By Judy Sheahan
January 31, 2011

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Deputy Administrator Bob Perciasepe discussed during the January 21 plenary session the progress that EPA is making on the priorities that EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson outlined at the 2010 Winter Meeting, and how mayors are partners with EPA on environmental protection.

Perciaspe, who started his career working for Baltimore, acknowledged the tremendous role that local governments play as environmental stewards. "Cities have some of the most important day-to-day responsibilities when it comes to protecting the environment," he said. "You're the ones who have been implementing our protections for the past 40 years."

Perciasepe also spoke about President Obama's new Executive Order, which was issued earlier that week, asking all federal agencies to review all rules and regulations "to make sure they are efficient, flexible, and transparent" and, according to President Obama, "remove outdated regulations that stifle job creation and make our economy less competitive."

The Conference of Mayors' 2011 Metro Agenda has made the issue of Unfunded Mandates a top priority asking Congress and the Administration to determine the cost of current unfunded mandates and to provide a coordinated and national strategy regarding the prioritization and implementation of those mandates.

Periciasepe also addressed a number of water issues including new stormwater regulations that are to be proposed in September. "We treat stormwater as wastewater that's stored and treated — something that can be very costly to cities and towns on a budget," he said. "Many of those cities, your cities, are struggling to maintain their current infrastructure — an effort that costs upwards of $30 billion a year nationwide. All together, cities spend more than $100 billion a year on water and wastewater services and infrastructure. Despite this enormous price tag, we still end up losing almost seven billion gallons of treated water each year due to leaking pipes."

According to Perciasepe, Jackson is developing a comprehensive drinking water strategy that addresses water contaminants in groups that will "use all available authorities for protecting our water" including the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). In the coming months, EPA will be selecting their first group of drinking water contaminants to address.

Perciasepe stressed the importance of engaging both the private and public sector. "I'm sure many of you here today can tell your own stories of innovative ways you're helping to make your communities healthier, cleaner and stronger — not just through creative water projects, but through other smart and sustainable strategies," he said. "We're eager to work with you to find the best solutions to meet your communities' needs and help rebuild the foundations for lasting prosperity in your cities. As we act as your partner in this endeavor, you are the drivers. I look forward to our continued work together."