Federal Water Tap, February 24: White House Details Plan for Foreign Investments in the U.S.

The Rundown

• The White House pledges faster environmental reviews for foreign investments in the U.S. greater than $1 billion.
• Senate Commerce Committee targets federally funded science research that has some connection to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Inspector general’s report details how EPA could refine guidance for spending billions in “emerging contaminants” funding.
• DHS announces panel to review FEMA’s performance.

And lastly, the White House establishes an energy council to focus on everything but renewables.

“It shall be the policy of my administration to make America energy dominant.” – White House order establishing the National Energy Dominance Council. The order mentions “crude oil, natural gas, lease condensates, natural gas liquids, refined petroleum products, uranium, coal, biofuels, geothermal heat, the kinetic movement of flowing water, and critical minerals” – but not solar or wind, which are less polluting and use less water.

By the Numbers

$2 Billion: Research grants from the National Science Foundation during the Biden administration that Sen. Ted Cruz claims are promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. The Senate Commerce Committee, which Cruz chairs, released a database of the 3,483 grants that it identified as having some connection to social justice, environmental justice, race, and gender. Hundreds of water research projects are listed.

In context: Republican Attack on Science Targets Water Research that Benefits All

$28.5 Billion: Construction funding distributed by the Army Corps of Engineers to water resources projects – locks, dams, levees, ecosystems – nationally between 2018 and 2023. Some 43 percent went toward projects to manage flood risk.

News Briefs

Open for Business
The White House published a memo to its agencies outlining its “America First” investment policy.

According to the memo, the Trump administration will welcome some – but not all – foreign investment. The memo says that Chinese investments in U.S. critical infrastructure, natural resources, and farmland should not be allowed.

In the memo, the Trump administration pledges to “expedite environmental reviews” for any foreign investments greater than $1 billion. The memo did not say how the faster service would be achieved, other than noting the EPA would be the lead agency.

FEMA Review Council
The Department of Homeland Security announced a new council to review FEMA’s capability to carry out its disaster recovery mission. President Donald Trump, a FEMA critic, called for the review council last month.

The president will appoint no more than 20 people to serve on the council.

National Energy Dominance Council
President Trump also established a council to advise him on ways to produce more energy in the country.

The council will be chaired by Doug Burgum, secretary of the Interior and former governor of North Dakota, a leading oil producer.

Studies and Reports

Emerging Contaminants Funding
The EPA could refine its guidance for states on how to use $4 billion in federal funds to remove “emerging contaminants” from drinking water, according to a report from the Office of Inspector General.

Provided by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in 2021, the funds are intended to focus PFAS removal. But some state officials told the OIG that they did not know if they could prioritize non-PFAS contaminants, if those are a bigger health threat in their areas.

On the Radar

Public Comment Periods Extended
The EPA extended until April 16 the comment period for its draft assessment of the health risk of two PFAS in sewage sludge.

The agency also extended the comment period for draft water quality criteria for two PFAS in rivers and lakes. It now closes on April 25.

House Hearings
On February 25, the House Appropriations Committee will discuss the Army Corps of Engineers civil works program.

On February 26, a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee will delve into energy and environment investments made during the Biden administration.

Federal Water Tap is a weekly digest spotting trends in U.S. government water policy. To get more water news, follow Circle of Blue on Twitter and sign up for our newsletter.

Brett Walton

Brett writes about agriculture, energy, infrastructure, and the politics and economics of water in the United States. He also writes the Federal Water Tap, Circle of Blue’s weekly digest of U.S. government water news. He is the winner of two Society of Environmental Journalists reporting awards, one of the top honors in American environmental journalism: first place for explanatory reporting for a series on septic system pollution in the United States(2016) and third place for beat reporting in a small market (2014). He received the Sierra Club’s Distinguished Service Award in 2018. Brett lives in Seattle, where he hikes the mountains and bakes pies. Contact Brett Walton