DANIELLE GIANNANTONIO

- Hosted GRLI proect completion event and invited OH Senators (+staff), an NE OH Congressional Office Member (+ staff) and U.S EPA Region 5 to attend - thank you letters and other gratitude communications were extended to all those that attended - Hosted and invited all NE OH Congressional Members/OH Senators and their staff to the District's annual Clean Water Fest - Coordinated with a NE OH Congressional Office to get the Members signature to release tuition funds for the District's Louis Stokes Scholarship

- Continued to coordinate and submit required documentation with federal U.S. EPA officials regarding implementation of our prior appropriated Community Project Funding (CPF) - Submitted letter to U.S. EPA responding to the Biosolids risk assessment for PFAS - Submitted letter to the Army Corps of Engineers responding to the proposed 2026 Nationwide Permits - Performed advocacy to NE OH Congressional offices regarding PFAS related language proposed to the Senate NDAA, S. 2296

- Submitted letter from 27+ utility asking the Ohio Congressional Delegation to restore the State Revolving Loan Funds (SRF's) to their 2025 levels - Requested Earmark Application Feedback from OH Senator Offices - Performed advocacy around LIHWAP policy and funding including the standing alone bill of H.R. 4733 - Received notification from NE OH Congressional Member regarding earmark inclusion in the House Budget

- Attended and Participated in NE OH Congressional Member Small Business Expo (5/3) and Housing Expo (6/7) - Attended in person meetings with Ohio Senators and NE OH Congressional Members Offices for Water Week 2025 in April - sent warranted follow up information from the meeting - Met with OH Senator Northeast Ohio District Staff for Introduction Meeting - Attended GCP Empowering Local Leadership Conference which had attendance from OH Congressional Members and President Administration Officials

- Continued to coordinate and submit required documentation with federal U.S. EPA officials regarding implementation of our prior appropriated Community Project Funding (CPF) - Received request from U.S. EPA to discuss our PFAS Pretreatment Study - Requested a Letter of Support for Grant Opportunity for Doan Brook Restoration Near Horseshoe Lake Park Project to both OH Senator Offices and NE OH House Congressional Member - Invited both OH Senators and NE OH House Congressional Member to completion event for the West Creek Flume which received $7M in GLRI grant funding - CEO provided in person testimony to the 4/30 SRF Reauthorization Bill Hearing Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee - and provided written responses to follow up questions from Senators on the committee - Sent letter to OH Senator Office for support in preparation for the committee hearing

- Follow up Discussions on NEORSD Utility Assistance Resource Fairs (UARFS) and provided utility assistance guidance for a NE OH Congressional Member Upcoming Housing Expo - Confirmed NEORSD attendance and Participation to NE OH Congressional Member Small Business Expo (5/3) and Housing Expo (6/7) - Invited and Attended State of District Event for a NE OH Congressional Member - Sent Congratulations Letters to new Senators for Ohio - Requested in person meetings with Ohio Senators and NE OH Congressional Members Offices for Water Week 2025 in April -and shared meeting agenda beforehand with one NE OH Congressional Office as requested

- Continued to Coordinate and Submit required documentation with federal U.S. EPA officials regarding implementation of our prior appropriated community project funding (CPF) - Coordinated and Sent Support Letter to Ohio Senate Members Offices Requesting Liability for Water Utility Protections under CERCLA for PFAS and shared letter with House T&I Majority Staff

- Continued to Coordinate and Submit required documentation with federal U.S. EPA officials regarding implementation of our prior appropriated community project funding (CPF) - Coordinated and Sent Support Letter to All Ohio House and Senate Members Offices Requesting Liability for Water Utility Protections under CERCLA for PFAS - Expressed the Districts Support of the GLRI Authorization to an Ohio Senator Office

- Requested Final Logistical Information and Participated in a NE OH Delegation Members Housing Expo on 10/5 - Discussions on Potential District Assistance for NE OH Delegation Members Housing Expo in 2025 - Invited and coordinated a NE OH Delegation Member and Staff Tour of the Districts Utility Assistance Resource Fair (UARF) on 11/18

