Key committee OKs Wolk legislation to help prepare for state's water needs
California Political Desk
April 04, 2008
SACRAMENTO–The Assembly Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee voted this week to approve two bills by Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) to help prepare for some of the state´s most critical water challenges.
"With California´s outdated water infrastructure, a dwindling snow pack, and increasing risk of massive Delta levee failure, this state is struggling to provide for the water needs of its growing population," Wolk said. "While water debates continue to rage, these bills help prepare for the state´s long-term water supply needs by doing things most water advocates agree should be done now. That includes taking the first steps toward addressing climate change in our water planning, encouraging water conservation, and providing for the immediate needs of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, the heart of California´s water and agricultural system."
The committee heard both bills Tuesday, voting 9-4 to support Wolk´s AB 2501, which requires water planners to begin incorporating known risks climate change poses to the State´s water supply into existing water plans. The bill also appropriates existing bond funds to the most urgently needed actions to protect California´s water supply, including climate change planning, while addressing critical environmental issues arising out of our water system such as the crisis in the Delta.
Wolk´s AB 2882, which authorizes water suppliers to use water rate structures proven to result in significant conservation, received unanimous, bipartisan support.
"At a time when California faces significant and ongoing water supply shortfalls, my AB 2882 will go far toward improving and expanding water conservation across the state by enabling water suppliers to use a rate structure that encourages customers to reduce their water consumption," Wolk said in her testimony.
AB 2501 is supported by The Natural Resources Defense Council and Planning and Conservation League, and will next be heard in the Assembly Natural Resources Committee.
AB 2882 is cosponsored by Irvine Ranch Water District and Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority, and supported by numerous other water agencies as well as the Surfrider Foundation.
The bill will next be heard in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
"With California´s outdated water infrastructure, a dwindling snow pack, and increasing risk of massive Delta levee failure, this state is struggling to provide for the water needs of its growing population," Wolk said. "While water debates continue to rage, these bills help prepare for the state´s long-term water supply needs by doing things most water advocates agree should be done now. That includes taking the first steps toward addressing climate change in our water planning, encouraging water conservation, and providing for the immediate needs of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, the heart of California´s water and agricultural system."
The committee heard both bills Tuesday, voting 9-4 to support Wolk´s AB 2501, which requires water planners to begin incorporating known risks climate change poses to the State´s water supply into existing water plans. The bill also appropriates existing bond funds to the most urgently needed actions to protect California´s water supply, including climate change planning, while addressing critical environmental issues arising out of our water system such as the crisis in the Delta.
Wolk´s AB 2882, which authorizes water suppliers to use water rate structures proven to result in significant conservation, received unanimous, bipartisan support.
"At a time when California faces significant and ongoing water supply shortfalls, my AB 2882 will go far toward improving and expanding water conservation across the state by enabling water suppliers to use a rate structure that encourages customers to reduce their water consumption," Wolk said in her testimony.
AB 2501 is supported by The Natural Resources Defense Council and Planning and Conservation League, and will next be heard in the Assembly Natural Resources Committee.
AB 2882 is cosponsored by Irvine Ranch Water District and Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority, and supported by numerous other water agencies as well as the Surfrider Foundation.
The bill will next be heard in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
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