Building TAP50 with States

In October, New America and the Environmental Policy Innovation Center (EPIC) are bringing together an intimate, forward-looking group of state agency leaders, technologists, and thought partners from across states and sectors—leading experts in water policy, open data, civic tech, and a range of environmental issues—to reimagine how states can improve water decision-making and outcomes by leveraging better data. The premise of this day-long convening is a shared belief in the urgency of improving how water and water data are managed in and across states—as well as what agency and community leaders alike need to find and close decision gaps. The idea they hope to co-design and pressure-test with states is what they’re calling TAP50: a state-focused, cross-sector partnership built hand-in-hand with states to clarify—and then help meet—their water data needs.

In a recent blog post, Digital Service for the Planet Fellow and EPIC Senior Fellow for Water Data Policy Surabhi Shah and EPIC Director of Water Denise Schmidt share the vision behind TAP50 and why collaboration with states is central to its success.