- Invited NE OH Members of Congress and staff to NEORSDs Annual Clean Water Fest - Provided participatory information and participated in NE OH Delegation Members Housing Expo - Received letter congratulating NEORSD on its completion of the Upper Ridgewood Basin Improvement Project from Ohio Senators office - Hosted NE OH Delegation Member and Staff for the Upper Ridgewood Basin Improvement Project Dedication Ceremony - Invited and hosted NE OH House Delegation Member and staff for a tour of one of our wastewater treatment plants - Invited NE OH delegation Member staff to attend presentation day for the Louis Stokes Scholars

- Continued to coordinate and submit required documentation with federal U.S. EPA officials regarding implementation of our prior appropriated community project funding (CPF) projects. - Received notice of U.S. EPA withdrawing its objection to the City of Euclid Clean Water Act permit from Ohio Senators office - Participated in a meeting with Health and Human Services (HHS) regarding LIHWAP and LIHWAP funding4 - Held meeting with NE OH delegation member staff regarding support of LIHWAP

- Requested NE OH House Delegation District Office Staffer Introduction Meeting - Extended invite for the Upper Ridgewood Basin Improvement Project Dedication Ceremony(a CPF/CDS Project Finish) and subsequent follow ups from both the NE OH House Member and Senate offices who were invited - Had meetings up with NEORSD CEO and various NE OH delegation House and Senate offices for April's Water Week - Put in a request to NE OH Office House Delegation Member office to visit and tour one of NEORSDs Hosted Utility Resource Fairs in her District later this year - Performed outreach to OH Senator Offices regarding their FCA Letter to U.S. EPA and had follow up conversations with those offices after post outreach

- Continued to coordinate and submit required documentation with federal U.S. EPA officials regarding implementation of our prior appropriated community project funding (CPF) projects. - Attended and participated in U.S. EPA Lake Guardian Boat Trip and attended U.S. EPA Press event after with NEORSD CEO. - Performed Outreach regarding Introduction of H.R. 7944, the Water Systems PFAS Liability Protection Act and H.R. 8032, the LIHWAP Establishment Act post Water Week Discussions - Relayed Support of S.1430, Water Systems PFAS Liability Protection Act and S.3830, the LIHWAP Establishment Act at Water Week Discussions - Had Follow up email and call on Water CERCLA exemption question with OH Sen staffer as discussed during Water Week - Attended and participated on call with U.S. EPA regarding affordability issues with renters and how NEORSD renter ratepayers can receive bill assistance from our internal cost savings programs

- Provided NEORSD quote to select Senate and House offices regarding the announcement of an CPF award included in the FY 2024 budget bill (H.R. 2617), the Baldwin Dell Haven Basin Improvement Project - Advocated for additional funding to be appropriated to the existing to the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) as they were finalizing of the FY 2024 appropriations bill - Advocated for our Senators support of S.1430, the Water Systems PFAS liability Act and consideration of any support to be relayed to Sen. Schumers office - Requested application information related to FY 2025 Community Project Funding (CPF) requests and Programmatic requests. Submitted 3 CPF requests to a Senator's office and submitted a Programmatic request to various NE OH delegation offices related to the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP), requesting $500 million in continued temporary funding to HHS

- Discussed and continued to coordinate with federal U.S. EPA officials regarding implementation of our prior appropriated community project funding (CPF) projects. Submitted one application for the Kingsbury Asset Renewal (KAR) project through grants.gov and submitted required workplan and incurred invoices.

- Met with various Senate and House staffers during the Greater Cleveland Partnerships Empowering Local Leadership Conference in October

- Submitted Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) Environmental Infrastructure (EI) projects to various House and Senate OH Delegation offices - Participated in Gorge Dam signing event with federal U.S. EPA officials and other partners in October - Discussed and coordinated with federal U.S. EPA officials regarding implementation of our prior appropriated community project funding (CPF) projects. Drew down $1 million on one of the projects and provided documentation for review for another project. - Reached out to Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) regarding a prior authorized WRDA EI project

