making appropriations for energy and water development and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2020, and for other purposes. House - 6/19/19 Passed House 226-203 Watch NYC Updated November 2019 OCSD Federal Bills of Interest BILL AUTHOR SUMMARY LATEST ACTION OCSD POSITION OTHER POSITIONS H.R. 3055 Rep. Jose Serrano (D-NY) Commerce, Justice, Science, Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, Transportation, and House and Urban Development Appropriations Act, 2020. Making appropriations for the Department of the Interior, environment, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2020, and for other purposes. House - 6/25/19 Pased House 227-194. 11/4/19 - Passed Senate 84-9. Watch NYC H.R. 2705 Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) Water Infrastructure Trust Fund Act of 2019. To establish a Water Infrastructure Trust Fund, and for other purposes. House - 5/15/19 Referred to Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment Watch NYC H.R. 2755 Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-PA) Buy America 2.0 Act. To standardize and extend certain Buy America Provisions. House - 5/16/19 Referred to Subcommittee on Aviation Watch NYC S. 1473 Sen. Kristen Gillibrand (D-NY) Protect Drinking Water from PFAS Act of 2019. A bill to amend the Safe Drinking Water Act to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to set maximum contaminant levels for certain chemicals, and for other purposes. House - 5/15/19 Referred to Committee on Environment and Public Works Watch NYC S. 1535 Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) Reinventing Economic Partnerships and Infrastructure Redevelopment Act. A bill to facilitate efficient investments and financing of infrastructure projects and new, long-term job creation through the establishment of an Infrastructure Financing Authority, and for other purposes. Senate - 5/16/19 Referred to Committee on Finance Watch NYC H.R. 2776 Rep. Lori Trahan (D-MA) Stop Sewage Overflow Act. To make certain municipalities eligible for grants under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, and for other purposes. House - 5/16/19 Referred to Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment Watch NYC Updated November 2019 OCSD Federal Bills of Interest BILL AUTHOR SUMMARY LATEST ACTION OCSD POSITION OTHER POSITIONS H.R. 2800 Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) PFAS Monitoring Act of 2019. To amend the Safe Drinking Water Act to require continued and expanded monitoring of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in drinking water, and for other purposes. House - 5/16/19 Referred to Committee on Energy and Commerce Watch NYC S. 1507 Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (D-WV) A bill to include certain perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in the toxics release inventory, and for other purposes. Senate - 6/27/19 Passed as an amendment to National Defense Authorization Act (S. 1790) Watch NYC S. 1613 Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) Contaminant and Lead Electronic Accounting and Reporting Requirements for (CLEARR) Drinking Water Act of 2019. Amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to update and modernize the reporting requirements for contaminants, including lead, in drinking water, and for other purposes. Senate - 5/22/19 Referred to Committee on Environment and Public Works Watch NYC S. 1570 Sen. James Risch (R-ID) Aquifer Recharge Flexibility Act. Provides flexibility to allow greater aquifer recharge, and for other purposes. Senate - 7/18/19 Subcommittee Hearings Held Watch NYC H.R. 2871 Rep. Russ Fulcher (R-ID) Aquifer Recharge Flexibility Act. Provides flexibility to allow greater aquifer recharge, and for other purposes. House - 6/10/19 Referred to Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment Watch NYC S. 1604 Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) Local Water Protection Act. Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to reauthorize certain programs relating to nonpoint source management, and for other purposes. Senate - 5/22/19 Referred to Committee on Environment and Public Works Watch NYC Updated November 2019 OCSD Federal Bills of Interest BILL AUTHOR SUMMARY LATEST ACTION OCSD POSITION OTHER POSITIONS S. 1730 Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) Living Shorelines Act of 2019. Directs the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to make grants to State and local governments and nongovernmental organizations for purposes of carrying out climate-resilient living shoreline projects that protect coastal communities by supporting ecosystem functions and habitats with the use of natural materials and systems, and for other purposes. Senate - 6/5/19 Referred to Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation Watch NYC H.R. 3226 Rep. Andy Kim (D-NJ) Safe Water for Military Families Act. Directs the Secretary of Defense to prohibit the use of firefighting foam containing perfuoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances, and for other purposes. House - 6/12/19 Referred to Committee on Armed Services Watch NYC S. 1837 Sen. Kristen Gillibrand (D-NY) PIPE Act. A bill to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a discretionary grant program for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects, and for other purposes. Senate - 6/13/19 Referred to Committee on Environment and Public Works Watch NYC H.R. 3254 Rep. Antonio Delgado (D-NY) PIPE Act. To require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a discretionary grant program for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects, and for other purposes. House - 6/14/19 Referred to Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment Watch NYC Updated November 2019 OCSD Federal Bills of Interest BILL AUTHOR SUMMARY LATEST ACTION OCSD POSITION OTHER POSITIONS H.R. 3521 Rep. Greg Stanton (D-AZ) Wastewater Infrastructure Workforce Investment Act. To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act with respect to wastewater infrastructure workforce development, and for other purposes. House - 6/27/19 Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment Watch NYC H.R. 3541 Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-CA) Coastal State Climate Preparedness Act of 2019. To amend the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 to require the Secretary of Commerce to establish a coastal climate change adaptation preparedness and response program, and for other purposes. House - 11/15/19 Placed on Union Calendar Watch NYC S. 2086 Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) National Opportunity for Lead Exposure Accountability and Deterrence Act of 2019. To amend the Safe Drinking Water Act to improve transparency under the national primary drinking water regulations for lead and copper, and for other purposes. Senate - 7/11/19 Referred to Committee on Environment and Public Works Watch NYC S. 1932 Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO) Drought Resiliency and Water Supply Infrastructure Act. To support water infrastructure in Reclamation States, and for other purposes. Senate - 7/18/19 Subcommittee Hearings Held Watch CASA, NACWA, NWRA, ACWA - SUPPORTS H.R. 3115 Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) Living Shorelines Act of 2019. To direct the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to make grants to State and local governments and nongovernmental organizations for purposes of carrying out climate-resilient living shoreline projects that protect coastal communities by supporting ecosystem functions and habitats with the use of natural materials and systems, and for other purposes. House -9/25/19 Ordered to be Reported Out as amended by voice vote Watch NYC Updated November 2019 OCSD Federal Bills of Interest BILL AUTHOR SUMMARY LATEST ACTION OCSD POSITION OTHER POSITIONS H.R. 3510 Rep. Josh Harder (D-CA) Water Resources Research Amendments Act. To amend the Water Resources Research Act of 1984 to reauthorize grants for and require applied water supply research regarding the water resources research and technology institutes established under that Act. House - 7/25/19 Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife held Watch NYC H.R. 3723 Rep. Mike Levin (D-CA) Desalination Development Act. To promote desalination project development and drought resilience, and for other purposes. House - 7/25/19 Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife hearing held Watch NYC H.R. 3677 Rep. Dan Kildee (D-MI) National Opportunity for Lead Exposure Accountability and Deterrence Act of 2017. To amend the Safe Drinking Water Act to improve transparency under the national primary drinking water regulations for lead and copper, and for other purposes. House - 7/10/19 Referred to Committee on Energy and Commerce Watch NYC H.R. 3919 Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA) Creating Opportunity And Sustainability Through Science Act. To require research in coastal sustainability and resilience, to ensure that the Federal Government continues to implement and advance coastal resiliency efforts, and for other purposes. House - 8/7/19 Referred to Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife Watch NYC S. 2236 Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) Environmental Justice Act of 2019. To require Federal agencies to address environmental justice, to require consideration of cumulative impacts in certain permitting decisions, and for other purposes. Senate - 7/23/19 Referred to Committee and Public Works Watch NYC H.R. 4033 Rep. Dan Kildee (D-MI) Water Justice Act. To provide supplemental appropriations for safe and secure water, and for other purposes. House - 9/4/19 Referred to Subcommittee on Commodity Exchanges, Energy, and Credit Watch NYC Updated November 2019 OCSD Federal Bills of Interest BILL AUTHOR SUMMARY LATEST ACTION OCSD POSITION OTHER POSITIONS H.R. 3944 Rep. Kevin Hern (R-OK) To amend the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014 to modify the procedure for communicating certain emergency risks, and for other purposes. House - 7/25/19 Referred to Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment Watch NYC H.R. 3923 Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-CA) Environmental Justice Act of 2019. To require Federal agencies to address environmental justice, to require consideration of cumulative impacts in certain permitting decisions, and for other purposes. House - 8/15/19 Referred to Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties Watch NYC S. 2456 Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM) Clean Water Through Green Infrastructure Act. To establish centers of excellence for innovative stormwater control infrastructure, and for other purposes. Senate - 9/10/19 Referred to Committee on Environment and Public Works Watch NYC H.R. 4266 Rep. Denny Heck (D-WA) Clean Water Through Green Infrastructure Act. To establish centers of excellence for innovative stormwater control infrastructure, and for other purposes. House - 9/11/19 Referred to Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment Watch NYC S. 2466 Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) Water Justice Act. To provide supplemental appropriations for safe and secure water, and for other purposes. Senate - 9/11/19 Referred to Committee on Environment and Public Works Watch NYC Updated November 2019 OCSD Federal Bills of Interest BILL AUTHOR SUMMARY LATEST ACTION OCSD POSITION OTHER POSITIONS S. 2470 Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2020. Provides FY2020 appropriations for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers civil works projects, the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation, the Department of Energy (DOE), and independent agencies such as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Senate - 9/12/19 Reported out of Committee on Appropriations 31-0. Watch NYC H.R. 4378 Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY) Continuing Appropriations Act, 2020, and Health Extenders Act of 2019 House - 9/18/19 Passed House 301-123. Received in Senate. Watch NYC H.R. 4347 Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-PA) PREPARE Act of 2019. To enhance the Federal Government’s planning and preparation for extreme weather and the Federal Government’s dissemination of best practices to respond to extreme weather, thereby increasing resilience, improving regional coordination, and mitigating the financial risk to the Federal Government from such extreme weather, and for other purposes. House - 9/17/19 Reported out of Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure by voice vote Watch NYC S. 2596 Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) Voluntary Water Partnership for Distressed Communities Act of 2019. To amend the Safe Drinking Water Act to authorize certain community water systems to enter into partnerships to improve the water systems, and for other purposes. Senate - 10/15/19 Referred to Committee on Environment and Public Works Watch NYC S. 2636 Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) Clean Water Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Act. To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to establish a program to make grants to eligible entities to increase the resilience of publicly owned treatment works to natural hazards, and for other purposes. Senate - 10/17/19 Referred to Committee on Environment and Public Works Watch NYC H.R. 4687 Rep. Harley Rouda (D-CA) SMART Infrastructure Act. To waive certain procurement provisions for a project that receives funds from certain Federal agencies. House - 10/17/19 Referred to Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Science, Space, and Technology, Agriculture, and Energy and Commerce Watch NYC Updated November 2019 OCSD Federal Bills of Interest BILL AUTHOR SUMMARY LATEST ACTION OCSD POSITION OTHER POSITIONS H.R. 4780 Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-CA) National Infrastructure Investment Corporation Act of 2019. To establish a Government corporation to provide loans and loan guarantees for infrastructure projects, and for other purposes. House - 10/22/19 Referred to Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Watch NYC S. 2687 Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) Low-Income Water Customer Assistance Programs Act of 2019. To amend the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to establish pilot programs to assist low-income households in maintaining access to sanitation services and drinking water, and for other purposes. Senate - 10/23/19 Referred to Committee on Environment and Public Works Watch NYC S. 2674 Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (D-WV) Assuring Quality Water Infrastructure Act. To amend the Safe Drinking Water Act to establish a grant program for improving infrastructure asset management by small public water systems, and for other purposes. Senate - 10/23/19 Referred to Committee on Environment and Public Works Watch NYC S. 2767 Sen. Doug Jones (D-AL) A bill to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to establish a pilot competitive grant program for improving the sharing of water quality data, and for other purposes. Senate - 10/31/19 Referred to Committee on Environment and Public Works Watch NYC Legend: ACC-OC- Association of California Cities, Orange County LOCC- League of California Cities NYC- Not Yet Considered CASA- California Association of Sanitation Agencies NACWA - National Association of Clean Water Agencies ACWA- Association of California Water Agencies CSDA- California Special Districts Association Updated November 2019 To: Orange County Sanitation District From: Townsend Public Affairs, Inc. Date: November 20, 2019 Subject: Legislative and Public Affairs Agenda Report State Political Update The Legislature will return from Interim Recess on January 6, 2020 to start the second year of the current two-year session. When they return, they face quick deadlines to pass all legislation from last year that did not make it out of its house of origin. The second year of a two-year session is slightly condensed, resulting in quicker policy and appropriations deadlines for bills. All bills that did not make it out of their first house in 2019 will need to pass their respective house by January 31, 2020. Additionally, legislators will have another opportunity to introduce new legislation in 2020 and will have to do so by the deadline on February 21, 2020. Although there were several major policy topics addressed this year including housing, homelessness, and public safety, there are still several topics of interest to OCSD that did not make it past the finish line. Potential topics for 2020 that are of interest to OCSD include development impact fees, flushable wipes, ocean discharge reduction mandates, and a potential natural resources/climate change bond. Utility Power Shutoffs In response to the wildfires that have erupted across the state the past few months, utility companies have initiated blackouts throughout several local communities. Millions of customers have gone without power to prevent fallen or compromised power lines from sparking a wildfire. In response, Governor Newsom has appointed members to the California Wildlife Safety Advisory Board, a board of independent expert advisors that will advise the California Public Utilities Commission on wildfire safety measures. This Board was established as outlined in AB 1054 (Holden – D, Pasadena) which was signed into law in July 2019. Additionally, the Governor appointed members to the California Catastrophe Response Council. The Council was established as part of AB 111, the wildfire agencies budget trailer bill. The Council will oversee the operations and management of the Wildfire Fund to pay eligible claims resulting from a wildfire determined to be caused by an electric utility. The Council will direct the Wildfire Fund administrator to prepare and present its operation plans on an annual basis. November 2019 Report 2 Senate Pro Tempore Atkins has also announced the formation of a Senate working group that will study the issue of public safety power shut offs. The members of the working group are the following Senators: • Susan Rubio (D – West Covina) • Mike McGuire (D – San Rafael) • Hannah-Beth Jackson (D – Santa Barbara) • Ben Hueso (D – Chula Vista) • Benjamin Allen (D – Redondo Beach) • Henry Stern (D – Calabasas) • Nancy Skinner (D – Oakland) • Jerry Hill (D – San Mateo) • Scott Wiener (D – San Francisco) In addition to the working group, the Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee conducted an oversight hearing on November 18 to “begin investigating and reviewing options to address the serious deficiencies with the PSPS process”. Representatives from the Investor Owned Utilities, the Governor’s Office, and the CPUC were on hand for several hours to present, answer questions, and consider solutions to Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) especially as they relate to local and regional public safety concerns. A significant amount of time was also spent discussing other intricacies of related issues including technological solutions as well as funding sources for utility hardening. TPA anticipates several bills will be introduced next year to address the PSPS process and other issues surrounding power shut offs. We expect that many of these bills will be gut and amends when the Legislature returns in January 2020, as the issue will still be fresh on legislators’ minds. To that end, SB 378 (Wiener – D, San Francisco) will be amended to require the CPUC to create a process where businesses, individuals, and local governments can recover costs as a result of a PSPS. Early draft amendments to the bill would: • Promote better collection of data on utility equipment in order to assess the risk level prior to a blackout • Ensure that customers cannot be billed for transmission, distribution, and other costs during a planned blackout • Prevent utility companies from spending funds hat oppose the formation of a new municipal utilities TPA will continue to provide timely updates on this issue as it progresses this year and into 2020. November 2019 Report 3 Housing Development Fee Legislation Beginning this month, Assemblymember Tim Grayson (D – Concord) started to conduct roundtable discussions regarding housing development fees and subsequent 2020 legislation. The Assemblymember intends to use these public hearings and discussions about impact fees with developer advocates and local government representatives to learn more about the issue and brainstorm solutions. We anticipate that the public hearings will result in a housing impact fee bill or package that could significantly impact cities and special districts. TPA has been working with California Special Districts Association, the League of California Cities, the California State Association of Counties, and others who are part of local government advocacy groups to develop a strategy coming out of these roundtable stakeholder meetings. The goal of TPA and the local government lobby is to ensure that any housing impact fee bill or package does not jeopardize or change OCSD’s ability to levy vital connection or capacity fees. TPA anticipates this issue will be a major topic of discussion in the 2020 legislative session and will continue to provide updates as they become available. OCSD State Bills of Interest BILL AUTHOR SUMMARY LATEST ACTION OCSD POSITION LEGISLATIVE PLAN OTHER POSITIONS AB 11 Chiu [D]Community Redevelopment Law of 2019 Current law dissolved redevelopment agencies as of February 1, 2012, and designates successor agencies to act as successor entities to the dissolved redevelopment agencies. This bill, the Community Redevelopment Law of 2019, would authorize a city or county, or two or more cities acting jointly, to propose the formation of an affordable housing and infrastructure agency by adoption of a resolution of intention that meets specified requirements, including that the resolution of intention include a passthrough provision and an override passthrough provision, as defined. Two Year Bill Watch State Priorities: Continue to monitor the state budget process and actively protect the allocation of local property taxes to special districts. ACCOC - NYC LOCC - Watch CASA - NYC ACWA - NYC CSDA - Oppose unless amended AB 68 Ting [D]Land use: accessory dwelling units. The Planning and Zoning Law authorizes a local agency to provide, by ordinance, for the creation of accessory dwelling units in single-family and multifamily residential zones and sets forth required ordinance standards, including, among others, lot coverage. This bill would delete the provision authorizing the imposition of standards on lot coverage and would prohibit an ordinance from imposing requirements on minimum lot size. Signed into law Watch Legislative and Regulatory Policies: Special Districts - Oppose further state regulations that adversely impact special district financing, operations, and administration. ACCOC - NYC LOCC - Watch CASA - NYC ACWA - NYC CSDA - Watch AB 69 Ting [D]Land use: accessory dwelling units. Current law requires the Department of Housing and Community Development to propose building standards to the California Building Standards Commission, and to adopt, amend, or repeal rules and regulations governing, among other things, apartment houses and dwellings, as specified. This bill would require the department to propose small home building standards governing accessory dwelling units smaller than 800 square feet, junior accessory dwelling units, and detached dwelling units smaller than 800 square feet, as specified, and to submit the small home building standards to the California Building Standards Commission for adoption on or before January 1, 2021. Two Year Bill Watch Legislative and Regulatory Policies: Special Districts - Oppose further state regulations that adversely impact special district financing, operations, and administration. ACCOC - NYC LOCC - Watch CASA - NYC ACWA - NYC CSDA - Watch AB 134 Bloom [D]Safe Drinking Water Restoration Would require the State Water Resources Control Board to report to the Legislature by July 1, 2025, on its progress in restoring safe drinking water to all California communities and to create an internet website that provides data transparency for all of the board’s activities described in this measure. The bill would require the board to develop metrics to measure the efficacy of the fund in ensuring safe and affordable drinking water for all Californians. Two Year Bill Watch State Priorities: Support legislation or regulations that restrict the use of microplastics in any product that is disposed of through the sewer system. ACCOC - NYC LOCC - Watch CASA - NYC ACWA - NYC CSDA - Watch Proposed Legislation 2019-2020 High Priority OCSD State Bills of Interest BILL AUTHOR SUMMARY LATEST ACTION OCSD POSITION LEGISLATIVE PLAN OTHER POSITIONS AB 223 Stone [D]California Safe Drinking Water Act: microplastics The California Safe Drinking Water Act requires the State Water Resources Control Board to administer provisions relating to the regulation of drinking water to protect public health. Current law requires the state board, on or before July 1, 2020, to adopt a definition of microplastics in drinking water and, on or before July 1, 2021, to adopt a standard methodology to be used in the testing of drinking water for microplastics and requirements for 4 years of testing and reporting of microplastics in drinking water, including public disclosure of those results. This bill would require the state board, to the extent possible, and where feasible and cost effective, to work with the State Department of Public Health in complying with those requirements. Two Year Bill Watch State Priorities: Support legislation or regulations that restrict the use of microplastics in any product that is disposed of through the sewer system. ACCOC - NYC LOCC - Watch CASA - NYC ACWA - NYC CSDA - Watch AB 231 Mathis [R]California Environmental Quality Act: exemption: recycled water. Would exempt from CEQA a project to construct or expand a recycled water pipeline for the purpose of mitigating drought conditions for which a state of emergency was proclaimed by the Governor if the project meets specified criteria. Because a lead agency would be required to determine if a project qualifies for this exemption, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would also exempt from CEQA the development and approval of building standards by state agencies for recycled water systems. Two Year Bill Watch State Priorities: Support efforts to reform the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)to streamline current procedures and regulations for projects to refurbish or replace existing infrastructure facilities. ACCOC - NYC LOCC - Watch CASA - NYC ACWA - NYC CSDA - Support AB 291 Chu Emergency preparedness Would establish a Local Emergency Preparedness and Hazard Mitigation Fund to support staffing, planning, and other emergency mitigation priorities to help local governments meet emergency management, preparedness, readiness, and resilience goals. The bill would, upon appropriation by the Legislature, require the Controller to transfer $500,000,000 to the fund. The bill would require the Office of Emergency Services to establish the Local Emergency Preparedness and Hazard Mitigation Fund Committee under the Standardized Emergency Management System Advisory Board. Two Year Bill Watch State Priorities: Secure funding through grants and legislation for infrastructure, collection improvements and alternative renewable energy at the Fountain Valley, Plant No. 1 and Huntington Beach, Plant No. 2. ACCOC - NYC LOCC - Watch CASA - NYC ACWA - NYC CSDA - Watch AB 292 Quirk [D]Recycled water: raw water and groundwater augmentation Current law requires the State Water Resources Control Board, on or before December 31, 2023, to adopt uniform water recycling criteria for direct potable reuse through raw water augmentation, as specified. This bill would eliminate the definition of “direct potable reuse” and instead would substitute the term “groundwater augmentation” for “indirect potable reuse for groundwater recharge” in these definitions. The bill would require, on or before December 31, 2023, the state board to adopt uniform water recycling criteria for raw water augmentation. Two Year Bill Watch Legislative and Regulatory Policies: Water Quality and Supply - Support measures that promote and provide for the use of reclaimed water ACCOC - NYC LOCC - Watch CASA - NYC ACWA - NYC CSDA - Support OCSD State Bills of Interest BILL AUTHOR SUMMARY LATEST ACTION OCSD POSITION LEGISLATIVE PLAN OTHER POSITIONS AB 352 E. Garcia [D]Wildfire Prevention, Safe Drinking Water, Drought Preparation, and Flood Protection Bond Act of 2020. Would enact the Wildfire Prevention, Safe Drinking Water, Drought Preparation, and Flood Protection Bond Act of 2020, which, if approved by the voters, would authorize the issuance of bonds in the amount of $3,920,000,000 pursuant to the State General Obligation Bond Law to finance a wildlife prevention, safe drinking water, drought preparation, and flood protection