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, November 8: Lawmakers Attempt to Throttle Flood Insurance Increases…Plus, Infrastructure Bill Passes

November 8, 2021/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown House lawmakers try to slow down federal flood insurance premium increases. The House passed an infrastructure package that includes a historic federal investment in water systems. Congressional Republicans introduce a bill that would narrowly define the scope of the Clean Water Act. The Bureau of Reclamation will not conduct a flood release this […]

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

2021 Election Recap: New York Voters Approve Clean Water Constitutional Amendment

November 3, 2021/in Water News/by Brett Walton

High-profile water-related issues were also on the ballot in Maine, Boise, and Virginia Beach.

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 1: Build Back Better Act Directs Billions for Lead Pipes and Other Water Concerns

November 1, 2021/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown The compromise on the federal spending bill still includes significant water investments. The White House releases a report on international climate migration and the role of the U.S. government. Under a draft consent decree, the EPA agrees to a deadline for issuing new consumer confidence report rules. An EPA report finds that GenX, […]

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

2021 Election Preview: The Expensive Battle in Maine over Hydropower Imports

October 28, 2021/in Water News, WEF/by Brett Walton

The second-most expensive campaign in Maine history is a debate over energy infrastructure.

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

2021 Election Preview: Two Cities, Facing Floods and Aridity, Eye Big Public Works

October 27, 2021/in Water News, WEF/by Brett Walton

Boise and Virginia Beach ask voters to approve infrastructure plans that exceed a half-billion dollars.

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

2021 Election Preview: New York Considers Right to Clean Water

October 26, 2021/in Water News, WEF/by Brett Walton

Voters will decide on a constitutional amendment for environmental rights.

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, October 25: Warming Planet Threatens Global Political Stability, U.S. Intelligence Agencies Warn

October 25, 2021/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown EPA releases a PFAS plan with timelines for regulatory action. EPA identifies clean water priorities in a draft five-year plan. U.S. hydropower generation is projected to drop 14 percent this year, EIA says. More water utilities ask the EPA to intervene to secure chemicals needed for water treatment. The U.S. Forest Service resumes […]

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, October 18: Agencies Call Attention To Cyber Threats Against Water Utilities

October 18, 2021/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Federal agencies warn water utilities about the risks of cyberattacks. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service decides that an odd-looking Colorado River fish is no longer endangered. USDA distributes $272 million in grants and low-interest loans for rural water and sewer systems. The EPA releases a report on monitoring wastewater for SARS-CoV-2. Senators […]

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, October 11: White House, Reversing Trump, Proposes Environmental Review Changes

October 11, 2021/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown The White House intends to change the policies that govern environmental review of major federal actions. EPA nominates a new head of Region 5, which covers many of the Great Lakes states. The EPA provides grant funding to investigate the human health risks of pollutants in treated sewage sludge. The EPA and USDA […]

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

Water Groups Lauded a Side Agreement at the Paris Climate Conference. Then It Languished.

October 5, 2021/in Water News, WEF/by Brett Walton

The fate of the Paris Pact reveals the difficulties in incorporating water into global climate agreements.

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, October 4: Supreme Court Starts October Term with Groundwater Case

October 4, 2021/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown For the first time, the Supreme Court will hear arguments over a groundwater dispute, in this case between Mississippi and Tennessee. Congress adds $28.6 billion in disaster aid, plus money for drought response and California water projects, to a bill that keeps the federal government operating through December 3. The U.S. Geological Survey […]

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, September 27: New Projections Show High Risks for Colorado River Reservoirs

September 27, 2021/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown The Bureau of Reclamation releases five-year projections for lakes Mead and Powell. The EPA Administrator discusses farm issues with state agricultural regulators. The GAO says Congress should work on a permanent fix for the nation’s spent commercial nuclear fuel. And lastly, foreign affairs agencies will update their global water strategy. “The latest outlook […]

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