- Shared Louis Stokes Scholarship Renewal draft MOU with House OH Delegation Member Office - Provided form to House OH Delegation Members Office to release the tuition funds for NEORSDs 2023 Louis Stokes Scholars year after completing their 10-week summer internship - Sent Invite to House OH Delegation Member District Staff to CSU Louis Stokes Scholars Summer Experience Presentation Day 2023 at NEORSD o Sharing electronic versions of program presentations from Scholars - Provided tour of NEORSD Stormwater Sites to House OH Delegation Member and District Office Staff o Also shared document outline and public letters that are federal items of interest to NEORSD o Also shared thank you letter to House OH Delegation Member for attending the tour visit - Invited various House and Senate OH Delegation offices Staffers to free local event hosted by Greater Cleveland Equity Partners (of which NEORSD is a member) on Why Plumbing Matters- Intersections with housing, sustainability & health - Invited various OH House and Senate Delegation offices to the Sewer Districts annual and free Clean Water Fest

We expressed gratitude to select Senate and House delegation offices regarding their submittal of District FY 2024 Appropriations Community Project Funding (CPF)/Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) requests to House and Senate appropriations committees. We continued project implementation dialogue with United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) regarding our Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) requests that were included and enacted in Congress H.R. 2471, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022. We had in person meetings in DC with select Senate and House Ohio delegation members and staff for Water Week. Topics of conversation included implementation of the LIHWAP (Low Income Household Water Assistance Program), U.S. EPA's Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GHGRF or GGRF), GLRI projects with District involvement, barriers identified in the State Revolving Loan (SRF) fund program, the impact of S.1453 - LOCAL Infrastructure Act on the District and various PFAS related items - applying for Emerging Contaminant Funding from IIJA (H.R.3684 - Investment, Infrastructure and Jobs Act) as well as commenting on U.S. EPA's draft CERCLA Enforcement Policy. We also made select House and Senate delegation offices aware of S. 1430 - Water Systems PFAS Liability Protection Act and the Districts interest in that bill. We provided staff from a select Senate office with a tour of one of our wastewater facilities. We received information from a select Senate office regarding a 2023 Ohio Women's Leadership Summit. We inquired with a select Senate office regarding more information on a Statewide Summer Camp program they hold annually and our interest in future participation opportunities. We had a discussion with a select House Congressional office to discuss the partnership and proposed program changes to the expiring Louis Stokes Scholarship MOU.

We submitted comments to U.S. EPA as it develops its PFAS Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) Enforcement and Discretion Policy. We provided information regarding beach monitoring a select Ohio House Delegation office who inquired about the formerly introduced BEACH Act of 2021, H.R. 5064. We participated on a call with HHS regarding implementation of the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) which received $500 million from American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and $638 million from Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 in appropriated funding.

We sent congratulations letters to select House and Senate Ohio Delegation offices congratulating them on their appointed leadership roles in committees/subcommittees and taskforces. We requested a discussion with a select House Congressional office to discuss the partnership and proposed program changes to the Louis Stokes Scholarship MOU.

We shared our submitted letter to U.S. EPAs Request for Information (RFI) for the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GHGRF) with select Senate and House Ohio delegation offices. We shared our submitted letter to U.S. EPA's PFAS Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) proposal with select House and Senate Ohio delegation offices and provided additional information to the offices that requested.

We requested approval from a Senate Delegation office to request a technical correction from Congress for one of our Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) requests that was included and enacted in Congress H.R. 2471, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022. We also continued project implementation dialogue with United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) regarding our Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) requests that were included and enacted in Congress H.R. 2471, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022. We confirmed the District POC and accuracy of information for two submitted FY 2023 Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) requests to a Senate Delegation Office. We also shared our trade association, NACWA,'s letter to congressional leadership urging them to waive the statutory Pay-as-You-Go-Act of 2010 (PAYGO) before the close of the 117th Congress and shared the failure to waive PAYGO's potential impact on NEORSD with select House and Senate Ohio Delegation offices.

We provided an project implementation update to select House and Senate Ohio Delegation offices regarding our Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) requests that were included and enacted in Congress H.R. 2471, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022. We also engaged in project implementation dialogue with United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) regarding our Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) requests that were included and enacted in Congress H.R. 2471, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022. We also inquired about a funding amount clarification to a select Senate Office for one of our submitted FY 2023 CDS' request. We also received notification of a press release from a select House Office regarding a Community Project Funding (CPF) request secured in the passed FY23 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies spending bill. We also notified select House and Senate Ohio Delegation offices of Ohio EPA's call to nominations period approaching for the Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund (SRF) which included the first year of the Infrastructure, Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) funding.