program.The bill would provide for the submission of these provisions to the voters at the November 3, 2020, statewide general election. Two Year Bill Watch Legislative and Regulatory Policies: Grant Funding - Support legislation, bonds, programs and projects that provide funding for: infrastructure construction and rehabilitation, special studies and research or projects relating to security, environmental education, water quality, wastewater processing, urban runoff, wastewater recycling, biosolids and organics management, water quality improvement, resource recovery, or alternative energy. AB 405 Rubio [D]Sales and use taxes: exemption: water treatment. Would exempt from Sales and Use Tax the gross receipts from the sale in this state of, and the storage, use, or other consumption in this state of, chemicals used to treat water, recycled water, or wastewater regardless of whether those chemicals or other agents become a component part thereof and regardless of whether the treatment takes place before or after the delivery to consumers. Two Year Bill Watch Guiding Principles: Seek funds for OCSD projects through grants, appropriations, or other ACCOC - NYC LOCC - Watch CASA - Support ACWA - NYC CSDA - Support AB 510 Cooley [D]Local government records: destruction of records. Current law authorizes the head of a department of a county or city, or the head of a special district to destroy recordings of telephone and radio communications maintained by that county, city, or special district after 100 days if that person receives approval from the legislative body and the written consent of the agency attorney. This bill would exempt the head of a department of a county or city, or the head of a special district from these recording retention requirements if the county, city, or special district adopts a records retention policy governing recordings of routine video monitoring and recordings of telephone and radio communications. Two Year Bill Support Legislative and Regulatory Policies: Security - Support legislation that would create efficiencies around the retention policy of surveillance video for innocuous recordings. ACCOC - NYC LOCC - Watch CASA - NYC ACWA - NYC CSDA - Sponsor OCSD State Bills of Interest BILL AUTHOR SUMMARY LATEST ACTION OCSD POSITION LEGISLATIVE PLAN OTHER POSITIONS AB 587 Friedman [D]Accessory dwelling units: sale or separate conveyance Current property tax law establishes a welfare exemption under which property is exempt from taxation if the property is owned and operated by a nonprofit corporation that is organized and operated for the purpose of building and rehabilitating single-family or multifamily residences for sale, as provided, at cost to low-income families. This bill would authorize a local agency to allow, by ordinance, an accessory dwelling unit that was created pursuant to the process described above to be sold or conveyed separately from the primary residence to a qualified buyer if certain conditions are met. Signed into law Watch Legislative and Regulatory Policies: Special Districts - Oppose further state regulations that adversely impact special district financing, operations, and administration. ACCOC - NYC LOCC - Watch CASA - Work w/ author ACWA - NYC CSDA - Watch AB 756 Garcia [D]Public water systems: perfluoroalkyl substances and polyfluoroalkyl substances Would authorize the State Water Resources Control Board to order a public water system to monitor for perfluoroalkyl substances and polyfluoroalkyl substances. The bill would require a community water system or a nontransient noncommunity water system, upon a detection of these substances, to report that detection, as specified. The bill would require a community water system or a nontransient noncommunity water system where a detected level of these substances exceeds the response level to take a water source where the detected levels exceed the response level out of use or provide a prescribed public notification. Signed into law Watch Legislative and Regulatory Policies: Source Control - Support legislation and funding mechanisms that reduce the amount of trash, waste, chemicals, and harmful organic material that enter the sewer system. ACCOC - NYC LOCC - Watch CASA - Watch ACWA - Watch CSDA - Watch AB 841 Ting [D]Drinking water: contaminants: perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Would require the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment to adopt and complete a work plan within prescribed timeframes to assess which substances in the class of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances should be identified as a potential risk to human health, as provided. The bill would require the office, as part of those assessments, to determine which of the substances are appropriate candidates for notification levels to be adopted by the state board. The bill would require the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, by January 1, 2022, to provide to the Legislature an update on the assessment. Two Year Bill Watch Legislative and Regulatory Policies: Source Control - Support legislation and funding mechanisms that reduce the amount of trash, waste, chemicals, and harmful organic material that enter the sewer system. ACCOC - NYC LOCC - Watch CASA - Watch ACWA - Watch CSDA - Watch AB 992 Mullin [D]Open meetings: local agencies: social media Would provide that the Ralph M. Brown Act does not apply to the posting, commenting, liking, interaction with, or participation in, internet-based social media platforms that are ephemeral, live, or static, by a majority of the members of a legislative body, provided that a majority of the members do not discuss among themselves business of a specific nature that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the legislative body of the local agency. Two Year Bill Watch Legislative and Regulatory Policies: Special Districts - Oppose further state regulations that adversely impact special district financing, operations, and administration. ACCOC - NYC LOCC - Watch CASA - Approve ACWA - NYC CSDA - Support OCSD State Bills of Interest BILL AUTHOR SUMMARY LATEST ACTION OCSD POSITION LEGISLATIVE PLAN OTHER POSITIONS AB 1080 Gonzalez [D]California Circular Economy and Plastic Pollution Reduction Act Would establish the California Circular Economy and Plastic Pollution Reduction Act, which would require the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery, in consultation with the State Water Resources Control Board and the Ocean Protection Council, to adopt, on or before January 1, 2023, regulations to achieve, by 2030, a 75% reduction by manufacturers and retailers of the waste generated from single-use packaging and products offered for sale or sold in the state through source reduction, recycling, or composting. Two Year Bill Watch State Priorities: Support legislation or regulations that restrict the use of microplastics in any product that is disposed of through ACCOC - NYC LOCC - Support CASA - NYC ACWA - NYC CSDA - NYC AB 1180 Friedman [D]Water: recycled water The California Safe Drinking Water Act requires the State Water Resources Control Board to administer provisions relating to the regulation of drinking water to protect public health. Current law requires, on or before January 1, 2020, the state board to adopt standards for backflow protection and cross-connection control through the adoption of a policy handbook, as specified. This bill would require that handbook to include provisions for the use of a swivel or changeover device to supply potable water to a dual-plumbed system during an interruption in recycled water service. Signed into law Watch Legislative and Regulatory Policies: Recycled Water - support measures that promote and provide for the use of reclaimed water. ACCOC - NYC LOCC - Watch CASA - Support ACWA - NYC CSDA - Support AB 1184 Gloria [D]Public records: writing transmitted by electronic mail: retention Would, unless a longer retention period is required by statute or regulation, require a public agency for purposes of the California Public Records Act to retain and preserve for at least 2 years every writing containing information relating to the conduct of the public’s business prepared, owned, or used by any public agency that is transmitted by electronic mail. Vetoed Watch Legislative and Regulatory Policies: Special Districts - Oppose further state regulations that adversely impact special district financing, operations, and administration. ACCOC - NYC LOCC - Oppose CASA - Watch ACWA - NYC CSDA - Oppose AB 1588 Gloria [D]Drinking water and wastewater operator certification programs Current law requires a person who operates a nonexempt wastewater treatment plant to possess a valid, unexpired wastewater certificate or water treatment operator certificate of the appropriate grade. This bill, when applying for certification by the board as a water treatment operator, distribution system operator, or wastewater operator, would require operators of complex industrial facilities, including members of the military and military service veterans, to receive appropriate equivalent experience credit and education credit for work and tasks performed that are directly related to the operation of water or wastewater facilities, as specified. Signed into law Watch Legislative and Regulatory Policies: Special Districts - Oppose further state regulations that adversely impact special district financing, operations, and administration. ACCOC - NYC LOCC - Watch CASA - Support ACWA - NYC CSDA - Support OCSD State Bills of Interest BILL AUTHOR SUMMARY LATEST ACTION OCSD POSITION LEGISLATIVE PLAN OTHER POSITIONS AB 1672 Bloom [D]Solid waste: flushable products The California Integrated Waste Management Act of 1989, administered by the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery, generally regulates the disposal, management, and recycling of solid waste. This bill would, among other things, on or after January 1, 2021, prohibit a covered entity, as defined, from labeling a covered product as safe to flush, safe for sewer systems, or safe for septic systems, unless the product is a flushable wipe that meets certain performance standards. The bill would require nonflushable products to be labeled clearly and conspicuously to communicate that they should not be flushed, as specified. Two Year Bill Support Legislative and Regulatory Policies: Source Control - Support legislation that regulates the disposal of flushable wipes. ACCOC - NYC LOCC - Watch CASA - Sponsor ACWA - Support CSDA - Support ACA 1 Aguiar-Curry [D]Local government financing: affordable housing and public infrastructure: voter approval. The California Constitution prohibits the ad valorem tax rate on real property from exceeding 1% of the full cash value of the property, subject to certain exceptions. This measure would create an additional exception to the 1% limit that would authorize a city, county, city and county, or special district to levy an ad valorem tax to service bonded indebtedness incurred to fund the construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, or replacement of public infrastructure, affordable housing, or permanent supportive housing, or the acquisition or lease of real property for those purposes, if the proposition proposing that tax is approved by 55% of the voters of the city, county, or city and county, as applicable, and the proposition includes specified accountability requirements. Currently on the Assembly Floor Watch Guiding Principles: Seek funds for OCSD projects through grants, appropriations, or other means; ACCOC - NYC LOCC - Support CASA - Support ACWA - NYC CSDA - Support SB 1 Atkins [D]California Environmental, Public Health, and Workers Defense Act of 2019. This bill seeks to freeze federal Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, Endangered Species Act, Fair Labor Standards Act, Occupational Safety and Health Act and Coal Mine Health and Safety Act requirements to those in place as of January 19, 2017. SB 1 refers to federal requirements existing as of this date, as “baseline federal standards.” SB 1 is intended to “ensure continued protections for the environment, natural resources, and public health and safety” in California, even if the noted federal laws are “undermined, amended or repealed” by making the baseline environmental standards the new floor for environmental and worker protections in California Vetoed Watch Legislative and Regulatory Policies: Public Health: Protection of public health is OCSD’s core mission. OCSD will work cooperatively with county and state health officers to assure local health protection. ACCOC - NYC LOCC - Watch CASA - NYC ACWA - Oppose CSDA - NYC OCSD State Bills of Interest BILL AUTHOR SUMMARY LATEST ACTION OCSD POSITION LEGISLATIVE PLAN OTHER POSITIONS SB 5 Beall [D]Local-State Sustainable Investment Incentive Program Would establish in state government the Affordable Housing and Community Development Investment Program, which would be administered by the Affordable Housing and Community Development Investment Committee. The bill would authorize a city, county, city and county, joint powers agency, enhanced infrastructure financing district, affordable housing authority, community revitalization and investment authority, transit village development district, or a combination of those entities, to apply to the Affordable Housing and Community Development Investment Committee to participate in the program and would authorize the committee to approve or deny plans for projects meeting specific criteria. Vetoed Watch State Priorities: Continue to monitor the state budget process and actively protect the allocation of local property taxes to special districts. ACCOC - NYC LOCC - Support CASA - Watch ACWA - NYC CSDA - Watch SB 13 Weickowski [D]Accessory dwelling units Would authorize the creation of accessory dwelling units in areas zoned to allow single-family or multifamily dwelling use. The bill would also revise the requirements for an accessory dwelling unit by providing that the accessory dwelling unit may be attached to, or located within, an attached garage, storage area, or other structure, and that it does not exceed a specified amount of total floor area. Bill was amended to remove the cap on capacity and connection fees that agencies can charge new ADUs. Signed into law Watch Legislative and Regulatory Policies: Special Districts - Oppose further state regulations that adversely impact special district financing, operations, and administration. ACCOC - NYC LOCC - Oppose unless amended CASA - Work w/ author ACWA - NYC CSDA - Oppose SB 33 Skinner Solid waste: reduction and recycling. The California