State Regulatory Programs

NAWC’s State Regulatory Program works in concert with the leadership of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) and the Committee on Water, State Public Utility Commissions and environmental regulators to seek long-term solutions and best practices for challenges facing the private water service industry and the customers they serve. Opportunities are provided for our members to engage in discussions and share information, debate issues in open forums, and raise awareness of critical issues facing the industry.

State Regulatory Programs and Initiatives include:

• Promoting and reporting on Best Practices such as recent DSIC activity which includes: the approval of a DSIC in Connecticut, the raising of the cap on DSIC in Pennsylvania, and a DSIC on a pilot basis for California-American Water Company’s Los Angeles District.
• Developing an Annual Water Policy Forum that brings together state public utility Commissioners, water utility executives and other stakeholders including the USEPA, the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators and Wall Street representatives to discuss topics that dominate the water policy agenda. (See Water Policy Forum Reports)
• Working closely with and providing technical assistance to the NARUC Committee on Water to encourage substantive dialog and information sharing. (also see www.naruc.org)
• Providing for member participation and serve as an advisor/industry coordinator for speakers and topics for NARUC national and regional meetings and conferences. (See Events for presentations and also see www.naruc.org)
• Serving on the faculty for two Utility Rate Schools hosted by the NARUC Committee on Water annually. (See Events and www.ipu.msu.edu)
• Researching and publishing vital economic regulatory information to provide education and enhance awareness including the Sourcebook of Regulatory Techniques for Water Utilities, numerous special reports and issue papers and the film “This Business of Water”. (See Publications)
• In partnership with NARUC, USEPA and the ASDWA holding a National Drinking Water Symposium every two years. (See Events and Publications)
• Hosting of special events in conjunction with NARUC national meeting to raise awareness of national water issues. (See Events)