We engaged in dialogue with a select Senate Ohio Delegation office about our Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) requests that were included and enacted in Congress H.R. 2471, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 and the potential need for technical corrections. We also submitted FY 2023 CDS/CPF (Community Project Funding), specifically U.S. EPA State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG) requests to select Senate and House Ohio Member Offices and engaged in follow up dialogue and clarification needed related the projects. We thanked offices that included our projects in their submissions to appropriation committees.

We sent two letters to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) requesting clarifications and considerations for the State Revolving Fund (SRF) Build America, Buy America requirements (BABA) Waiver. - One letter we sent prior as the BABAA SRF waiver was being developed - sent in mid May 2022 - The other letter was sent after the BABAA SRF waiver was proposed - sent end of June 2022 We engaged in dialogue with select House and Senate Ohio Delegation offices about a NPDES permit concern involving the City of Euclid and U.S. EPA. We engaged in dialogue with select House and Senate Ohio Delegation offices regarding a local issue involving the Horseshoe Lake Dam. We received a thank you for our support of a Senate Resolution that passed that designated April 2022 as National Native Plant Month. We received a thank you from U.S. EPA responding to a letter we sent to Administrator Regan thanking him for coming to Cleveland and participating in the State of the Great Lakes Event at the City Club and sharing our local infrastructure proposal. We received a inquiry from a select Senate Ohio Office regarding a flooding issue in the City of Berea.

We sent additional letters to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) requesting clarifications and considerations for their portion of the Infrastructure and Investment and Jobs Act, H.R. 3684 funding implementation and how it pertains to water infrastructure. We shared those letters with select House and Senate Ohio Member Offices. Additional letters: - 1 letter sent directly and only to U.S. EPA (the first letter was sent prior to this reporting period) - 1 letter was sent to both U.S. EPA and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) - this was specifically related to the Build America, Buy America requirements (BABA) NEORSD's CEO testified before the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) committee regarding the funding formula for the Clean Water State Revolving Loan (SRF) Fund. We provided our submitted testimony to select Senate and House Ohio Member Offices as well as participated in brief meetings in offices during that visit.

We provided follow up information for meeting request we put in for an introduction meeting with a elected House Member. We also followed up on the request various times to meet, including requesting a meeting during an already planned visit to Washington, DC. We had an introduction meeting with a staffer in that office on a different occasion. We plan to reschedule a educational facility tour for Senate Ohio Member office staffer. We engaged with a Senate Ohio Member office and U.S. Department of Treasury regarding responsibilities and compliance for recipients and sub recipient of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. We requested support for a state capital budget request from a House Ohio Member office. They were not able to provide support due to the request not being related to duties at the federal level. We sent out a press release to select Senate and Ohio Member Offices regarding our enhanced cost savings programs updates.

We sent letters of gratitude to select House and Senate Ohio Member Offices that voted in support of the Infrastructure and Investment and Jobs Act, H.R. 3684. We communicated with a Senate Ohio Member Office relaying our interest in water infrastructure funding being distributed in the form of grants. We also sent U.S EPA a letter requesting clarifications and considerations for their portion of the Infrastructure and Investment and Jobs Act, H.R. 3684 bill implementation and how it pertains to water infrastructure. We shared that letter with select House and Senate Ohio Member Offices.

Relayed to select Senate and House Ohio Member Offices that one of our Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) requests made it into to the Senate subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill. We relayed our support to a House Ohio Member Offices regarding specific water related legislative initiatives in House drafted sections of the reconciliation bill, H.R.5376 - Build Back Better Act. The initiatives receiving support were the proposed $2 billion in sewer overflow grants and $500 million for low-income assistance to help pay water/sewer bills. We also shared to various Senate and House Ohio Member Delegation Offices our contribution to an op-ed regarding water funding needing to pass in the infrastructure/reconciliation proposals. (Had this in my last report but actually was in Oct 2021, correction)

We provided an House Ohio Delegation Member Office with a copy of Ohio's Draft Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) Plan that was out for public comment. The temporary funding source of LIHWAP comes from the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 as well as the American Rescue Plan Act, both passed by Congress.

We discussed with an House Ohio Delegation Member Office the State of Ohio's creation of a $250 million Water/Sewer Infrastructure Program using their American Rescue Plan Act funding.

