Brett Walton

About 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

Entries by Brett Walton

Federal Water Tap, April 8: Western U.S. Snowpack Is High and Low

April 8, 2024/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Reclamation provides funds for tribal drinking water projects and solar panels at irrigation canals. EPA financial advisers will meet this week to discuss water affordability and federal infrastructure investment. States and tribes request extensions for spending household water bill assistance funds. Western mountain snowpack is a tale of two regions at the end […]

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

circleofblue.org/author/brett

Federal Water Tap, April 1: EPA Plans National Study of PFAS Entering, Exiting Municipal Sewage Treatment Facilities

April 1, 2024/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown EPA intends to gather data on PFAS coming into and out of municipal sewage plants. House passes infrastructure permitting bill opposed by the White House. Western U.S. hydropower generation dropped to a 22-year low last year. Defense Department finalizes a rule restricting PFAS in firefighting foam. EPA enlists states in effort to protect […]

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

circleofblue.org/author/brett

Federal Water Tap, March 25: Plants for Energy: DOE Assesses Biomass Potential

March 25, 2024/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown DOE report estimates biomass potential for energy production – and assumes careful stewardship of water to achieve it. Federal officials engage state governors on water utility cybersecurity. NOAA forecasters warn of water scarcity once again this fall in the lower Mississippi River. EPA watchdog finds cost overruns and delays for Gowanus Canal Superfund […]

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

circleofblue.org/author/brett

World Water Day Reflects on Conflict, Peace

March 22, 2024/in Water News, WEF/by Brett Walton

Unreliable water is a significant social risk.

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

circleofblue.org/author/brett

Can U.S and Mexico Secure Water Supplies in Shrinking Rio Grande?

March 19, 2024/in Water News, WEF/by Brett Walton

Changes are needed in 80-year-old water treaty to accommodate the drying climate.

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

circleofblue.org/author/brett

Federal Water Tap, March 18: Spy Agencies See Water, Climate as National Security Risks

March 18, 2024/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown U.S. spy agencies release global threat assessment, highlighting water and climate. Eight states broke heat records during a warm winter. U.S. and Canadian governments ask a binational commission to intervene on worsening water pollution from mining in a cross-border watershed. EPA watchdog recommends a more thorough review for overseeing water infrastructure dollars sent […]

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

circleofblue.org/author/brett

The Stream, March 13, 2024: Cambodia Canal Proposal Could Harm Mekong Delta

March 13, 2024/in The Stream/by Brett Walton

A proposed $1.7 billion canal in Cambodia would link a coastal port to a Mekong River tributary.

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

circleofblue.org/author/brett

Federal Water Tap, March 11: Congress Finalizes 2024 Budget for Water, Energy Agencies

March 11, 2024/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown President Biden signs budget package for water, environment, and energy agencies that includes earmarks for water projects and an EPA spending cut. Reclamation publishes a final environmental impact statement for a short-term Colorado River conservation plan. IRS clarifies the tax status of lead service line replacements for homeowners. SEC finalizes a rule requiring […]

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

circleofblue.org/author/brett

Federal Water Tap, March 4: Permanent Water Bill Assistance Program Proposed in Senate

March 4, 2024/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown In a Senate proposal, federal water bill assistance program would shed its temporary status. Reclamation tallies water losses in the lower Colorado River basin. EPA program updates its schedule for releasing chemical toxicity assessments. New EPA office will focus on agriculture and rural affairs. GAO assesses environmental justice implementation for federal infrastructure investment. […]

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

circleofblue.org/author/brett

Federal Water Tap, February 26: Natural Disasters Prompt Residents of U.S. Island Territories to Move, Census Finds

February 26, 2024/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Severe storms pushed people in U.S. island territories in the Pacific and Caribbean to find new homes. The Biden administration releases more federal funds for water infrastructure. An EPA regional office questions a plan to store coal waste at a shuttered power plant in Georgia. A House bill aims to establish a Mississippi […]

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

circleofblue.org/author/brett

Federal Water Tap, February 19: Agriculture Census Reveals Farming Shifts

February 19, 2024/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown USDA farm census finds decline in irrigated acreage and increase in cover crops. Interior Department brokers deal in Klamath River basin between farmers and tribes. GAO assesses flood-control infrastructure in a changing climate, and says the Defense Department should be more transparent about cleanup costs for a fuel spill on O’ahu. EPA, meanwhile, […]

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

circleofblue.org/author/brett

Federal Water Tap, February 12: Modifying Glen Canyon Dam Operations to Combat Non-native Fish

February 12, 2024/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Bureau of Reclamation proposes changes to Glen Canyon Dam operations because of non-native fish. Legislation in Congress would facilitate watershed recovery after forest fires and reauthorize the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. Army Corps launches a new permit review system for faster processing. NOAA foretells El Niño’s demise. DOE pays hydropower operators to improve […]

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

circleofblue.org/author/brett

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About Brett Walton

Entries by Brett Walton