We’re excited to share the newest updates to the State Policy Hub! You may already know that you can find examples of state policies on the Hub related to drinking water (affordability, access, PFAS, lead service lines, and regionalization and consolidation), and open water data. You can now also find environmental justice policies and regulations and policies that supplement Clean Water Act (CWA) coverage and protection in the database, and introductions to each topic (environmental justice, bolstering CWA protections), along with deep dives highlighting policy language and providing context for how organizations across the network strategize and advocate for policy change and ensure implementation is a success. 

The database itself is also more user-friendly and searchable now! 

The Hub is a tool for the network to use and learn from; interviews with advocates demonstrate how they center their communities for change, maintain energy for the long haul, and strategize to improve water protections, ensure equitable distribution of environmental benefits, and reduce environmental burdens. 

Bolstering Clean Water Act Protections

Wondering what we mean by Bolstering Clean Water Act Protections? Thanks to the work of 2021 Emerging Leader Charles Miller, the Hub now includes state responses to the federal ups-and-downs of the Clean Water Act’s “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) definition and associated regulations. New state rules aim to fill the gaps created by the Trump Administration’s “Dirty Water Rule.” Discover more here. 

Environmental Justice

State action on environmental justice continues to accelerate, and we hope the Hub will serve as an ongoing resource for these new developments. Today, learn about how states like New Jersey and New York are able to deny certain permits if they disproportionately and negatively impact disadvantaged communities. Plus, other states’ policies that require agencies to adopt environmental justice implementation plans, develop comprehensive community engagement plans, and/or target investments towards disadvantaged communities.

Iterations of the Hub will continue into the future, along with updates to the current policy topics. The Hub is meant to be a resource for clean water advocates across the country; we want it to serve YOUR needs. With this intention, we invite you to share what else you would like to see featured as we expand the scope of the State Policy Hub: whether adding policies related to climate adaption, flooding, agricultural pollution reduction, wetland protection, or other pressing issues from your state. Explore the Hub and let us know what you think!