House Committee Considers “Do Not Flush” Labeling Legislation
On September 27, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce examined the WIPPES Act (H.R. 2964) as part of broader legislative hearing on consumer protection bills. The bill received strong endorsement by both subcommittee leadership and the witness panel. The WIPPES Act establishes national “Do Not Flush” labeling standards for nonflushable wet wipes that mirrors California’s labeling law, A.B. 818 that CASA championed. The federal legislation enjoys public support from the wipes industry, clean water, civil engineers, and environmental advocate stakeholders.

Ahead of the hearing, CASA worked with the bill’s sponsors Representative Lisa McLain (R-MI) and Representative Mary Petola (D-AK) to provide letters of support and informational materials for the hearing record. Through working with the sponsoring offices, CASA also worked with the subcommittee Vice Chair Tim Walberg (R-MI) to provide a statement and questions on H.R. 2964 for the hearing.

During the hearing, John Breyault, Vice President of Public Policy of Telecommunications and Fraud for the National Consumers League, testified in support of the WIPPES Act. Breyault noted that these wipes are not designed to breakdown like toilet paper and as a result the flushing of these wipes leads to significant damages to clean water infrastructure and increased costs for ratepayers. Walberg asked Breyault how the WIPPES Act would help save communities money. Breyault explained that wipes are a big business but are often flushed down the toilet, which lead to infrastructure damages that ultimately get passed on to ratepayers. He continued that the WIPPES Act’s label requirement is a simple solution that discourages flushing as a disposal option. The positive exchange between Walberg and Breyault on the WIPPES Act can be viewed at the timestamp 1:23:30 of the hearing’s recording hyperlinked here.

The overall success of the hearing is the result of CASA’s leadership on the issue and coordination with the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry (INDA), National Association of Clean Water Agencies, and the other stakeholders in the coalition, which CASA created to advocate for the national adoption of “Do Not Flush” labeling law modeled after California’s law. Last week’s hearing now allows the WIPPES Act to move to the next phase of the legislative process which is a committee mark-up of the legislation. As of this writing, a date for a mark-up has yet to be scheduled.

 

$7.5 Billion in Available Financing for Water Infrastructure Projects
Last month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $7.5 billion in available Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) funding. This innovative low-interest loan program helps communities invest in drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure. More information available in the full press release: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/biden-harris-administration-announces-75-billion-available-financing-water

 

Trailblazing Senator Dianne Feinstein Passes
On September 29, Senator Dianne Feinstein passed away marking the end of a remarkable career representing California at the national level. Senator Feinstein was the longest serving female Senator and her three-decade long career included a number of significant policy achievements that continue to impact national policies today, including policies focused on clean water and water supply. While there have been many achievements in her career, enactment of the Water Infrastructure Investments for the Nation (WIIN) Act is of particular note to California water agencies. Under her leadership, this consequential water supply and resources legislation delivered alternative water supply projects throughout the western U.S. and the led the way for years of federal support of storage, water recycling, desalination, and ecosystem restoration projects.

Following Senator Feinstein’s passing, Governor Gavin Newsom appointed Laphonza Butler to fill the Senate seat. Upon her appointment, Butler stated that “No one will ever measure up to the legacy of Senator Dianne Feinstein, but I will do my best to honor her legacy and leadership by committing to work for women and girls, workers and unions, struggling parents, and all of California.”