Integrated Waste Management Act of 1989, administered by the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery, generally regulates the disposal, management, and recycling of solid waste.This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would address the collapse of foreign recycling markets by reducing solid waste generation, encouraging transition to compostable or recyclable materials, and fostering domestic recycling markets. Two Year Bill Watch Legislative and Regulatory Policies: Biosolids and Biogas - Limit redundant reporting requirements on organics, recyclable material, and solid waste as mandated by AB 901. ACCOC - NYC LOCC - Watch CASA - NYC ACWA - NYC CSDA - Watch OCSD State Bills of Interest BILL AUTHOR SUMMARY LATEST ACTION OCSD POSITION LEGISLATIVE PLAN OTHER POSITIONS SB 134 Hertzberg [D]Water conservation: water loss performance standards: enforcement. Current law requires the State Water Resources Control Board, no earlier than January 1, 2019, and no later than July 1, 2020, to adopt rules requiring urban retail water suppliers to meet performance standards for the volume of water losses. This bill would prohibit the board from issuing an information order, written notice, or conservation order to an urban retail water supplier that does not meet its urban water use objective if the board determines the urban retail water supplier is not meeting its urban water use objective solely because the volume of water loss exceeds the urban retail water supplier’s standard for water loss and the board is taking enforcement action against the urban retail water supplier for not meeting the performance standards for the volume of water losses. Signed into law Watch Legislative and Regulatory Policies: Water Supply - Support legislation and regulation that necessitate the responsible use of water in residential, commercial, and industrial areas ACCOC - NYC LOCC - Watch CASA - NYC ACWA - NYC CSDA - Support SB 200 Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Fund. Would establish the Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Fund in the State Treasury to help water systems provide an adequate and affordable supply of safe drinking water in both the near and the long term. The bill would authorize the board to provide for the deposit into the fund of federal contributions, voluntary contributions, gifts, grants, and bequests and would provide that moneys in the fund are available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to the board to fund grants, loans, contracts, or services to assist eligible recipients. Signed into law Watch State Tactics: Support tax reform that protects public agencies ACCOC - NYC LOCC - Watch CASA - NYC ACWA - NYC CSDA - Watch SB 210 Leyva [D]Heavy-Duty Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance Program. Current law requires the State Air Resources Board, in consultation with the Bureau of Automotive Repair and a specified review committee, to adopt regulations requiring owners or operators of heavy-duty diesel motor vehicles to perform regular inspections of their vehicles for excessive emissions of smoke. Current law requires the state board, in consultation with the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission, to adopt regulations requiring heavy-duty diesel motor vehicles to use emission control equipment and alternative fuels. This bill would require the state board, in consultation with the bureau and other specified entities, to implement a pilot program that develops and demonstrates technologies that show potential for readily bringing heavy- duty vehicles into an inspection and maintenance program. Signed into law Recommen d Oppose Legislative and Regulatory Policies: Air Quality - Support measures that maintain and enhance local decision-making authority, where appropriate, in the development and implementation of air quality attainment strategies ACCOC - NYC LOCC - Watch CASA - Watch ACWA - Watch CSDA - Watch OCSD State Bills of Interest BILL AUTHOR SUMMARY LATEST ACTION OCSD POSITION LEGISLATIVE PLAN OTHER POSITIONS SB 332 Hertzberg [D]Wastewater treatment: recycled water. Would declare, except in compliance with the bill’s provisions, that the discharge of treated wastewater from ocean outfalls is a waste and unreasonable use of water. The bill would require each wastewater treatment facility that discharges through an ocean outfall and affiliated water suppliers to reduce the facility’s annual flow as compared to the average annual wastewater discharge baseline volume, as prescribed, by at least 50% on or before January 1, 2030, and by at least 95% on or before January 1, 2040. The bill would subject the owner or operator of a wastewater treatment facility, as well as the affiliated water suppliers, to a civil penalty of $2,000 per acre-foot of water above the required reduction in overall volume discharge for the failure to meet these deadlines. Two Year Bill Watch State Legislation: Work with legislators who introduced legislation such as SB 163 (Hertzberg, 2015) in order to ensure that no unrealistic regulations are placed on wastewater treatment facilities, including OCSD ACCOC - NYC LOCC - Oppose CASA - Oppose ACWA - NYC CSDA - Oppose SB 457 Hueso [D]Biomethane: gas corporations Under existing law, the Public Utilities Commission has regulatory authority over public utilities, including gas corporations. Existing law authorizes the commission to fix the rates and charges for every public utility and requires that those rates and charges be just and reasonable. Existing law requires the commission to adopt policies and programs that promote the in-state production and distribution of biomethane, as defined, and that facilitate the development of a variety of sources of in-state biomethane. This bill would require the Public Utilites Commission to extend the program until December 31, 2026. This bill contains other related provisions and other existing laws. Signed into law Watch Legislative and Regulatory Polciies: Biosolids and Biogas - Support streamlined legislation, regulations and policies that encourage the procurement of biogas, biosolids, and compost. ACCOC - NYC LOCC - Watch CASA - Refer to Committee ACWA - NYC CSDA - NYC SB 667 Hueso [D]Greenhouse gases: recycling infrastructure and facilities. Would require the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery to develop, on or before January 1, 2021, and would authorize the department to amend, a 5-year investment strategy to drive innovation and support technological development and infrastructure, in order to meet specified organic waste reduction and recycling targets, as provided. The bill would require, on or before June 1, 2021, the department, in coordination with the Treasurer, to develop financial incentive mechanisms, including, but not limited to, loans and incentive payments, to fund organic waste diversion and recycling infrastructure. Two Year Bill Watch Legislative and Regulatory Polciies: Biosolids and Biogas - Support the promotion and funding of local pilot programs, studies, and research for the beneficial use of biosolids. ACCOC - NYC LOCC - Support CASA - Support ACWA - NYC CSDA - NYC OCSD State Bills of Interest BILL AUTHOR SUMMARY LATEST ACTION OCSD POSITION LEGISLATIVE PLAN OTHER POSITIONS SB 732 Allen [D]Transactions and use tax. Current law establishes the South Coast Air Quality Management District vested with the authority to regulate air emissions from stationary sources located in the South Coast Air Basin and establishes a district board to govern the district. This bill would authorize the south coast district board to impose a transactions and use tax within the boundaries of the south coast district, as specified, with the moneys generated from the transactions and use tax to be used to supplement existing revenues being used for south coast district purposes, as specified. Two Year Bill Watch Legislative and Regulatory Polciies: Air Quality - Support air quality legislations, regulations, rules, and policies that emphasize the use of advanced technologies and promote greater flexibility and financial incentives to reduce air emission. ACCOC - NYC LOCC - Watch CASA - NYC ACWA - NYC CSDA - No position Legend: ACC-OC - Association of California Cities, Orange County LOCC - League of California Cities NYC - Not Yet Considered CASA - California Association of Sanitation Agencies ACWA - Association of California Water Agencies CSDA - California Special Districts Association Name of Grant/Loan Synopsis of Grant/Loan Amount of Grant/Loan Amount Applying for Applying Y/N Project/Program Reason Match Deadline Category Rcvd Grant/ Financing Y/N Organics Grant Program The Organics Grant Program is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide program that puts billions of cap- and-trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment - particularly in disadvantaged and/or low-income communities. The Cap- and-Trade program also creates a financial incentive for industries to invest in clean technologies and develop innovative ways to reduce pollution. California Climate Investments projects include affordable housing, renewable energy, public transportation, zero-emission vehicles, environmental restoration, more sustainable agriculture, recycling, and much more. At least 35 percent of these investments are made in disadvantaged and low- income communities. $16,112,753 ($13,312,753 is available for fiscal year (FY) 2018–19, and $3 million is available for fiscal year (FY) 2019–20) TBD Yes if we qualify. Food-Waste Co-Digestion facility at Plant No.2 in Huntington Beach to accept up to 150 wet tons per day (wtpd) of pre-processed source separated organics. We will review the possible funding opportunity to determine if it is a fit for the Sanitation District. TBD 11/21/2019 Energy/Recycling TBD Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) Grant Program The Proposition 1 IRWM Grant Program, administered by DWR, provides funding for projects that help meet the long term water needs of the state, including: Assisting water infrastructure systems adapt to climate change; Providing incentives throughout each watershed to collaborate in managing the region's water resources and setting regional priorities for water infrastructure $3,000,000.00 per grant award NA TBD (Round 2)NA TPA and OCSD are monitoring the grant program development from the Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority (SAWPA). The solicitation for bids was announced by SAWPA and staff determined that an application for funding was not warranted due to a lack of eligible and competitive projects. 50%NA. Will return in 2021 for Round 2 Water No The Water Infrastructure Improvements Act (WIIN) The Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse Projects funding opportunity allows for sponsors of water reclamation and reuse projects that are congressionally authorized or are eligible under section 4009(c) of the WIIN Act to request cost-shared funding for planning, design and/or construction of those Projects. Water reclamation and reuse projects provide improved efficiency, flexibility during water shortages and diversifies the water supply. Reclamation is making up to $20 million available for those projects authorized under the WIIN Act and $34 million for the congressionally authorized Title XVI projects. $550,000 Yes Final Expansion of GWRS Headworks (P2-122) The Sanitation District is applying for Headworks Segregation project that will help to bring more water to the GWRS. Title 16 will pay up to 25 percent of the available money 7/27/2018 Water/ Infrastructure No The Water Infrastructure Improvements Act (WIIN) The Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse Projects funding opportunity allows for sponsors of water reclamation and reuse projects that are congressionally authorized or are eligible under section 4009(c) of the WIIN Act to request cost-shared funding for planning, design and/or construction of those Projects. Water reclamation and reuse projects provide improved efficiency, flexibility during water shortages and diversifies the water supply. Reclamation is making up to $20 million available for those projects authorized under the WIIN Act. $3 million Yes Final Expansion of GWRS Headworks (P2-122) The Sanitation District applied for Headworks Segregation project that will help to bring more water to the GWRS. Title 16 will pay up to 25 percent of the available money 6/28/2019 Water/ Infrastructure TBD Stormwater and CSO Grant Program USEPA is authorized to provide grants assistance of public agencies to control stormwater flows and CSO's Funding cost-share is not identified in the law TBD TBD. We will monitor for possible funding opportunities/A TBD Funding must be appropriated as part of current FY 2019 budget impasse TBD TBD Water/ Infrastructure TBD OCSD's Grant and Loan Funding Tracker 2018-2019 STATE FEDERAL Updated 10/14/2019 Name of Grant/Loan Synopsis of Grant/Loan Amount of Grant/Loan Amount Applying for Applying Y/N Project/Program Reason Match Deadline Category Rcvd Grant/ Financing Y/N OCSD's Grant and Loan Funding Tracker 2018-2019 The Department of Energy (DOE), USBR and USEPA The DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency is likely to continue to be funded by Congress to support such efforts as biogas, biosolids and green energy. A minimum of $20 million to as much as $100 million based upon prior years’ budgets. USBR could receive as much as $130 million in support of the WaterSmart (due to increased funding under WIIN) during the next several years. USBR will issue solicitations for innovative approaches to managing water and water treatment through technology and processes. TBD TBD. We will monitor for possible funding opportunities Project Funding Opportunity: Energy production to reduce costs of recycled water through innovative technologies like Aquacritox, Innovative water monitoring technology that can produce efficient real time monitoring and data analysis, Biogas Management and Use Improvements. We will review the possible funding opportunity to determine if it is a fit for the Sanitation District. N/A TBD Energy TBD Community Partnering Program Grant Metropolitan Water District The primary focus of the Community Partnering Program (CPP) is sponsorship of water conservation and water-use efficiency programs and activities. Applications must be submitted 30 days prior to the start date of the event or program. Requests for a maximum $2,000 award will be reviewed year-round and funds are awarded throughout the year. Funds are limited, however, and may be depleted prior to the ending of this fiscal year (June 30). $2,000 Yes For Plant No. 1 Signage Applied Match ongoing Education Yes Mass Timber Competition CalGovOps The California Government Operations Agency (GovOps) will award $500,000 in grants as part of the statewide California Mass Timber Building Competition. Grants will be awarded to selected proponent teams presenting viable and repeatable mass timber solutions for commercial and multi-family projects in California. The competition is being hosted by GovOps and administered by WoodWorks – Wood Products Council. $40,000 Yes Headquarters Building Applied No 03/18/19 Environment Yes Other Updated 10/14/2019 November 21, 2019 The Honorable Alan Lowenthal United States House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20510 The Honorable Tom Udall United States Senate Washington, D.C. 20510 Dear Senator Udall and Representative Lowenthal: On behalf of the undersigned coalition of public agencies providing wastewater, water recycling and biosolids management services in California, we write to convey our support for your landmark legislation relating to plastic pollution. Our coalition is especially supportive of the inclusion of provisions in the legislative discussion draft related to the proper labeling of wet wipes products sold in the United States. Wet wipes products made with plastics or other synthetic materials pose a great risk to our communities’ clean water infrastructure, public health, and the environment. There are currently no statutory requirements for wet wipes products to be labeled with information about their intended disposal, and many wet wipes that are supposed to go into the trash end up being flushed and contribute to system problems and microplastic pollution. Compounding the problem is the increasing popularity of “flushable” wipes, which look and feel the same as other wipes and create consumer confusion about how to properly dispose of the products intended to be disposed of in the trash. When wet wipes enter the municipal sewer systems, they commonly rope together and congeal with fats, oils, and grease and other obstructions in the sewer, leading to costly maintenance issues and causing sanitary sewer overflows in private residences, businesses, and our communities. Since over 90% of wet wipes contain plastic fibers, when they are flushed, those fibers shed and can be discharged to waterways in wastewater effluent. Information gathered by the State of California indicates that in the last decade, the number of sewer spills have decreased by over 55%; however, the percentage of sewer spills related to wet wipes have increased 35% in the same time. In fact, the improper disposal of wet wipes in sewers over this same time period has resulted in over 1.2 sewer spills per week for which public agencies could have been liable for $350 million in fines for such violations. As such, this addition in your legislation is important to our coalition, and we support its inclusion. CC: Jessica Gauger, Director of Legislative Advocacy, California Association of Sanitation Agencies Eric Sapirstein, Federal Advocate, California Association of Sanitation Agencies Kristina Surfus, Director of Legislative Affairs, National Association of Clean Water Agencies With regard to input on the bill language, we have two comments: (1) we support modifying § 12304(d) such that this bill would expressly utilize the performance standards for flushability developed by the International Water Services Flushability Group, which include a prohibition of plastics, amongst other vital criteria, and (2) we affirm your recognition and prohibition of synthetic materials and fibers such as regenerated cellulose, as these materials are not natural, significantly reduce a wet wipe’s ability to disintegrate, and do not biodegrade in the environment in a short period of time thus making them functionally equivalent to microplastics. For these reasons, our coalition appreciates your initiative to introduce federal legislation on this important topic and look forward to working with you as the legislation progresses. Sincerely, Paul D. Jones II, P.E. General Manager Eastern Municipal Water District Dave Pedersen, General Manager/Administering Agent Las Virgenes – Triunfo Joint Powers Authority Daniel McIntyre General Manager Dublin San Ramon Services District Roger Bailey General Manager Central Contra Costa Sanitary District James D. Herberg General Manager Orange County Sanitation District Vince DeLange General Manager Delta Diablo Sanitary District Dave Williams Executive Director Bay Area Clean Water Agencies Rick Shintaku, P.E. General Manager South Coast Water District Steve Wagner General Manager Goleta Sanitary District Tyson Zimmerman Assistant General Manager Ironhouse Sanitary District Paul Bushee General Manager Leucadia Wastewater District Harlan L. Kelly, Jr. General Manager San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Kevin Kildee Mayor City of Camarillo Paul R. Eldredge, P.E. General Manager Union Sanitary District Shivaji Deshmukh, P.E. General Manager Inland Empire Utilities Agency Daniel L. Walters President Oro Loma Sanitary District Orange County Sanitation District LEGISLATIVE AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE Agenda Report Administration Building 10844 Ellis Avenue Fountain Valley, CA 92708 (714) 593-7433 File #:2019-782 Agenda Date:12/9/2019 Agenda Item No:4. FROM:James D. Herberg, General Manager SUBJECT: 2020 LEGISLATIVE/REGULATORY PLAN GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION RECOMMENDATION: Approve the Orange County Sanitation District 2020 Legislative and Regulatory Plan. BACKGROUND Each year,the Board of Directors adopts a legislative and regulatory plan which is a summary of the Orange County Sanitation District’s (Sanitation District)legislative goals,key issues,and policy positions.The legislative and regulatory policies in this document were developed taking into consideration the Sanitation District’s priorities,the wastewater industry,and the Sanitation District’s member agencies and policy needs. These Board-approved policies serve as the Sanitation District’s official positions of support or opposition on issues of importance to the agency.The legislative and regulatory plan is a dynamic document,adopted annually,and is modified to meet the needs of the Sanitation District as Federal, State, and local policymaking agendas change throughout the year. RELEVANT STANDARDS ·Maintain influential legislative advocacy and a public outreach program ·Build brand, trust, and support with policy makers and community leaders ·Maintain collaborative and cooperative relationships with regulators,stakeholders,and neighboring communities ·Listen to and seriously consider community input on environmental concerns ·Use all practical and effective means for resource recovery PROBLEM Local and Federal legislation and regulations can have significant impacts on the Sanitation District’s ability to accomplish our mission.Impacts from legislative action can affect the Sanitation District and our customers either positively or negatively.Also,the Sanitation District and other public agencies are sometimes precluded from pursuing innovations and solutions to problems without new legislation or changes to existing laws and regulations. Orange County Sanitation District Printed on 11/27/2019Page 1 of 2 powered by Legistar™ File #:2019-782 Agenda Date:12/9/2019 Agenda Item No:4. PROPOSED SOLUTION The 2020 Legislative and Regulatory Plan,which will be brought to the Board for approval in December,includes our platform and approach to engaging with Federal,State,and local governments to inform and advocate for the Sanitation District’s legislative interests.This program includes sponsoring and monitoring legislation and grants that would benefit the Sanitation District’s customers and the wastewater industry,in addition to advancing our mission.The program also includes relationship building activities and outreach to our elected officials by providing facility tours, one-on-one meetings, and trips to D.C. and Sacramento. TIMING CONCERNS The 2020 Legislative and Regulatory Plan is scheduled to go to the Board in December for approval and adoption.It is important that the plan be reviewed and approved by the Legislative and Public Affairs Committee in December, prior to the final version that will be submitted to the Board. RAMIFICATIONS OF NOT TAKING ACTION If we do not effectively work with the local,State,and Federal elected officials,legislation could be passed that negatively affects the Sanitation District and the wastewater industry as a whole. Additionally, the Sanitation District could miss out on grant funding opportunities. ATTACHMENT The following attachment(s)are included in hard copy and may also be viewed on-line at the OCSD website (www.ocsd.com) with the complete agenda package: ·Orange County Sanitation District 2020 Legislative and Regulatory Plan Orange County Sanitation District Printed on 11/27/2019Page 2 of 2 powered by Legistar™ ORANGE COUNTY SANITATION DISTRICT 2020 Legislative and Regulatory Plan Orange County Sanitation District 2020 Legislative & Regulatory Plan 2 January 2020 Legislative & Regulatory Affairs Team OCSD Staff Rebecca Long Senior Public Affairs Specialist (714) 593-7444 rlong@ocsd.com Jennifer Cabral Administration Manager (714) 593-7581 jcabral@ocsd.com Jim Herberg General Manager (714) 593-7110 jherberg@ocsd.com Federal Lobbying Team Eric Sapirstein ENS Resources (202) 466-3755 esap@ensresources.com Sarah Sapirstein ENS Resources (202) 466-3755 ssap@ensresources.com David French ENS Resources (202) 466-3755 dfrench@ensresources.com State Lobbying Team Cori Takkinen Townsend Public Affairs (949) 399-9050 ctakkinen@TownsendPA.com Eric O’Donnell Townsend Public Affairs (949) 399-9050 eodonnell@TownsendPA.com Christopher Townsend Townsend Public Affairs (949) 399-9050 ctownsend@TownsendPA.com Regulatory Advocacy Team Tom Meregillano, Senior Regulatory Specialist (714) 593-7457 tmeregillano@ocsd.com Lan Wiborg, Director of Environmental Services (714) 593-7450 lwiborg@ocsd.com Legislative Public Affairs Committee Peter Kim, Chair Chair Allan Bernstein Vice-Chair Lucille Kring Member-At-Large Erik Peterson Member-At-Large Christina Shea Member-At-Large David Shawver Board Chair John Withers Board Vice-Chair Orange County Sanitation District 2020 Legislative & Regulatory Plan 3 January 2020 Introduction The Orange County Sanitation District (OCSD) recognizes the need for an active local, state and federal legislative and regulatory advocacy program to ensure that the interests of the ratepayers and the Board of Directors (Board) are protected and supported. Towards that end, the legislative and regulatory team actively engages, pursues, and monitors activities in California and Washington, D.C. and takes appropriate action in support of or opposition to legislative and regulatory initiatives. Each year, the Board of Directors adopts a legislative and regulatory plan, which is a summary of OCSD’s goals, key issues, and policy positions. The legislative and regulatory policies in this document were developed taking into consideration OCSD’s priorities, the wastewater industry, and OCSD’s member agencies and policy needs. These Board-approved policies serve as OCSD’s official positions of support or opposition on issues of importance to the agency. The legislative and regulatory plan is a dynamic document, adopted annually and is modified to meet the needs of OCSD as federal, state, and local policymaking agendas change throughout the year. The legislative and regulatory team, in conjunction with the Board, may take appropriate action consistent with the legislative and regulatory plan, including, but not limited to, drafting letters, lobbying legislators, regulators, and staff, and crafting bills and proposing legislation and regulations. Procedure for Taking Positions 1. Staff will track bills and proposed regulations of greatest interest to OCSD, particularly those that fall within the goals and objectives identified by the Board and included in this plan. Staff will monitor bills and proposed regulations being watched by similar agencies in Orange County (Irvine Ranch Water District, South Orange County Water Authority, Orange County Water District, Municipal Water District of Orange County, etc.) as well as state, federal and national associations such as California Association of Sanitation Agencies (CASA), Southern California Alliance of Publicly Owned Treatment Works (SCAP), California Special Districts Association (CSDA), Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA), Association of California Cities Orange County (ACC-OC), League of California Cities (LOCC), and National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA). 2. For those bills and proposed regulations that are being tracked and where there is clear policy direction stated in the Board-adopted legislative and regulatory plan or adopted goals, Public Affairs and Regulatory staff can send letters to legislators and regulators and give direction to the lobbyists to advocate that position. 3. Where an issue is not urgent, all legislative letters will be hand-signed by the Board Chair or Vice Chair. If a matter is urgent, staff may use the electronic signature, so long as a clear policy direction exists and the General Manager or Designee approves the letter. 4. When a bill does not fall within the scope of the legislative and regulatory plan or is a controversial issue, staff will seek direction from the Legislative and Public Affairs Committee. 