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, February 5: NSF Selects Water, Climate Innovation Hubs

February 5, 2024/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown National Science Foundation invests potentially $1.6 billion in regional innovation hubs to address water, climate, and energy challenges. EPA proposes two new rules to prevent PFAS contamination of water sources. GAO reports cover precision agriculture, cybersecurity, and climate change’s consequences for nuclear sites abroad. EPA financial advisers will hold a public meeting on […]

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, January 29: EPA Proposes Stricter Water Pollution Limits for Large Slaughterhouses

January 29, 2024/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown EPA proposal would restrict nutrient pollution from the largest meat and poultry processors. EPA science advisers will not review the agency’s proposed rules for lead in drinking water. House Energy and Commerce subcommittee will hold a hearing on breaching Snake River dams. USAID considers a grant program for water, climate, and gender in […]

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, January 22: BLM Develops Large-Scale Solar Plan to Protect Habitats, Expand Renewable Energy

January 22, 2024/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Federal cybersecurity agency publishes a guide for water and wastewater utilities. GAO reports on foreign investment in U.S. farmland. BLM draft review aims to facilitate large-scale solar development in the western states. Senate committee will hold a hearing on the National Flood Insurance Program. EPA begins accepting applications for regional stormwater “centers of […]

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, January 15: EPA Water Leader Will Step Down

January 15, 2024/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Radhika Fox, head of the EPA Office of Water, will leave her post at the end of February. Supreme Court rejects a petition to review a federal government veto of a contested Alaska mine. EPA advisory council will meet to discuss changes to federal rules on lead in drinking water. NOAA reviews the […]

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, January 8: EPA River Survey Notes Ecosystem Improvements, Challenges Nationally

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

The Rundown EPA river and stream survey indicates slightly healthier waters, but nutrient pollution remains a top challenge, especially in the Corn Belt. EPA approves Louisiana’s request to manage carbon dioxide injection wells in the state. Saltwater in the Mississippi River continues to burden one Louisiana delta town. And lastly, congressional representatives weigh in on […]

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, December 18: White House Signs Columbia Basin Restoration Initiative

December 18, 2023/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown EPA proposes water quality standards to protect aquatic life in the Delaware River, and it proposes stricter water pollution limits for slaughterhouses. FEMA releases a report identifying gaps in the nation’s readiness for disasters. EPA submits two PFAS rules – on drinking water and hazard substances – to the White House for review. […]

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, December 11: EPA Rejects Florida Water Quality Standards

December 11, 2023/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown EPA proposes stronger water quality standards for Florida’s rivers and lakes. Interior Department provides funding for solar panels atop a Gila River Indian Community irrigation canal. EPA tests tap water in the U.S. Virgin Islands due to lead concerns. White House, during a tribal nations summit, promises more federal cooperation with tribes. Property […]

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, December 4: EPA Proposes 10-Year Timeline to Remove Most Lead Pipes

December 4, 2023/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown EPA thinks most utilities can remove lead pipes within a decade, but a few will not. National security agencies detail recent cyberattacks on water systems by Iran-linked hackers. S. officials attend the UN climate summit in Dubai and pledge to triple nuclear energy capacity globally. CDC report shows multiple uses for pandemic-era wastewater […]

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, November 27: Army Corps Signs Agreement for Solar Panels above Tribe’s Irrigation Canal

November 27, 2023/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown EPA publishes draft guidance for groundwater pollution regulation enabled by a 2020 U.S Supreme Court decision. A Department of Energy lab reports on the state of the U.S. hydropower market. EPA watchdog announces new investigations into underground injection wells and funding for removing lead drinking water pipes. National Weather Service intends to study […]

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, November 20: Report Concludes Water Managers “Slow to Adapt” to Climate Changes

November 20, 2023/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Fifth National Climate Assessment outlines the need to adapt to climate change. EPA requests information on challenges in procuring American-made products for water infrastructure projects. EPA wants volunteers for a committee on CAFO water pollution, while Interior seeks authors for the first-ever National Nature Assessment. Army Corps does not expect salt water to […]

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

Billions in Federal Assistance after New Mexico’s Largest Wildfire. But Little Money to Repair Streams

November 16, 2023/in Water News/by Brett Walton

Stream restoration beset by lack of money and workers.

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, November 13: EPA Takes Next Step in Nitrate Health Assessment

November 13, 2023/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown EPA’s health assessment division releases protocol for evaluating nitrate in drinking water. EPA orders Minnesota to respond to nitrate pollution of groundwater in the state’s southeast. The White House updates guidance for calculating costs and benefits of federal regulation. GAO reports on non-native mussels in the Columbia River basin and salmon health in […]

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

Author Archive for: Brett

About Brett Walton

Entries by Brett Walton