Laziness isn’t why people are poor. And iPhones aren’t why they lack health care. – The Washington Post
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water sewer management
Scarier
Water professionals depend on good science. If scientists are stifled, or research is distorted, how do we make good decisions? Or, as one conversation I overheard suggested, are we headed to a new Dark Ages where books and knowledge are destroyed because they are inconvenient? That won’t help our mission, or public health. Or the environment which we rely on to provide us water supplies and water quality.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/feb/19/epa-trump-boston-science-protest
Scary
Happy valentines day to the love of my life who made this fantastic dessert for us tonightxoxoxox
Massive Oil Spill in Yellowstone River Contaminates Drinking Water — NOVA Next | PBS
Inequity statistics are beyond belief
Oxfam’s statistics are beyond belief. Inequality is the biggest threat to the global economy – and it’s getting worse. Today, eight people have the same wealth as the poorest half of the world’s population. Stop and think about this. It is a mind-boggling concept.Last year we said we would have needed a double-decker bus to transport…
via Eight men earn more than 3.6 billion people: our economics is broken | Mark Goldring — The Guardian
Republicans took a huge step forward to give away National Parks and public lands for private profit
Renewables or Lost Jobs?
As 2017 gets rolling, we are set to swear in a new President. The politics are already interesting. The question is what will change, when and how. For example there has been an ongoing discussion of infrastructure bills, but aside from WITAF approval, little clear direction has been forthcoming. We only know that private sector participation will be encouraged. Of course virtually all projects constructed in the public sector are constructed by private contractors, so how/if that will change is unclear.
It is also unclear which industries will be affected. There are already comments about not pursuing he renewable energy opportunities – China sees 13 million jobs in the coming 5 years as their economy cranks up to meet the needs. They are contributing $360 billion to enhance this sector. I have previously blogged about potential opportunities in the US to grow renewables. But they are just like recycling in the 1970s. Recycling needed to be subsidized until such time as the facilities and processes were in place to make it competitive. Now for steel and aluminum, it is less costly than virgin iron or bauxite. That has several benefits to the economy and the environment.
I have previously suggested that those who do the research, develop the solutions and control the patents tend to rule the economy. The US did in throughout the 20th century. Energy is the 21st century opportunity and I would hope we don’t cede that elsewhere due to politics. 13 million jobs would really help places in rural America and place like Detroit and Flint which have the workers. It may be that instead of the federal government doing much in this arena, the state and local officials will lead the charge. California has been successful to a degree in this regard. Let’s see if making money will “trump” the politics of oil. That would be good for a lot of local governments that have workers and factories, but not jobs. That would help people like those in Flint. And it would help their utilities. Let’s work on this with our local officials
Planet Nine?
Since Pluto was demoted years ago to a non-planet, we have been stuck with 8 planets. But over the last year there has been a lot of discussion about there being a planet 9. From 60 minutes. The question is will we see it in out lifetime?
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/60-minutes-cal-tech-astronomer-hunts-for-planet-nine/
Happy New Year
It is hard to believe it is 2017 already. I hope it will be a good year for everyone!
The year should be interesting and there are many questions to ask with respect to leadership and the water industry, and personally.
Will Congress fully fund the SRF and WITAF programs for water? Can we then make a dent in our infrastructure backlog? Can we get local officials to fully fund water and sewer? Can we explain to the public why that is necessary? And then do it?
Will Flint get its water service line issues resolved? How about the other 6-10 million service lines? What about sanitary sewer service lines? Will the Florida Legislature deal with the service line issue?
Will the economy remain in growth mode to help with funding and redevelopment?
From a more personal level, will we get the leadership in the water industry survey out there? How about the at-risk utility tool? An infrastructure grant? More work for PUMPS and therefore students? Some grant and loan monies for in-need communities? My infrastructure management book is moving along. Behind, but progress being made. I hope it is useful to the public works industry and for students!
But we don’t need to worry about any of that until January 3. SO have a great new year’s day and if you are off tomorrow like many people, a good holiday tomorrow. Enjoy Big Sur….
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