Water Well Journal
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/608970
8 ' 7 9 6 46 , 0 4 4 1 + 7 ' + 1 4 5 <5 < $ $ + . 8. . 8. 4 4 ( % ! " ! ! # * 4 64 5 2 + 8+ 78 =7 7 6 +6 8+ ' ;' = 8 /8 1/ '1 9 $ ! $ " $ ! $ $ ! $ " " + . 8. 3 /3 * + 6+ 96 89 ) ' ,' 9, 3 '3 2 7 87 ) 9 *9 ! " " ! " ! ! | ! ! | % ! % " " | ! ! $ ! $ " | ! + 3 4 . | | | $ ! ! ! ! ! 8 ' $ 6 + 0 ' 8 9 4 0 ) + . ) + 7 ' + 1 ' 5 2 4 - 3 / 6 9 8 ) ' , 9 3 ' 6 + 0 ' ) = 6 4 8 7 7 ; + 3 ! ! ! ! ! " ! & ! # $ ! $ ; ; 3 9 * + 8 7 / 1 + ( 9 ! 9 4 % 3 4 7 2 + 8 7 = 6 + 8 ' 1 1 ' 8 7 3 / 3 4 7 4 + * / : * 3 / , 4 8 = 3 + 6 4 2 * 3 ' + - ' 6 + : 4 | $ ! ! # $ 4 ) 7 2 + 8 7 = 7 6 + 8 ' ; 6 + 0 ' ( ; ; 6 + * 3 3 4 / 8 ' 2 4 able energy extenders for those tech- nologies that are expiring or have ex- pired. NGWA signed on to a letter arguing that a stable and predictable tax policy is critical to deploying technologies like geothermal heat pumps. The House and Senate have pursued different paths toward an extenders package—with the Senate's package including support for renewable energy tax credits and the House package not addressing the expiration. While tax credits for geothermal heat pumps don't expire until 2016, it is important to raise the importance of extending tax credits across renewable energy technologies as early as possible. NGWA Submits Letter on Electronic Logging Devices T he National Ground Water Associa- tion submitted a letter to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) as it reviews the final rule on electronic log- ging devices the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration proposed in 2014. NGWA's letter to OMB largely echoed comments filed in 2014, high- lighting the challenges mandating use of the devices would have on water well drilling firms. The letter states "NGWA hopes OMB will consider the adverse financial implications of a one-size-fits- all approach." The rule is directed toward long-haul motor carriers, and NGWA's letter rein- forces water well drilling firms should not be subject to the same regulations— given the limited number of miles they travel by comparison. The rule has been delayed for several months as it underwent internal review at the Department of Transportation and is now under review at OMB. An OMB official noted it could still be "several months" before a final rule is released. Mandating electronic logging devices would increase costs substantially for water well drilling firms, particularly if existing vehicles are required to be retrofitted. Senate Shows Signs of Life on Appropriations While most in Washington assumed all 12 appropriations bills were stalled for the year, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) resur- rected several appropriations bills that he intends to move. The move came as a surprise to many who anticipate the Senate to spend the next few months working out a separate long-term budget agreement. Democrats have vowed to filibuster all 12 appropri- ations bills—and McConnell's strategy to schedule votes on the measures will test this promise. House and Senate leaders have until December 11 to come up with a long- term funding agreement. Passage of any of the Senate bills will strengthen the Senate's negotiating position in coming up with a long-term agreement. This could benefit the National Ground-Water Monitoring Network, which has an increase of $1 million in funding for FY2016 in the draft Senate appropriations bill. NEWS from page 10 12 December 2015 WWJ waterwelljournal.com