New Advisor Bootcamp and Annual Water Policy Institute

Annapolis, MD | Dec. 2-3, 2019

The 2019 Water Policy Institute featured innovative policies and approaches along with cross-cutting issues such as health challenges with PFAs and the nexus of water and energy. Governors’ water policy advisors convened in Annapolis to learn about policies and programs aimed at resiliency, including approaches and technology that states are using to address emerging contaminants in drinking water, rural water needs, stormwater, energy-water nexus, PFAs and other health-related challenges, and funding and financing water infrastructure improvements.

INSTITUTE AGENDA |  BOOTCAMP AGENDA

Monday, December 2 – Graduate Hotel

Welcome & Introduction to NGA

• Speakers:
  • Sue Gander, Director, Energy, Infrastructure & Environment, National Governors Association Center for Best Practices
  • Bevin Buchheister, Senior Policy Analyst, Energy, Infrastructure & Environment, National Governors Association

Introductions & the Role of a Governors’ Water Advisor

Working with National Associations

• Speakers:
  • Wendi Wilkes, Senior Policy Analyst, Association of State Drinking Water Administrators 
  • Scott Berry, Director, Policy and Government Affairs, U.S. Water Alliance

Break

What I Wish I Knew…

• Speakers:
  • Ben Grumbles, Secretary, Maryland Dept. of the Environment
  • Dierdre Finn, Executive Director, Council of Infrastructure Financing Authorities

Working Effectively with Washington

• Speakers:
  • Anita Thompkins, Director, Drinking Water Protection Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 
  • Martin Lowenfish, Branch Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture

Networking Dinner – Luna Blu

Tuesday, December 3 – Graduate Hotel

Registration and Breakfast

Welcome 

• Speakers:
  • Sue Gander, Director, Energy, Infrastructure & Environment, NGA
  • Ben Grumbles, Secretary, Maryland Dept. of the Environment

State Introductions

• Moderator:
  • Bevin Buchheister, Senior Policy Analyst, Energy, Infrastructure & Environment, NGA

The Water Outlook: Solutions for Current and Future Challenges

• Speaker:
  • Cheryl Norton, President, New Jersey American Water, Senior Vice President, Eastern Division
• Moderator:
  • Bevin Buchheister, Senior Policy Analyst, Energy, Infrastructure & Environment, NGA

NETWORKING BREAK

The Intersection of Water and Health Policy: State Action Addressing PFAS Contamination of Drinking Water

• Speakers:
  • Jim Kelly, Section Manager, Environmental Health Division Minnesota Department of Health  
  • Catherine Neuschler, Manager, Water Assessment Section, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
• Moderator:
  • Sarah Grace Longsworth, PFAS Project Manager, Environmental Council of the States

Advancing Water Solutions for Rural Areas

• Speakers:
  • Edna Primrose, Assistant Administrator, Water and Environmental Programs, Rural Utilities Service, Rural Development Agency, United States Department of Agriculture
  • Rick Duncan, Executive Director, Delaware Rural Water Association
• Moderator:
  • Nathan Ohle, Chief Executive Officer, Rural Community Assistance Partnership     

Working Lunch

• Introduction:
  • Sue Gander, Director, Energy, Infrastructure & Environment, NGA
• Speaker:
  • Yu-Ting Guilaran, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Groundwater and Drinking Water, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Breakout Sessions:

Stormwater Spotlight: Advocacy, Politics, and Funding

• Speakers:
  • Chris Trumbauer, Director, Policy and Communications, Office of the County Executive, Anne Arundel County, MD  
  • Erik Michelson, Administrator, Watershed Protection and Restoration Program, Anne Arundel County, MD 
• Facilitator:
  • Bevin Buchheister, Senior Policy Analyst, Energy, Infrastructure & Environment, NGA

Regionalization through Consolidation and Co-ops

• Speakers:
  • Eric Emmerich, Business Development Manager, EJ Water Cooperative
  • Ted Stiger, Senior Director, Government Relations and Policy, Rural Community Assistance Partnership
  • Scott Berry, Director, Policy and Government Affairs, U.S. Water Alliance
• Facilitator:
  • Timothy Schoonhoven, Policy Analyst, Energy, Infrastructure & Environment, National Governors Association

Getting the Lead Out: Funding Lead Service Line Removal

• Speakers:

• Wendi Wilkes, Senior Policy Analyst, Association of State Drinking Water Administrators 
• Facilitator:
  • Sue Gander, Director, Energy, Infrastructure & Environment, NGA

Water-Energy Nexus 

• Speakers:
  • George S. Hawkins, Esq., Founder and President, Moonshot Missions
  • Alice G. Dasek, Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, U.S. Department of Energy
• Moderator:
  • Travis Loop, Director of Communications and Outreach, Water Environment Federation, Producer and Host of Words on Water Podcast 

Next Steps

Adjourn