5. If a bill does not fall within the scope of the legislative plan, but the Association of California Cities Orange County (ACCOC), California Association of Sanitation Agencies (CASA), the California Special Districts Association (CSDA) or the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) has an adopted position, staff may follow this position but must inform the Legislative and Public Affairs Committee of such action at the next regularly scheduled meeting. Orange County Sanitation District 2020 Legislative & Regulatory Plan 4 January 2020 Guiding Priorities • Seek funds for OCSD projects through grants, appropriations, or other means; • Maintain local control over governance of special districts and other local entities; • Oppose redundant regulatory and legislative requirements that cause undue constraints on efficient operations; • Support legislative regulatory streamlining that promotes public health and the environment. Federal Priorities • Advocate for robust federal water infrastructure funding including State Revolving Fund and the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act including water infrastructure provisions. Additionally, federal support in the form of assistance for disadvantaged communities should be provided. • Identify and work to secure general and direct federal grants assistance, Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation (WIFIA) Act assistance, green infrastructure, renewable energy, and water and organic management recycling project assistance. • Work with Congress and United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to advance implementation of the WaterSense Program to increase the use of energy and water use efficient technologies at OCSD while protecting against treatment cost increases related to program rulemaking. • Monitor federal agency grants for funding of traditional wastewater treatment needs, alternative renewable energy, bioenergy, water recycling, biosolids beneficial use, and beach protection. • Work with Administration and Congress to advance commonsense permitting processes including ten-year National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits and programmatic permits issued by United States EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to promote reduced costs to ratepayers. Any authority to issue efficient permitting solutions should not impose new requirements or burdens on permittees. • Work with Congress to address concerns stemming from Mobile Persistent Bioaccumulative Toxic substances (MPBTs) for example: Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFAS). Support federal assistance, including grants to local agencies to support clean-up costs. • Provide that any funding regime be derived from the manufacturers of PFAS/PFOA chemicals to provide federal grants and low-interest loans to agencies impacted. • Oppose designation of PFAS as a hazardous waste under Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). • Clarify that if PFAS is defined as a hazardous waste under CERCLA that water and wastewater agencies are not subject to any liability clean-up costs, if such agencies are not actively involved in the production of the chemicals and are simply receivers of such chemicals due to the discharge of wastewaters from industry and domestic sewage. • Work with OCSD’s congressional delegation and administration officials to advance resiliency including seismic and infrastructure policies that promote the funding of OCSD’s water recycling and other conservation projects. Seek to secure adequate funding of programs authorized in drought relief legislation to facilitate funding of OCSD’s project priorities. • Support legislation, policies and regulations that offer to provide below market bonding rate assistance to construct treatment facilities, including credit assistance and infrastructure banks. Focus should be on energy recovery technologies, core infrastructure assistance related wastewater treatment, funding of final stage of water recycling needs, and related demonstration of evolving technologies to address brine line needs. • Support legislation to label wipes as non-flushable/non-dispersible. Orange County Sanitation District 2020 Legislative & Regulatory Plan 5 January 2020 • During the fiscal year 2021 appropriations, identify opportunities to secure federal support of OCSD’s capital project needs as part of any budget decision making process for the coming fiscal year. • Promote restoration of federal deductibility of state and local tax payments and oppose elimination or restriction on the use or availability of tax-exempt financing for public infrastructure. • Support at least $3 billion in annual federal appropriations for the Clean Water Act State Revolving Fund (CWSRF). Work with Congress and the United States Environmental Protection Agency to streamline the Clean Water Act permitting processes. Provide assurances that CWSRF appropriations are not transferred to State Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) needs. • Support legislation to revise the SRF allocation formula to allow for appropriate and fair share of funding to California consistent with United States EPA study (20% increase in share). • Support removal of private activity Bond State Volume Cap on water and wastewater facilities to allow for innovative financing options such as public private partnerships. • Work with the EPA on emerging regulatory issues of concern including integrated plans, method development, monitoring effluent limitations and guidelines, and compounds of emerging concern including but not limited to PFAS and microplastics. • OCSD will continue to advocate for federal policies that minimize regulatory burdens imposed upon communities and public agencies that seek to adopt programs for the giveback of pharmaceuticals that will result in the reduction of disposal of pharmaceuticals through wastewater treatment facilities. Additionally, OCSD will advocate for federal funding of programs currently authorized that support the development of pharmaceutical management programs including education. • Support development of infrastructure policies and legislation that will close funding gaps and encourage direct grants assistance in support of projects and programs addressing resiliency needs that protect OCSD investments from natural disasters. • Work with U.S. Department of Energy and EPA to identify and support efforts to secure funding assistance for OCSD energy-water nexus project demonstrations. • Oppose EPA’s reform to change the cellulosic biofuel value of the co-digestion of organics, which will lower Renewable Identification Number (RIN) credit. State Priorities • Secure funding through grants and legislation for infrastructure, collection improvements and alternative renewable energy at the Fountain Valley, Plant No. 1 and Huntington Beach, Plant No. 2. • Promote a regional distribution/statewide equity approach to the disbursement of State Revolving Fund monies. • Oppose legislation or any regulations that would mandate volumetric pricing of wastewater. • Continue to monitor the state budget process and actively protect the allocation of local property taxes to special districts. • Monitor state legislation as well as State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) regulatory activity related to PFAS. • Work with legislators to address concerns stemming from Mobile Persistent Bioaccumulative Toxic substances (MPBTs) for example PFAS. Support funding opportunities for clean-up costs from the manufacturers of PFAS and through state grants and low-interest loans. Orange County Sanitation District 2020 Legislative & Regulatory Plan 6 January 2020 • Work with legislators who introduced legislation such as SB 163 (Hertzberg, 2015) and SB 332 (Hertzberg, 2019) to ensure that no unrealistic, one size fits all, regulations are placed on wastewater treatment facilities requirements for discharging, including OCSD. • Oppose state mandates, regulations, or legislation such as AB 1217 (Daly, 2015) that set, alter, or otherwise modify the governance structure of special districts, joint powers authorities, or other local government entities. • Support efforts to competitively seek funding for projects that meet the State’s goals of expanded water supply and energy reduction. • Where appropriate, pursue State funding for critical aging infrastructure, through funding sources made available through any agency including but not limited to the SWRCB and the Department of Water Resources. • Support and participate in Integrated Regional Water Management planning efforts in the Santa Ana River watershed. • Oppose restrictive and redundant regulatory requirements for biosolids. • Support the creation of a Statewide Organics Management Plan that includes the beneficial use of biosolids, education, market expansion activities, and mandates to buy-back compost and other organics diverted from landfills. • Support funding through grants and legislation for a Food Waste/Organic Co-Digestion facility at OCSD. • Monitor pension reform legislation for clean-up bills and relevant proposed regulations. • Support the State’s efforts to increase the effectiveness and efficiencies of Local Agency Formation Commissions. • Support efforts to reform the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) to streamline current procedures and regulations for projects to refurbish or replace existing infrastructure facilities. • Actively monitor the Little Hoover Commission hearings and reports related to climate change adaptation, special districts and other topics as it relates to OCSD. • Support the inclusion of recycled water credits during the development of long-term water conservation legislation and regulations. • Support legislation or regulations that restrict the use of microplastics and chemicals of emerging concern in any product that is disposed of through the sewer system. • Support legislation, such as AB 1672 (Bloom), or regulations that discourage the flushing of wipes through the sewer system, unless they meet certain performance standards. Orange County Sanitation District 2020 Legislative & Regulatory Plan 7 January 2020 Appendix a. Federal Tactics b. State Tactics c. Legislative and Regulatory Policies Federal Tactics Initiative Action 1. Identify and advise on federal funding opportunities for OCSD infrastructure projects • Schedule meetings with federal agency stakeholders and senior officials in Washington D.C. and district offices to build support for OCSD priority projects; • Work with congressional delegation to update priority needs; and • Develop white papers to justify requested assistance through direct grants. 2. Seek funding assistance to advance recovery of energy and other resources from biosolids and other organics such as food waste • Meet with federal agency officials to discuss funding opportunities and options related to the energy water nexus; and • Work with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and other agencies to advance energy and water efficient technologies related to WaterSense grant program. 3. Seek Infrastructure assistance A. Robust funding of State Revolving Fund (SRF) and revise SRF Allocation Formula B. Innovative Financing C. Project Streamlining • Meet with congressional delegation; • Develop priorities and disseminate to OCSD congressional delegation; • Advocate before congressional infrastructure committees and applicable Executive Branch officials to secure adoption of alternative water infrastructure financing including credit, loans, public-private-partnerships and grants in addition to direct grants assistance; • Work to secure legislation and policies that expedite the National Environmental Policy Act and related reviews and approvals; and Appendices Appendix A Orange County Sanitation District 2020 Legislative & Regulatory Plan 8 January 2020 • Work with Congress and U.S. Bureau of Reclamation on proposals to provide enhanced alternative water infrastructure financing tools. 4. Support tax reform that protects public agencies • Work with NACWA and CASA in support of unrestricted use of tax- exempt financing and feasible innovative financing approaches such as infrastructure banks to supplement traditional funding approaches; • Work with state and local government stakeholders to restore state and local tax deductibility and advocate before congressional delegation; and • Submit testimony and transmit communications on tax-exempt financing and where possible present testimony. 5. Support resiliency legislation, regulations, and policies that support protection of OCSD investments and promote water and biosolids recycling assistance • Work with delegation and regulators to ensure incorporation of new programs for water and biosolids recycling assistance; • Work with NACWA, CASA and ACWA to support resiliency water and biosolids recycling legislation and regulations; and • Work with congressional infrastructure committees to secure assistance for resiliency projects. 6. Work with federal agencies on permitting issues • Work with U.S. Department of Energy on alternative energy permitting issues; • Work with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on environmental site assessment issues such as incidental take permits under ESA; • Advocate to authorize U.S. EPA to provide National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits terms for a period of up to 10- years. Orange County Sanitation District 2020 Legislative & Regulatory Plan 9 January 2020 State Tactics Initiative Action 1. Develop a proactive legislative and regulatory advocacy agenda • Identify legislation that has the potential to benefit or impact OCSD, as legislation is introduced and amended; • Identify proposed state and local regulations that are introduced that have the potential to benefit or impact OCSD; • Recommend positions on identified legislation and proposed regulation to align with OCSD’s legislative and regulatory plan; • Create and continually update a legislative and regulatory matrix to track identified pieces of priority legislation and proposed regulations; and • Schedule advocacy days in Sacramento with legislators and committee staff and regulators; • Continue an active letter writing campaign to support or oppose priority legislation and proposed regulations; • Schedule meetings with legislators, regulators, stakeholders, and senior officials in Sacramento and district offices to build support for OCSD priority projects; and • Participate in CASA’s legislative committees and Regulatory Workgroup and SCAP’s air quality, water issues, collection systems, biosolids, and wastewater pretreatment committees. 2. Compile a comprehensive list of Capital Improvement projects • Meet with OCSD’s Executive Management Team to discuss future capital projects and priorities, and • Match capital improvements with funding opportunities based on project eligibility. 3. Monitor and advise on possible funding opportunities, including but not limited to funding through Statewide bonds • Proactively engage in the drafting of grant funding guidelines and provide input to drafting agency or committee to ensure eligibility and competitiveness of OCSD projects and priorities; • Proactively engage on proposed legislation and regulations that would have an impact on the implementation of funding programs; and • Identify funding opportunities and provide recommendations for eligible projects. Create an advocacy and outreach schedule on the planning and execution of efforts to seek funds. Appendix B Orange County Sanitation District 2020 Legislative & Regulatory Plan 10 January 2020 4. Monitor and advise on funding available through Cap and Trade • Monitor the rollout of the Cap and Trade Expenditure Plan for waste diversion projects. Continue to advocate for additional funding in future Cap and Trade Expenditure Plans that OCSD is eligible for; • Identify eligible and competitive projects and programs; and • Create a schedule on planning and execution of efforts to seek funds, including outreach and advocacy strategy. 