Original Post by Joey Durr:
H.R. 967 Clean Water for Rural Communities Act
This bill was proposed by representative Greg Gianforte of Montana. The purpose of this bill is to allow the construction of the Musselshell-Judith Rural Water System and study of the Dry-Redwater Regional Water Authority System. These water systems stretch across both Montana and North Dakota. This act will ensure safe and adequate water for 11 counties in Montana and 1 county in North Dakota. The authority to oversee this construction and study will be the the Central Montana Regional Authority.
The Dry-Redwater Regional Water system study will look at the feasbility of constructing another water system in the area to continue the mission of bringing safe water to rural communities of North Dakota and Montana. In order to successfully do this, they will have to comply with the reclamation feasibility standards.
Regarding Water rights, there was nothing in this act. I think the overall mission here is to ensure water for citizens so there is no issue when it comes to waterways. They are simply trying to create systems so that more rural places have adequate water quality and supply. This is interesting when you compare it to a place like Flint, Michigan who is clearly lacking in water quality standards. However, I did notice that a Bill sponsored by Kamala Harris called the Water Justice Act is also noted on the site. This bill seems to be more broad and cover all of the United States and the urgent issue to supply clean water to areas like Flint.
H.R.2019 – Smart Energy and Water Efficiency Act of 2019
I chose this bill because the title looked interesting. The bill was made to help improve water and energy conservation including water quality and help predict maintenance of energy and water systems. They plan to do this by using internet-connected technology. I found this interesting because it seems to be a modern way to help improve environmental issues. This program will reward eligible entities who demonstrate the use of innovative technology to improve water quality and energy conservation. The plan describes a program where entities apply and a selection process will be put in place to determine what 3-5 entities should be awarded these grants for their innovation. This plan was proposed by California representative Jerry McNerney to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. I think this is a really good bill because it makes a lot of sense for any party, democrat or republican. It is even better because they are referring this bill to the scientific committee of the house, which I believe should handle most environmental matters. Water conservation and quality will continue to be very important, especially in states like California. This program will encourage entities to come up with the most creative ways to conserve water for now and in the future as water supply will become even more crucial.
References:
Congress.gov “Water Justice Act” Accessed May 6, 2020 congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/2466/text?q=%7B”search”%3A%5B”water+flint”%5D%7D&r=2&s=2
Congress.gov “Clean water for rural communities act” Accessed May 6, 2020 https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/967?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22water%22%5D%7D&s=1&r=12 (Links to an external site.)
Congress.gov “Smart Energy and Water Efficiency Act” Accessed May 6,2020 https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/2019?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22water%22%5D%7D&s=4&r=2
Comment:
I am particularly interested in the values embedded in laws that are tightening standards. I appreciate your phrase stating that the regulators “are simply trying to create systems so that more rural places have adequate water quality and supply”. So, I decided to dive deeper into it. In the terms of H.R. 967, how does an entity decide the specific amount of water going to each county? May there be a discrepancy regarding how to allocate the water amongst the population after building the infrastructure?
I wonder about the potential of organizing workshops that set up a space for people to gather and search specific legislation categories that are important to them. It may lead to increased citizen participation in calling congress and environmental law system verdicts that accurately represent the local interest.
It’s amazing to consider the way one law can spark another based on a transfer of values. After reading your post, I also looked into S. 2466 because it’s sponsored by Kamala Harris. She is a senator in California, which is where I currently live. Further, I was amazed by her demeanor after seeing her present at the 2020 democratic presidential primary debate. As you mentioned, this bill is even broader, very clearly reflecting the value of clean drinking water as a human right. I commend its massive vision combined with its feasibility. Considering it became a law after it was referred to the Committee of Finance, I figure it is realistic on a monetary basis. The law depicts the countrywide drinking water infrastructure emergency as issues with water accessibility and affordability as well as outlines a plan for investments in sustainable, nationwide water infrastructure. S.2466 is dissolving any sort of location restriction, and I agree with creating a law ensuring places such as Flint, MI are no longer neglected.
Source:
Congress.gov “Water Justice Act” Accessed May 6, 2020 congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/2466/text?q=%7B”search”%3A%5B”water+flint”%5D%7D&r=2&s=2