Over the last two weeks, the White House has issued a series of executive orders and subsequent memoranda regarding funding freezes and other important matters. WateReuse Association recognizes that the rapid release of multiple—and sometimes conflicting—directives has created confusion across the country, including across national and local media outlets. On Thursday, the White House rescinded the implementation guidance that it had circulated to heads of federal departments and agencies; however, it clarified that President Trump’s recent executive orders remain in effect. This includes the President’s executive order entitled Unleashing American Energy, which directs federal departments and agencies to freeze a subset of federal programs pending review. Meanwhile, a federal judge in Rhode Island was poised to grant an injunction against the freeze.
It is our interpretation that water reuse programs administered by the Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and other federal departments and agencies will not be frozen under President Trump’s recent executive orders. We do, however, expect federal agencies and departments to be reviewing all programs to ensure alignment with the President’s priorities. This review may cause delays in the execution of agreements, disbursement of funds, and general implementation of programs.
To learn more about last week’s White House memo and other relevant executive actions, read our most recent member alert. | 
