CEOs of large drinking water systems, as well as key senators and representatives, will be on hand for the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA)'s 2003 Legislative and Regulatory Conference, set for March 30 to April 2 in Washington, D.C., at the Watergate Hotel.
Speakers invited from the Bush Administration include EPA Administrator Christine Todd Whitman, to discuss EPA's agenda for the coming year, as well as Department of Homeland Security Secretary-designate Tom Ridge and officials from the FBI, to discuss water security and information sharing.
Speakers invited from Capitol Hill include the new chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) and Sen. James Jeffords (I-Vt.), who leads the Senate Democrats on the committee. In addition, staff from key House and Senate committees will give water system executives the inside scoop on water-related legislation.
Senators Michael Crapo (R-Idaho) and Jack Reed (D-R.I.) have accepted AMWA's invitation to speak. By the time of the conference, it is anticipated that both senators will have introduced potentially competing water infrastructure bills; Sen. Crapo co-authored last year's S. 1961, a $35 billion measure, while Sen. Reed is considering a trust fund approach using Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act fines paid by violators.
Other speakers will discuss privatization and competitiveness, upcoming regulations, infrastructure funding bills, public information laws and water security.
In addition, AMWA staff will help members set up appointments with their senators and representatives and provide briefing materials.
AMWA's goal is to create a vast resource of insider intelligence through this conference, with many opportunities for attendees to network with other water industry executives on key issues and developments of the day.
Further information about AMWA's 2003 Legislative and Regulatory Conference can be found at www.amwa.net.
Source: AMWA
