(December 9, 2020) – As Washington gets set for a new Administration and Congress next year and a busy legislative agenda ahead, the advocacy voice of the public clean water sector will be more critical than ever to ensure our policy goals are heard  under what is expected to be a divided government.

For this reason, NACWA is starting the process of putting together a new “Legislative Affairs Workgroup” comprised of federal legislative and government affairs staffers directly employed by NACWA’s utility members to provide both a platform for discussion and advocacy on key clean water legislation before Congress. 

NACWA’s utility CEOs and Executives have countless demands placed on them everyday day while running their utilities, and so do not always have the needed time and attention to devote to legislative advocacy.  As such, this Workgroup provides NACWA’s utility leaders with a forum in which their staff can work with NACWA and other utility government affairs staff to ensure their legislative needs, and that of the larger clean water sector, are collectively and effectively advocated for throughout Washington.  

Led by two Co-Chairs, Sharon Green of the Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County, and Danielle Giannantonio of the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (NEORSD), the Workgroup will hold regular calls and impromptu advocacy discussions based on timely legislative developments.

NACWA is looking to get the Workgroup up and running by early next year ahead of the January 20 inauguration of President-elect Biden and what is expected to be a very busy first few legislative months in Congress.

If you are interested in having a legislative/government affairs staffer or someone with a similar role within your utility join this Workgroup, please contact NACWA’s Director of Legislative Affairs Jason Isakovic to discuss further.