FROM: James D. Herberg, General Manager
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LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS UPDATE FOR THE MONTHS OF NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2022 AND JANUARY 2023
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GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION
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RECOMMENDATION:
Receive and file the Legislative Affairs Update for the months of November & December 2022 and January 2023.
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BACKGROUND
The Orange County Sanitation District’s (OC San) legislative affairs program includes advocating OC San’s legislative interests; sponsoring legislation (where appropriate); and seeking Local, State, and Federal funding for projects and programs. In recent years, this information has been presented to the Board of Directors (Board) through the Legislative and Public Affairs (LaPA) Committee, but with the dissolution of the LaPA Committee, the information will be presented to the Board through the Steering Committee.
RELEVANT STANDARDS
• Maintain influential legislative advocacy and a public outreach program
• Build brand, trust, and support with policy makers and community leaders
• Maintain collaborative and cooperative relationships with regulators, stakeholders, and neighboring communities
PROBLEM
Without a strong advocacy program, elected officials may not be aware of OC San’s mission, programs, and projects and how they could be impacted by proposed legislation.
PROPOSED SOLUTION
Continue to work with Local, State, and Federal officials to advocate OC San’s legislative interests. Help to create/monitor legislation and grants that would benefit OC San, the wastewater industry, and the community. To assist in our relationship building efforts, we will continue to reach out to our elected officials providing facility tours, one-on-one meetings, and trips to Washington D.C. and Sacramento.
RAMIFICATIONS OF NOT TAKING ACTION
If we do not work with Local, State, and Federal elected officials, legislation could be passed that negatively affects OC San and the wastewater industry. Additionally, a lack of engagement may result in missed funding opportunities.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Supercritical Water Oxidation:
OC San was notified that we have been selected to receive funding for the Supercritical Water Oxidation (SCWO) project in the amount of $3.45 million through the Federally run Community Partnering Program.
The SCWO will support a six-ton-per-day demonstration project called AirSCWO Nix6. This process uses water at a high temperature and pressure to oxidize and break down complex compound materials like PFAS. Once treated, we expect that the compounds are transformed into more basic and benign compounds and enhanced public health including exposure from water and air that would otherwise contain PFAS.
OC San staff and its consultants are in the process of reviewing the opportunity to ensure we comply with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency guidance and will report back to the Board of Directors once staff can ensure compliance.
ATTACHMENT
The following attachment(s) may be viewed on-line at the OC San website (www.ocsan.gov) with the complete agenda package:
• Federal Update - ENS Resources
• State Update - Townsend Public Affairs
• Grant Matrix