We contributed to a Senate Ohio Member Office press release regarding a Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) Announcement of funding for the West Creek Flume Remediation Project. Also provided that finished press release to U.S. EPA Region 5.

We have been seeking federal infrastructure funding for local sewer projects.

It is not specific to a bill but we have been working on an energy efficiency/sustainability presentation to stakeholders in a member of Congress' district in collaboration with that member of Congress.

We provided support letter for Radhika Fox who was seeking confirmation as Assistant Administrator for the Office of Water in U.S EPA. The letter was sent and shared with the Senators and committee staffers on Senate EPW and OH U.S. Senator's offices.

Discussed water affordability and our concern with water utility shutoffs with various congressional offices.

Discussed appropriations bills policies and member guidance with various congressional offices. Submitted 2 community project funding (earmark requests) to Congresswoman Kaptur's office(submitted more in April but will be reflected in next lobbying report). Also submitted a program funding request of $225 million for U.S EPA's Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant Program to Congressman Joyce's office.

Discussed the potential of an infrastructure (typically discussed with transportation) bill with various congressional offices. Discussed when it will get drafted, how it would be drafted, what source funding it would be funded by and whether infrastructure earmarks would be included.

Expressed concern with water utility shutoff moratoriums.

Requested appropriation of $3 million for U.S. EPA to administer the Water Workforce Program (created in the 2018 WRDA) in the Fiscal Year 2021 Interior and Environment Appropriations bill.

Expressed support of extensions for FFCRA Leaves such as Emergency Paid Sick Leave (EPSL) and Public Health Emergency Leave (PHE).

H.R. 6800 HEROES Act - discussed legislative initiatives in the bill such as the $1.5 Billion for the Low Income Household Drinking Water and Wastewater Assistance Program. Also discussed the need for more specific water/wastewater utility stimulus funding.

Expressed concern with a PFAS in schools letter that Congressional Members Levin, Kildee, Dingell, and Slotkin were sending EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler, Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos and Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar.

Requested (via a letter) and discussed (via calls) needed federal utility assistance; support for customer affordability programs; and expressed concerns with federally mandated suspension of service terminations. Also discussed NEORSD revenue losses including delinquencies and direct COVID-19 costs as well our advocacy efforts towards state and local entities to receive CARES Act, S.3548 funding for our customers struggling to pay their sewer bills. Also requested and participated in calls for United for Infrastructure Week, where we stressed the importance of water infrastructure, funding etc.

H.R 2 - Invest in America Act (now Moving Forward Act)- discussed legislative initiatives such as infrastructure funding, stormwater run off etc.

Requested that subsequent phases of economic stimulus legislation address the massive economic impacts that the coronavirus pandemic has had on water and wastewater systems. Discussed revenue losses, covid expenses, the impact on low income communities etc. However, did not specifically lobby on the HEROES Act.

S.3591 - Americas Water Infrastructure Act of 2020 - requested appropriation request Deadlines and discussed legislative initiatives.

H.R.748 - CARES ACT - requested that subsequent phases of economic stimulus legislation address the massive economic impacts from the coronavirus pandemic on water and wastewater systems.

Low-Income Water Customer Assistance Program (LIWCAP) bill S.2687 - 116th Congress (2019-2020) & H.R.4832 - 116th Congress (2019-2020)

National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) (H.R. 2500) Specific Provisions: 1. Trigger cleanup liability for biosolids, ash and other materials containing PFAS as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). 2. Require EPA to develop CWA effluent limitations and pretreatment standards for PFAS.

Draft Low-Income Water Customer Assistance Program (LIWCAP) bill - not yet introduced

S.Res.290 - Senate resolution celebrating 50 years of environmental progress in the Cuyahoga River Valley and Lake Erie

National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) (H.R. 2500) Specific Provisions: 1. Trigger cleanup liability for biosolids, ash and other materials containing PFAS as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). 2. Require EPA to develop CWA effluent limitations and pretreatment standards for PFAS.

President's Budget - GLRI, Interior Bill Continuing Resolutions Environmental Bills Infrastructure Bills

President's Budget - GLRI, Interior Bill Continuing Resolutions Environmental Bills Infrastructure Bills

President's Budget - GLRI, Interior Bill Continuing Resolutions Environmental Bills Infrastructure Bills