This language is from a bill currently in the House. It may be related to proposed initiatives arising from a recent Asset Management Summit. I'll bring you more news as my super-secret Washington moles determine just what this is all about and how likely it is to become law!

SEC. 102. NATIONAL CENTER FOR UTILITY MANAGEMENT.

Section 104 (33 U.S.C. 1254) is further amended by adding at the end the following:

(x) Establishment of a National Center for Utility Management-

(1) GRANT- The Administrator may make a grant to an appropriate nonprofit organization to establish a National Center for Utility Management for the purpose of promoting improved management of public wastewater utilities, including the use of best management practices with respect to comprehensive asset management, worker training and flexibility, information systems, financial planning, and financial reporting.
(2) FUNCTIONS- The functions of the National Center for Utility Management shall include, at a minimum, the following:
(A) Developing best practices for utility management.
(B) Coordinating relevant studies and development activities conducted at university-based training and technical assistance centers.
(C) Coordinating ongoing and planned initiatives to promote best practices for utility management within and across the wastewater program.
(D) Exploring opportunities to take advantage of best management practices and informational materials developed by other agencies (including the Office of Asset Management in the Federal Highway Administration).
(E) Strengthening efforts to educate utilities and local government leaders about the optimal use of best practices for utility management, through handbooks, software, workshops, the establishment of a website, and other steps to assure that wastewater utilities, regardless of size, have easy access to information about best practices for utility management.
(F) In undertaking these functions, providing appropriate attention to the needs and circumstances of utilities that serve not more than 20,000 users and are located in a rural area.
(4) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- There is authorized to be appropriated from the Clean Water Trust Fund established by section 701 $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2010 to carry out this subsection.'.