Ben Grumbles takes over the reins at the Clean Water Alliance

Say hello to the Clean Water Alliance. From their website:

The 501(c)(3) nonprofit Clean Water America Alliance (CWAA) is working today to explore the complex issue of water sustainability and plan for the future by improving public awareness that advances holistic, watershed-based approaches to water quality and quantity challenges. A broad cross-section of interests have come together through the Alliance to begin an important dialogue on the future – focusing on exploring and analyzing issues of critical importance to the nation’s ability to provide clean and safe waters to future generations, offering information and education to citizens and policy-makers on key issues, and recognizing organizations and individuals for innovation and outstanding achievements in the water quality and quantity arena.

Here’s the Grumbles’ announcement (Lorraine Lokin):

The Clean Water America Alliance welcomes Ben Grumbles, a dynamic water policy leader, as its new President beginning in December. A passionate civil servant, Grumbles served as Director of the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality and is the longest serving Assistant Administrator for Water at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). “The Alliance is uniquely positioned to make a big difference and improve water policy nationally and locally,” explains Grumbles. “I’m honored to have the chance to help unite, rather than divide, people and interests and make meaningful progress sustaining America’s most precious liquid asset.”

Grumbles has served on the Alliance Board of Directors since April 2009 and chaired the organization’s national dialogue series which concluded this past September. He succeeds Ken Kirk, who shepherded the Alliance for its first three years. Kirk will continue his role as the Executive Director of the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA). “New leadership is critical at this time to move the Alliance forward” says Kirk. “I believe strongly in the organization’s objectives and will continue to participate in other capacities going forward.”

While serving as the Director of the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, Grumbles focused on three priority areas: conservation and reuse of water (e.g. wastewater recycling), clean energy and climate change (e.g. solar power, vehicle emissions, uranium mining), and collaboration (e.g. the Colorado River, the Mexican Border, e-waste recycling). While serving as the Assistant Administrator for Water at the U.S. EPA he led its National Water Program from January 2004 – January 2009. He also served as associate administrator for EPA’s Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations in 2004, working with mayors, governors, and state and federal legislators.

Prior to EPA, Grumbles worked as a Senior Counsel for the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and Environmental Counsel and Deputy Chief of Staff for the Science Committee. He also taught for 10 years at the Environmental Law Program of George Washington University Law School from 1994 to 2004. Ben has a BA degree in English from Wake Forest University in North Carolina, a JD degree from Emory Law School in Georgia, and an LLM (Masters) degree in environmental law from George Washington Law School in Washington, D.C.

Their Urban Water Sustainability Leadership Conference is next week.