The dates for the 2018 Damage Prevention & Properties of Natural Gas Training are below.  Formal training sessions include the review of natural gas properties, the 811 laws in each of our jurisdictions, safe excavation techniques, escalation protocols, and a demonstration of a natural gas fire in our Pipetown training facility.  In addition, we train the excavator on the benefit and use of WG’s Enhanced Positive Response information provided on every locate ticket where gas facilities are marked.

 

Please note that Classes will be held indoors and outdoors, please dress accordingly.

 

Location:

6801 Industrial Rd

Springfield, VA  22151

 

Presentations are from 8:00 am to approximately 10:00 am

 

If attending-please RSVP to Jack Ellison @ (703)750-5128 or jellison@washgas.com

 

            1/25/19

            2/22/19

3/22/19

            4/26/19

            5/24/19

            6/28/19

            7/26/19

            8/23/19

            9/27/19

           10/18/19

           11/15/19

           12/13/19

 

Additional training is available upon request

 

Media and the public are invited to an important public meeting and open house as DC Water discusses the District’s aging water and sewer infrastructure with the community. 

The meeting consists of a formal presentation to discuss the types of projects that DC Water undertakes, our criteria for project selection, our construction processes, and other related topics. Staff will be on hand to answer questions on infrastructure and a wide range of other topics.
 
Who:               DC Water
When:             Saturday, September 8, 2018; 2-4 p.m.
Where:            DC Housing Finance Agency, Auditorium
                        815 Florida Avenue, NW
Parking:         Parking lot located behind the facility.  Push the button by the gate and announce that you are there for the DC Water Infrastructure Forum.
Nearest Metro Station: Shaw or U Street Metro Stations

On Tuesday, July 31^st, H.R. 2353, the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act was signed into law. This legislation reauthorizes the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act (Perkins Act), and it was one of our priorities during the Washington Summit. As was reported last month in NUCA’s Political Insiders report, the Senate finally came to an agreement on this legislation, which allowed the bill to move forward.

Here is brief recap of the final version of this legislation and specifically highlight provisions that will benefit NUCA.

The Perkins Act is the main federal support for state and local CTE programs. These programs help prepare high school and community college students with the knowledge and hands-on experience necessary for jobs in a broad range of industries.

H.R. 2353 had enormous bipartisan support when it finally moved through Congress, with both the House and Senate passing the legislation by voice vote without any objection.

This legislation increases funding for CTE programs and makes numerous reforms to ensure that programs better serve the needs of students, employers, and local economies.  The changes in H.R. 2353 will place more responsibility on states to align their programs with local needs. The bill also encourages stronger engagement with employers by involving local business leaders in the development of CTE programs and goals. The legislation also reduces regulatory and paperwork burdens on states, while  proving a framework to guide states to set and meet strong performance standards.

Additionally, the final version of the bill changes current law to allow CTE funding to be used for programs as early as 5^th grade. More specifically, H.R. 2353 actually requires funding recipients to include how they will provide career exploration for middle school students in their implementation plans. These provisions accomplish the same goals as the Middle STEP Act (addressed in a previous Political Insiders), which was ultimately not included in the final version of the bill. These are welcome changes that can help students gain exposure to our industry and work at an earlier age. During the Washington Summit and other conversations, NUCA members have consistently expressed their interest in reaching out to students and letting them know about the career-path opportunities that are available in our industry.

As the implementation of this law moves forward, please reach out to your local school districts if you are interested in getting involved with these programs. Also, please continue to keep our team at NUCA informed of your work with local educators and community colleges. This information is invaluable as we work with legislators and agencies to show the hard work that you are putting into these education efforts.

Today, the Board of Directors of the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (DC Water) voted to provide additional rate relief for low income customers. The resolution unanimously approved by the Board directs the General Manager to transfer $6 million from the Rate Stabilization Fund to the FY 2019 Budget to expand DC Water’s Customer Assistance Program to mitigate the impacts of increases in retail water and sewer rates.

“This is good news for the customers of DC Water,” said Board Chair Tommy Wells immediately after the vote. “We are working with the Mayor and DC Council to provide meaningful rate relief, based on need, while maintaining our fiscal integrity and keeping our commitment to help clean up our local waterways.”

In addition to the funding approved by the Board, the District Government has set aside $7 million in its 2019 Budget for assistance to residential customers and not-for-profit enterprises.

“That’s a total of $13 million that will be available to assist residential customers who feel the burden of rate increases the most,” said DC Water CEO and General Manager David L. Gadis. “It’s the right thing to do. I applaud the Board for taking this action today in direct response to what we’ve heard from our customers.”

DC Water’s existing Customer Assistance Program (CAP) is administered by the Energy Office at the District Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) and provides eligible customers with discounts on their water and sewer charges and other fees on their monthly bills. In the resolution approved today, the Board of Directors instructed management to expand the CAP program to provide assistance to more low income customers in the new fiscal year.