Itron, Inc. has released its second annual Itron Resourcefulness Index, a global survey and benchmark of the state of resourcefulness across energy and water.

Itron, Inc. has been honored with the 2014 North America Frost & Sullivan Company of the Year Award for the smart city market. The award recognizes Itron?s smart city growth strategy and excellence in implementation.

Last week, Rep. John Duncan (R-Tenn.) and Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.) introduced the Sustainable Water Infrastructure Investment Act of 2015, which would remove water and wastewater projects from private activity bond (PAB) state volume caps.

Nearly $40 million in federal funds will go to projects across Michigan and the Great Lakes region to improve water quality, protect forest habitat and minimize soil erosion under grants announced this morning by U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow’s office.

ARCADIS announced it has appointed John Jastrem to the position of CEO of its North American activities effective Jan. 15, 2015. Per the same date, ARCADIS appointed Joachim Ebert to the position of COO for North America.

The AWWA Board of Directors has elected Jeanne Bennett-Bailey of Fairfax, Va., as the association?s next president-elect and chose four new vice presidents and one new director-at-large.

Last week, the U.S. Water Alliance announced the recipients of its prestigious U.S. Water Prize for 2015. This year?s winners are the City of San Diego, The Coca-Cola Company and the Electric Power Resource Institute.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has launched the Water Infrastructure and Resiliency Finance Center to help communities across the country improve their wastewater, drinking water and stormwater systems.

Last week, two Ohio lawmakers reintroduced legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives that addresses toxic algal blooms in drinking water sources.

Ben Grumbles confirmed last week via his monthly column on the U.S. Water Alliance website, that he will be leaving his position as president of the organization in light of his recent nomination to become Maryland Secretary of the Environment.