AE2S Nexus has published the 2017 version of its annual Utility Rate Survey. We would like to thank the 285 participants this year. AE2S Nexus received responses from 130 systems serving populations 5,000 and greater, 107 systems serving populations less than 5,000, and 48 regional rural systems. Survey data was solicited from utilities in Iowa, … Read more
President Donald Trump’s Budget Request for fiscal year 2018 (FY18), includes funding for the Water Infrastructure Finance Innovation Act (WIFIA), Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF), and Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) programs, within the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) budget. The WIFIA program received $20 million, with $17 million of that amount eligible … Read more
Affordability is a top concern cited by policy makers and utility managers. From a big picture perspective, unaffordable utility rates create two problems: 1) hardship for ratepayers, and 2) inadequate revenues for the utility. This article does not address how or why utility charges may reach a level that is viewed as unaffordable. Rather, it … Read more
The National Rural Water Association, headquartered in Duncan, Oklahoma, has been selected through a competitive grants process to establish a regional Environmental Finance Center (EFC) to serve the USEPA Region 8 states, which include Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming. USEPA says the EFC will provide multi-media environmental finance expertise and outreach to regulated … Read more
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) recently announced it is accepting letters of interest (LOI) for credit assistance for water infrastructure projects under the new Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program. The WIFIA program will provide long-term, low-cost credit assistance in the form of direct loans and loan guarantees to creditworthy water projects. … Read more
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has finalized a rule to amend its Risk Management Program (RMP) regulations. The update aims to reduce the likelihood of accidental releases at chemical facilities and improve emergency response activities when those releases occur. “This rule is based on extensive engagement with nearly 1,800 people over the last two … Read more