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, June 7: First Slice of Low-Income Water Bill Assistance Funds Available

June 7, 2021/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown The Department of Health and Human Services released $166.6 million in funding for a low-income water bill assistance program. Negotiations on an infrastructure package continue. The EPA determines that a proposed mine in northern Minnesota may affect downstream waters, opening the mine to a legal challenge. And lastly, runoff in the upper Missouri […]

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

Amid Dire Colorado River Outlook, States Plan to Tap Their Lake Mead Savings Accounts

June 2, 2021/in Water News, WEF/by Brett Walton

Arizona and California intend to draw on water they banked in the big reservoir, even as water levels drop.

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, June 1: EPA Will Revise Water Permitting Tied to Pipelines, Fuel Export

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

The Rundown The EPA says it will revise Trump-era changes to Clean Water Act permitting that centered on energy infrastructure. Senate Republicans increase water spending in their infrastructure counteroffer. The House Natural Resources Committee gets an update on drought conditions in the western states. The Bureau of Reclamation cuts Central Valley Project water allocations 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

The Stream, May 28, 2021: Australian Coal Mine’s Water Withdrawals Need Deeper Analysis, Court Says

May 28, 2021/in The Stream/by Brett Walton

YOUR GLOBAL RUNDOWN Australia’s government should have conducted a more thorough analysis of the impacts of water withdrawals for the controversial Carmichael coal mine, a court rules. Study shows fish farms in British Columbia can transmit a virus to wild salmon. An outburst of mucus-like marine algae is blanketing Turkey’s Sea of Marmara The African […]

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, May 27, 2021: Chinese Officials Warn of Major Flooding Again This Summer

May 27, 2021/in The Stream/by Brett Walton

YOUR GLOBAL RUNDOWN Seventy-one rivers in China exceed warning levels and officials expect big floods in the coming months. Water infrastructure in Gaza remains impaired following a cease-fire agreement with Israel. Drought in Mexico’s northern Chihuahua state is hurting the production of Indigenous farmers. In northeast India, one of the world’s smallest ethnic groups is […]

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, May 26, 2021: Children Harmed by Attacks on Water Infrastructure, UNICEF Says

May 26, 2021/in The Stream/by Brett Walton

YOUR GLOBAL RUNDOWN Children are collateral damage in attacks on water and sewer systems in conflict zones, according to a UNICEF report. Poland and the Czech Republic work to resolve a dispute over a lignite coal mine that is accused of draining groundwater. Amid drought, hydropower generation declines in California. Water utility customer assistance programs […]

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, May 25, 2021: Mining Denver’s Sewers for Energy

May 25, 2021/in The Stream/by Brett Walton

YOUR GLOBAL RUNDOWN The largest project in North America to tap the heat in sewer pipes is under construction in Denver. Leaders in Iran blame rolling blackouts on drought, heat, and cryptocurrency mining. South African scientists confront challenges in monitoring wastewater for SARS-CoV-2. Water systems in West Virginia report losing large volumes of 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

Federal Water Tap, May 24: In Congress, Lawmakers Target Water Debt Relief, Drought Response

May 24, 2021/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown Lawmakers introduce proposals on water debt relief, western water infrastructure, water bill assistance, and national drinking water standards for an algal toxin. The White House, in negotiations with Republican leaders, reduces the size of its infrastructure proposal to $1.7 trillion. President Biden orders federal agencies to assess financial risks of climate change. 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

Congress’s Stealth Water Infrastructure Deal

May 20, 2021/in Water News, WEF/by Brett Walton

The American Rescue Plan Act allocated $350 billion to states, tribes, and local governments. Some of that money is available for upgrading water systems.

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, May 17: White House Advisory Council Outlines Environmental Justice Recommendations

May 17, 2021/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown A White House advisory council drafts a plan for ensuring disadvantaged communities receive 40 percent of the benefits of the administration’s climate investments. The Treasury Department details how $350 billion in state, local, and tribal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act can be used for water infrastructure. Washington state senator opposes a […]

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

Extremely Dry Conditions Spill Across the American West

May 11, 2021/in Water News, WEF/by Brett Walton

Brett WaltonBrett 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 […]

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, May 10: White House Releases Conservation Roadmap

May 10, 2021/in Federal Water Tap/by Brett Walton

The Rundown President Biden aims to conserve 30 percent of the country’s lands and waters by 2030. The GAO says that the method for assessing farmer compliance with wetlands protections should be updated. The EPA assesses a draft nutrient-reduction plan in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. NOAA releases new baselines for “normal” climate in the United […]

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