Jena Shoaf Acos on LinkedIn: New Bills Aim to Protect Water Rates, Charges from Prop. 218 Litigation (2024)

Potential reform is afoot in the CEQA sphere! Yesterday the Senate budget committee rejected Newsom's CEQA reform package because the cutoff for bills to pass June 2, just two weeks after the governor rolled out his proposal. The 10 bills includedmeasures to streamline water, transportation and clean energy projects with an eye toward helping the state meet its climate goals. “The overwhelming agreement is that we need to build clean faster and cut green tape,” said Committee ChairSen. Josh Becker, a Democrat from San Mateo. “That’s been a legislative priority for me and will continue to be a legislative priority. Although today we are rejecting the governor’s trailer bill proposals based on process, as seven days is insufficient to vet the hundreds of pages of policy nuance in these proposals, we look forward to working with the administration on all of these critical issues.”#water #transportation #cleanenergy #CEQA #streamlining

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Attention construction professionals! Are you facing customer service challenges related to the rising labor costs in the water mitigation and property rehabilitation industry? The recent court case debating President Biden's executive order on minimum wage requirements for contractors is a hot topic that could potentially impact your business. It's crucial to be prepared for potential changes in labor costs and adjust your operations accordingly. At Expert Restoration, LLC, we understand the complex interactions between labor costs and customer service in the construction industry. Share your frustrations and questions with us, and let's work together to find effective solutions. #RestorationExperts #DamageMitigationPros #expertrestorationllc #propertyrehabilitation #watermitigationpros #watermitigation #firemitigation #moldremediation #IICRC #RIA #WashingtonWaterDamage

Though several #carbon #pipeline-related #bills were introduced and advanced out of their respective #House committees, they didn't see the same result on the #Senate side. As a result, there were no bills passed during the 2023 #legislative sessions in #Iowa and #South Dakota addressing issues like #eminentdomain and #landsurveying. Our latest blog gives an overview of the bills that were considered and what happens now.

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"As evidence of the agency’s success, Hill pointed to the fact that GEFA was early to submit its applications for more than $200 million in federalrebate funding to help Georgians make their homes more energy efficient. Hill said he expects those rebates, which were includedin the federal climate and health law known as the Inflation Reduction Act, to be available to consumers by the end of the year."These are the rebates included in the #InflationReductionAct to help low and moderate-income households afford #cleanenergy upgrades like electric heat pumps, induction cooking, and weatherization. Getting these in place for Georgians by the end of this year will be a gamechanger in terms of helping the most energy cost-burdened households enjoy both savings and cleaner air.

Amid a significant uptick in federal spending as a result of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Dennis Toft, Chair of CSG Law’s Environmental Law Group, recently sat down with Jeffrey Kanige of NJBIZ to share his insights into infrastructure spending, permitting delays, new flood rules, brownfields redevelopment and more: “We’re seeing activity at the federal level as a result of the [Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act] on lots of fronts which is good both because the sites are getting cleaned up and because then they become available for redevelopment. The Superfund tax was also reauthorized by the federal government, and that gave the EPA even more impetus to start moving [forward with] these sites…It’s good for New Jersey in the sense that sites are getting moved ahead.”For more info: https://ow.ly/BA3E50PNQqH

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The United States took historic climate action by enacting the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. However, to fully realize the climate, economic and societal benefits of the laws, federal, state, and local governments and the private sector must implement the funds in a timely, efficient and equitable manner. World Resources Institute launched the U.S. Climate Policy Resource Center to guide policymakers, the private sector and society to effectively implement the federal climate funds.Explore guidance for different sectors, information on tax credits and rebates, and the historic environmental justice and equity investments: https://lnkd.in/geD9afbh

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We are appealing to Asian Development Bank (ADB), The World Bank and Georgian government to take notice and immediate actions against ongoing violations in the intended construction of Stepantsminda-Gveleti road project, part of Mtskheta-Stepantsminda-Larsi highway connecting Georgia to Russia.On June 13, 2023, Roads Department of the Ministry of Infrastructure announced a tendering procedure, including detailed documents, for constructing the Stepantsminda-Gveleti road. However the project has not been issued environmental decision necessary for obtaining construction permit.The road project has not even been through the scoping procedure that should determine the extent and list of necessary studies and documents for preparing environmental impact assessment (EIA). Yet, the project already has both environmental impact assessment and detailed construction plan.Disturbingly, the Roads Department has developed and is trying to implement one of the most difficult sections of the road of international importance without adequately studying and considering all possible risks to the environment and human health and life. https://lnkd.in/dWg4teMG

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The report, released earlier this month by Gov. John Bel Edwards, tracks more than 780 projects receiving funding from the bipartisan infrastructure law passed in 2021 and the Inflation Reduction Act passed in 2022. It’s the broadest accounting yet of what the two laws, which combined will spend around $2 trillion across the U.S., mean for Louisiana. More funds are likely on the way as state agencies, local governments and private companies continue applying for grant programs through the legislation.https://lnkd.in/eJuybuUN

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The Government has repealed the Three Waters legislative scheme, reverting to previousprovisionswith the aim of introducing new legislation at a later date.The Water Services Acts Repeal Act 2024came into force on February 17, marking a significant departure from the previous government's reforms. The act repeals several water services-related acts and disestablishes certain water services entities. It also provides options for local authorities regarding the adoption of their long-term plans, allowing for extensions or deferrals in light of the repeal. Consequential amendments to other acts are also addressed, including reviews of water services bylaws.The Minister of Local Government has announced forthcoming measures, including two bills aimed at local water management to be introduced by mid-2024 and mid-2025, emphasising local decision-making and compliance with water quality standards.For more information on the Water Services Acts Repeal Act 2024 and the two proposed bills, click the link below.#threewatersreform #threewatersrepeal #localgovernmentlaw

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RCAP TAPs webinar on November 14: "Introduction to the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds" to learn about The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and how State Revolving Funds programs work, what is required to apply, and how applications are assessed.Registration and more information: https://loom.ly/oZVq5ZI