The Rundown
- EPA is reviewing funding allocations to Florida and Texas for replacing lead pipes.
- Ag secretary declares a wildfire and insect emergency in the National Forests in response to an executive order to increase timber production on federal lands.
- NOAA hydrologists will host a webinar today on the year’s Colorado River basin water supply forecast.
- Department of Energy seeks information on developing AI infrastructure, such as data centers, at sites it owns or manages.
- U.S. uranium production last year was the highest since 2018, the EIA reports.
And lastly, a federal judge orders Denver Water to halt construction work on a controversial dam-raising project.
“This Court will not reward Denver Water for starting construction on the Project despite being aware of the seriousness of the environmental law challenges.” – Senior U.S. District Court Judge Christine Arguello, in ordering a stop-work injunction against the water utility’s project to raise the height of Gross Reservoir’s dam.
By the Numbers
59 Percent: Share of U.S. National Forest land that is part of an agency emergency declaration to allow more logging.
16: Sites owned or managed by the Department of Energy that could host AI infrastructure, according to the department’s internal review. This could be data centers or energy sources. The department is seeking feedback on desirability of the sites, challenges with developing AI infrastructure, and economic, technical, and environmental considerations like low-water cooling technology for dry areas. The sites are mostly national laboratories such as Argonne, Brookhaven, Idaho, Oak Ridge, and Sandia.
In context: Data Centers a Small, But Growing Factor in Arizona’s Water Budget
News Briefs
Lead Pipe Replacement
The EPA will be reallocating lead pipe replacement funding from Florida and Texas after its internal watchdog flagged questionable data submitted by the two states on the number of lead pipes in their jurisdictions.
After the Office of Inspector General published its investigation in October 2024 that showed inflated numbers in the two states, the agency requested additional information from Florida and Texas. That included information from federally mandated lead service line inventories, which were completed after the previous data was submitted.
The new data appears to have confirmed the OIG report. The EPA press office wrote to Circle of Blue that it has notified the two states that it will reduce their fiscal year 2023 funding allotments.
“The agency is working with the states and intends to reallot funds from the de-obligations, along with other remaining FY 2023 funds later this year.” The amount to be reallocated was not available.
Logging Order
Brooke Rollins, the agriculture secretary, declared an emergency in more than 112 million acres of National Forest lands due to risk of fire and insect damage, setting the stage for more logging in these areas.
The emergency declaration is in response to President Donald Trump’s March 1 executive order to increase tree-cutting on federally managed lands.
In addition to logging, watershed restoration is listed as one of the authorized emergency actions, as is reducing post-fire risks for critical infrastructure such as reservoirs.
The declaration covers 59 percent of the lands in the National Forest system. Western forests have the highest number of acres in the emergency classification, but forests in the Southeast register a high share relative to their size.
Colorado Dam Lawsuit
A federal judge ordered Denver Water to stop its construction work to raise the height of Gross Reservoir’s dam, claiming that the project violates federal environmental laws and needs new permits, the Colorado Sun reports.
Denver Water wants to expand the capacity of Gross Reservoir, an existing impoundment in the Rocky Mountain foothills that stores Colorado River water for the city. Construction for the dam raising began in 2022, but the judge determined that permits issued by the Army Corps did not adequately assess water supply alternatives or water availability in a changing climate.
Denver Water is contesting the ruling.
Cybersecurity Bill
A bill introduced in the House would authorize $10 million annually for the next two years to help water utilities gain information about protecting themselves from cyberattacks.
Studies and Reports
Uranium Boom
U.S. uranium production last year was the highest since 2018, according to figures from the Energy Information Administration.
Rising prices spurred the mining revival, which was led by White Mesa Mill, in Utah, and two in-situ facilities, in Texas and Wyoming. For in-situ mining, groundwater is pumped underground to dissolve uranium, which is then pumped out of the ground via a recovery well.
The nation’s data center boom has revived interest in nuclear power as an energy source. Microsoft, for instance, signed a deal last year to reopen a unit at Three Mile Island, the infamous nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania.
On the Radar
Colorado River Water Supply Forecast
Today, April 7, NOAA hydrologists will provide an update on the year’s water supply forecast for the Colorado River basin.
Register here for the public webinar, which will begin at 12:00 p.m. Eastern.
EPA Office of Water Leadership
On April 9, the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works will vote on the nomination of Jessica Kramer to lead the EPA Office of Water.
Federal Water Tap is a weekly digest spotting trends in U.S. government water policy. To get more water news, follow Circle of Blue on Twitter and sign up for our newsletter.