5. Monitor and advise on energy or other resource recovery related funding opportunities • Track energy related grant opportunities; • Identify potential projects for funding, including, but not limited to alternative renewable energy, biosolids to energy conversion, organic waste (high strength food waste and fats, oils, and grease) to energy conversion, and greenhouse gas reduction projects; • Ensure wastewater interests are protected as significant decisions are made related to renewable energy production financing, mandates, climate change goals, programs and continued efforts to extend the state’s emissions reduction target; • Schedule meetings with local delegation as well as key members to discuss project benefits and funding opportunity; • Support initiatives that help OCSD strive for energy independence by minimizing energy utilization and maximizing useful energy recovery from the sewage it receives; • Support fair and reasonable regulations for the pipeline injection of biomethane produced from anaerobic digestion; and • Support renewable energy initiatives that are reasonable and fair. 6. Schedule and attend advocacy and outreach meetings to provide OCSD project updates • Educate current administration, key staff and agencies on priority projects and advocate for funding allocations that align with OCSD priorities; • Schedule stakeholder meetings to build support for projects; • Hold advocacy meetings in coordination with funding opportunities and project timelines; • Work with relevant budget committees, budget sub-committees, policy committees and their staff to advocate for funding allocations that align with OCSD priorities; and • Provide full briefings and updates to Orange County legislative delegation and relevant members on OCSD priority projects. 7. Regulatory relief to allow for water recycling and expansion of GWRS • Outreach with the California Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Toxic Substances, State Water Resources Control Board, Regional Water Quality Control Board, the governor's office, legislative leadership and other appropriate stakeholders. 8. Development and advocacy for design-build legislation targeted at OCSD projects • Support and advocate for legislation that will expand the approved uses of design-build for OCSD specific projects; and • Schedule briefings and updates with Orange County legislative delegation to discuss potential design build legislation. Orange County Sanitation District 2020 Legislative & Regulatory Plan 11 January 2020 9. Development and implementation of a statewide biosolids land application management policy • Work in conjunction with CASA and SCAP to outreach and educate legislators and regulators to develop an advocacy strategy for regulatory framework that will support statewide objectives to manage biosolids land application. 10. Development and implementation of a strategy to relieve OCSD of cumbersome and outdated bid advertising costs • Work with relevant legislators and committees to draft legislation that will lessen the cost burden on OCSD of complying with outdated bid advertising requirements; and • Conduct outreach with various other Sanitation Districts across the State to form a coalition to support any efforts. 11. Development and advocacy for legislation to raise the contracting and bid threshold for Sanitation Districts • Meet with local labor groups to initially present the issue; • Brainstorm proposed solutions that will give OCSD and other Sanitation District’s more flexibility to complete small scale public works projects in house; • Work in conjunction with CASA to outreach, educate, and develop an advocacy strategy that will target all Sanitation Districts affected by the current threshold limitations; and • Develop and advocate for legislation that will raise the threshold for work that can be performed in house as well as work that is required to be bid. Orange County Sanitation District 2020 Legislative & Regulatory Plan 12 January 2020 Legislative and Regulatory Policies 1. Air Quality: OCSD is committed to complying with federal, state, and local air quality laws, rules, regulations, and policies. a. Support air quality legislations, regulations, rules, and policies that emphasize the use of advanced technologies and promote greater flexibility and financial incentives to reduce air emission. b. Support measures that maintain and enhance local decision-making authority, where appropriate, in the development and implementation of air quality attainment strategies. c. Support legislation and regulations to ensure greater consistency between the California and Federal Clean Air Acts. d. Support strategies that clearly demonstrate and provide for the most cost-effective means for meeting air quality goals. e. Continue to commit to adhere to OCSD’s odor policy to assure that OCSD is a good neighbor to the surrounding communities. f. Monitor legislation and regulations that would mandate OCSD to act as an air quality regulator and enforcer. g. Support legislation that would facilitate emission reduction credits for wastewater treatment plants. h. Monitor State’s proposed Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) Regulation especially CARB’s plans to accelerate zero- emissions heavy duty vehicle fleets and oppose regulation that would mandate fuel type restrictions. i. Monitor SCAQMD’s development of regulations and guidelines associated with AB 617 in the following areas: (1) implementation of best available retrofit control technology (BARCT) requirements for existing stationary sources; (2) deployment of air monitoring systems in selected communities; and (3) implementation of emissions reduction plans in selected communities. j. Participate in CASA ACE and SCAP’s effort to work with California Air Resources Board in development of new default emission factors for air toxics. k. Monitor regulatory development in response to State’s goal of achieving Carbon Neutrality. Appendix C Orange County Sanitation District 2020 Legislative & Regulatory Plan 13 January 2020 l. Support streamlined legislation, funding, regulations and policies that promote the beneficial use of the digester gas. m. Oppose redundant and unreasonable requirements, such as double reporting requirements, with respect to criteria pollutants, air toxics, or greenhouse gas emissions, including but not limited to reporting requirements associated with AB 617 (Garcia). 2. Biosolids and Biogas: OCSD strives to beneficially use biosolids through multiple management options performed at reasonable costs that are protective of public health and the environment. a. Support legislation, regulations and policies that support the beneficial use of biosolids on agricultural lands, landscape, horticulture, California Healthy Soils Initiatives, mine reclamation, fire ravaged lands, superfund sites, brownfields, overgrazed lands, carbon sequestration and wetland restoration. b. Support the promotion and funding of local pilot programs, studies, and research for the beneficial use of biosolids. c. Oppose legislation, regulations, and policies that imposes bans or restrictions on use of biosolids for land application in any region, county, or state. d. Support alternative energy legislation, regulation and policies that encourage use of biosolids as a renewable energy resource. e. Support streamlined legislation, regulations and policies that encourage the procurement of biogas, biosolids, and compost. f. Support CalRecycle, California Air Resources Board (CARB), California Public Utilities Commission, (CPUC), California Energy Commission (CEC), California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), and State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) accepting quality standards that allow wastewater treatment plants to inject biogas production into existing pipelines for renewable use. g. Support composter associations and local cities and agencies in education, market expansion activities, and meeting mandates to buy-back compost and other organics diverted from landfills. h. Limit redundant reporting requirements on organics, recyclable material, and solid waste. 3. Source Control: OCSD supports legislative that reduces pollutants and harmful materials that could enter the sewer system. a. Support statewide or targeted public education programs and initiatives that teach appropriate “What To Flush” practices and fats, oils, and grease management. b. Support legislation and funding opportunities that aim to decrease the amount of microplastics and compounds of emerging concern deposited through the sewer system. c. Support legislation that regulates the disposal of flushable wipes. Orange County Sanitation District 2020 Legislative & Regulatory Plan 14 January 2020 d. Support legislation and funding mechanisms that reduce the amount of trash, waste, chemicals, and harmful organic material that enter the sewer system. 4. Grant Funding: OCSD is committed to advancing the state of knowledge in the treatment and management of wastewater through the application of innovative and alternative technologies. To this end, OCSD supports grants assistance to offset its research, special projects and capital improvement projects. a. Support legislation, bonds, programs and projects that provide funding for: infrastructure construction and rehabilitation, special studies and research or projects relating to security, environmental education, water quality, wastewater processing, urban runoff, wastewater recycling, biosolids and organics management, water quality improvement, resource recovery, or alternative energy. b. Support projects that provide for public benefit over projects that are primarily intended for private benefit or gain. c. Oppose proposals placing further requirements on grant recipients that return low value for high administrative costs. d. Support regional collaboration and funding for public agencies for food waste co digestion and recycling projects. 5. Innovative Funding: OCSD is committed to supporting programs that provide the highest quality services to its ratepayers. a. Support programs to leverage federal assistance such as credit assistance and highly subsidized loan assistance. b. Support Public-Private-Partnerships, Public to Public and other financing approaches that can reduce costs only if such projects do not impose costs on OCSD ratepayers. c. Support the full funding of the Clean Water Act- State Revolving Fund Program at $3 billion annually. d. Seek federal assistance to support water conservation projects such as water recycling, green infrastructure through the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) and direct grants to reduce project costs. 6. Labor Relations: OCSD is committed to employer-employee relations including, but not limited to meeting and conferring in good faith with recognized employee organizations regarding the wages, hours of work and other terms and conditions of employment. As Congress considers reforming the federal tax code, many of the provisions subject to reform may impact labor relations. a. Support measures to reform current workers compensation formulas that rely on a proportionate exposure formula. b. Support health insurance reform that does not create additional financial burdens on special Orange County Sanitation District 2020 Legislative & Regulatory Plan 15 January 2020 districts. c. Support measures to ease applicability of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) on public agencies. d. Oppose any measure imposing compulsory and binding arbitration with respect to public employees. e. Oppose any measure that imposes upon local government mandated employee benefits that are more properly decided at the local bargaining table. f. Oppose efforts reducing local control over public employee disputes and imposing regulations on an outside agency. g. Oppose any measure granting public employees the right to strike. h. Oppose a new mandatory Social Security tax for public employers and public employees. 7. Security: OCSD is committed to the safety of all personnel, facilities, and the entire sewer system. a. Support legislation that would create efficiencies around the retention policy of surveillance video for innocuous recordings. b. Support funding for the hardening of essential regional facilities such as water recycling and sewer collection and recycling sites. c. Support legislation and funding for regional emergency management collaboration to protect critical infrastructure. 8. Planning: OCSD ensures the long-range planning of capital improvement programs in order to deliver the highest quality facilities. a. Support reform of existing state, regional and local planning processes only if directly linked to reforms in the current revenue and tax structure of state and local governments. b. Support measures that provide new revenues for growth management and the public facilities necessary to support expected growth. c. Support proposals encouraging regional, sub-regional or countywide cooperation in planning urban development strategies, especially those that provide funding for effective implementation of agreed upon goals. d. Oppose legislation consolidating special districts that fail to address the concerns of cities affected by the proposed consolidation. e. Oppose measures that prevent or restrict the ability of cities or special districts to participate in the Southern California Association of Governments’ (SCAG) sub-regional process. Orange County Sanitation District 2020 Legislative & Regulatory Plan 16 January 2020 9. Public Health: Protection of public health is OCSD’s core mission. OCSD will work cooperatively with county and state health officers to assure local health protection. a. Support hazard mitigation, emergency response, planning, and recovery through direct legislation, policy directives, and funding toward floodplain security within the Santa Ana River watershed. b. Support (generally) measures that provide for improved public health through regulation. c. Support the protection of public health and environment through the construction and implementation of advanced wastewater treatment technology. d. Support sharing critical information and data from state and county agencies in the interest of protecting the public health and saving taxpayer dollars. e. Monitor legislation that provides additional occupational safety and health standard requirements for employees, contractors, or subcontractors. 10. Public Works: OCSD is committed to the achievement of effective and efficient projects that provide wastewater treatment services that benefit its ratepayers. a. Support measures that provide funding and support to publicly owned treatment works and sewage collection systems. b. Support legislation and regulation that allow public agencies to procure goods and services in manners similar to private industry, thereby reducing overall costs of delivery. c. Support legislation and regulation that improve the Utility Underground Service Alert Program in order to improve coordination, identification, minimize damage, minimize environmental risks, and minimize cost exposure to publicly owned facilities when contractors are performing sub- surface work. d. Support a comprehensive response to the state’s electricity and natural gas shortages that provide a stable energy supply, respects the ability of municipalities to provide power, recognizes that infrastructure (i.e. emergency and standby generators) exists that could be employed temporarily during periods with minimal air quality impact and protects ratepayers (including cities and special districts) against dramatic rate increases and statewide power outages. e. Support legislation and regulation that allow OCSD to utilize the Best Value Design/Build option for the construction of public works projects. f. Oppose Buy American mandates legislation that would increase project costs or prevent the use of the most innovative technologies. g. Monitor legislation that would require the inspection and possible repair of sewer laterals at the time of sale in residential, commercial, and industrial areas h. Support legislation that allows OCSD to utilize Job Order Contracting to more efficiently contract for routine projects i. Monitor legislation connected with government claims against special districts regarding risk and Orange County Sanitation District 2020 Legislative & Regulatory Plan 17 January 2020 wrap-up insurance 11. Tax Reform/Revenue and Taxation: Track pending legislation to ensure OCSD remains in compliance with the government code as it pertains to wastewater system user fees and property tax revenues and the investment of public funds. a. Support measures leading to a greater financial independence from the state that would result in greater stability and predictability in local government budgeting. b. Oppose measures that impose mandated costs for which there is no guarantee of local reimbursement or offsetting benefits. c. Oppose legislation that shifts tax revenues away from local governments without the adequate provision of a constitutionally guaranteed backfill to offset the lost revenues of those local governments. d. Oppose measures that shift existing local revenue sources back to the state, including the special district share of property tax, sales tax, vehicle license fees, and rate payer fees. e. Oppose the use of revenues traditionally used to fund the delivery of municipal services to fund programs for which the state is responsible, particularly the courts, health, and welfare programs. f. Oppose elimination or restriction of state and local tax deduction from federal tax liability of local taxpayers. g. Oppose elimination or restriction on the availability of municipal tax-exempt financing for public infrastructure projects. 12. Special Districts: OCSD supports the maintenance of special districts to provide specific services, in response to citizen’s demands, in a cost-effective manner. a. Support outreach to local, regional, and state elected officials to foster a greater understanding regarding the critical relationship between adequate reserves and the successful short-and-long- term operation of water and wastewater agencies. b. Support the work of the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA), California Association of Sanitation Agencies (CASA), and California Special Districts Association (CSDA) in any future discussions or negotiations pertaining to the legislative and budget issues relative to preserving control of members’ reserves. c. Oppose further state regulations that adversely impact special district financing, operations, and administration. d. Oppose measures that create or grant powers to sub-regional or regional bodies that would result in an infringement on clearly local concerns. e. Oppose any administrative or legislative efforts to access or transfer any reserve funds held by Orange County Sanitation District 2020 Legislative & Regulatory Plan 18 January 2020 water and wastewater districts. f. Oppose the imposition of unfunded, mandated programs on local governments. g. Oppose efforts that diminish OCSD’s ability to govern efficiently and effectively, including expanding the size of the Board of Directors. h. Support alternate methods of public meetings notices that maintain transparency but are more cost efficient and technologically advanced 13. Water Quality and Supply: OCSD is committed to participating collaboratively in the protection of regional water resources for the benefit of the people we serve. a. Support (generally) measures to increase water supply and improve water quality in the region, including drought relief legislations and regulations. b. Support measures that would increase funding for water reuse technologies, including support for the Groundwater Replenishment System project by the Orange County Water District and OCSD to create new water supplies through wastewater recycling. c. Support measures that promote and provide for the use of reclaimed water. d. Support policy development, funding, and research for addressing urban runoff, stormwater, and beach closures, including funding for studies that identify the sources of bacterial, viral and other microbial contaminants and human pathogens. e. Support measures to evaluate water quality standards, as needed, to ensure the objectives are appropriately protecting the designated use. f. Support legislation and regulation that would direct U.S. EPA levied fines to remain in the region. g. Support measures addressing non-point source pollution in order to protect our ocean water quality and provide funding to mitigate its effects, including integrated permitting approaches that can reduce costs and achieve water quality improvements while allowing permits to be tailored to the needs of Orange County and its watershed. h. Support national infrastructure policies that contain aspirational goal that promotes improved water use efficiency in construction of water efficient buildings and communities. i. Support legislation and regulation that promote improved water use efficiency through state assistance in evaluating and implementing new programs and technologies and increasing public awareness of water use efficiency. j. Support legislation and regulation that provide for the development of the watershed approach, including watershed management plans and watershed-based permitting. k. Support legislation and regulation that necessitate the responsible use of water in residential, commercial, and industrial areas. Orange County Sanitation District 2020 Legislative & Regulatory Plan 19 January 2020 l. Support environmental guidelines on government agencies that would safeguard the region while providing increased protections. m. Oppose the imposition of statewide fees for environmental cleanup that is caused through private sector actions or are regional in nature (e.g., when the nexus between those responsible for environmental abuse and those required to pay for cleanup or mitigation is absent). n. Support approaches to reduce compliance costs associated with stormwater controls including the use of integrated plans. o. Monitor state and federal legislation and regulations related to PFAS substances. Orange County Sanitation District LEGISLATIVE AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE Agenda Report Administration Building 10844 Ellis Avenue Fountain Valley, CA 92708 (714) 593-7433 File #:2019-785 Agenda Date:12/9/2019 Agenda Item No:5. FROM:James D. Herberg, General Manager SUBJECT: LEGISLATIVE CONCEPTS GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION RECOMMENDATION: Approve Legislative Concept 2: Amend Public Contracting Code for sanitation districts to allow sanitation districts, whose service area includes a population of more than 1 million, the opportunity to utilize Job Order Contracting as a bid procurement procedure. This change should be an addition to Public Contract Code, Division 2, Part 3, Chapter 1, Article 50. BACKGROUND The Sanitation District is a leader in the wastewater industry and known for being innovative and resourceful.At the direction of the Legislative and Public Affairs Committee,staff has identified three potential legislative bills that the Orange County Sanitation District (Sanitation District)could carry or co-sponsor in the coming legislative cycles that would help further the mission of the Sanitation District and help our agency deliver services more efficiently and effectively. RELEVANT STANDARDS ·Build brand, trust, and support with policy makers and community leaders ·Ensure the public’s money is wisely spent ·Maintain influential legislative advocacy and a public outreach program ·Listen to and seriously consider community input on environmental concerns ADDITIONAL INFORMATION At the November 4 Legislative and Public Affairs Committee meeting,Townsend Public Affairs provided an update on four possible legislative concepts.Staff was advised to review three of the concepts and provide a recommendation at the December 9 Committee meeting.Following is an overview on each concept and a recommendation. Legislative Concept 1:Amend Public Contracting Code for Sanitation Districts to modify the Orange County Sanitation District Printed on 11/27/2019Page 1 of 3 powered by Legistar™ File #:2019-785 Agenda Date:12/9/2019 Agenda Item No:5. Legislative Concept 1:Amend Public Contracting Code for Sanitation Districts to modify the bid advertising requirement. In 2018,Assemblyman Daly ran Assembly Bill 2003,sponsored by the Sanitation District.The bill aimed to expand the allowable public notification methods for construction bids to include internet websites,radio,television,or other media as bid advertising platforms.Unfortunately,due to the opposition from the newspaper industry and committee staff from Northern California,the bill was pulled and did not pass. Following is a list of the support and opposition we received in 2018: Support Orange County Sanitation District [Sponsor] California Association of Sanitation Agencies California Special Districts Association Cities of: Fullerton, Huntington Beach, and Placentia City of Irvine Councilmember Melissa Fox Costa Mesa Sanitary District County Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County Irvine Ranch Water District Midway City Sanitary District Vallejo Flood and Wastewater District Opposition Air Conditioning Sheet Metal Association (unless amended) California Chapters of the National Electrical Contractors Association (unless amended) California Legislative Conference of the Plumbing, Heating and Piping Industry (unless amended) California News Publishers Association California State Building and Construction Trades Council (unless amended) Construction Industry Force Account Council (unless amended) Northern California Allied Trades (unless amended) Southern California News Group United Contractors (unless amended) Wall and Ceiling Alliance (unless amended) Western Wall & Ceiling Contractors Association (unless amended) Williams Pioneer Review Colusa County News Legislative Concept 2:Amend Public Contracting Code for sanitation districts to allow sanitation districts,whose service area includes a population of more than 1 million,the opportunity to utilize Job Order Contracting as a bid procurement procedure. The Job Order Contracting (JOC)process is a flexible,cost-effective unit price contracting method used to complete maintenance,repair,and refurbishment of County infrastructure and building facilities.JOCs are publicly advertised for competitive bidding and awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidders in accordance with the State Public Contracting Code.Instead of dealing with the time and expense of bidding each project separately,with JOC,the contract has already been competitively awarded for an indefinite number of projects,enabling contractors to respond quickly and construction to begin faster.The use of JOCs is a straightforward contracting process that provides accelerated project delivery,reduces administrative costs,and lowers direct construction costs while meeting all local, State, and Federal procurement requirements. Orange County Sanitation District Printed on 11/27/2019Page 2 of 3 powered by Legistar™ File #:2019-785 Agenda Date:12/9/2019 Agenda Item No:5. Legislative Concept 3:Amend Public Contracting Code for Sanitation Districts to increase the threshold for contracting in 2020. Current law,public contract code section 20783,states that any force account work done by a sanitation district themselves cannot exceed $5,000.Furthermore,the same code states that any expenditure for work exceeding $35,000 shall be bid to the lowest responsible bidder after notice. PROPOSED SOLUTION Legislative Concept 2:sponsor a bill to allow sanitation districts whose service area includes a population of more than 1 million the ability to utilize Job Order Contracting as a bid procurement procedure.This change would be an addition to Public Contract Code,Division 2,Part 3,Chapter 1, Article 50. At this time,staff is recommending that we do not sponsor bills for Legislative Concepts 1 and 3 that would expand the allowable public notification methods for bid advertising and increase the public works contract bid threshold as we do not see enough benefit to the Sanitation District considering the effort required to see these bills through the legislative process. TIMING CONCERNS To be considered in the next legislative year,it is imperative that we receive guidance from the Committee on which bills we should carry or co-sponsor. RAMIFICATIONS OF NOT TAKING ACTION If we do not sponsor the bill for Legislative Concept 2,the Sanitation District could lose out on the opportunity to improve project delivery efficiency. ATTACHMENT The following attachment(s)may be viewed on-line at the OCSD website (www.ocsd.com)with the complete agenda package: N/A Orange County Sanitation District Printed on 11/27/2019Page 3 of 3 powered by Legistar™