Last week US Senator Jeff Merkley introduced legislation that would create a new program to cancel utility debts for millions of low-income households and bail out struggling utility companies The Maintaining Access to Essential Services Act of 2021 would provide $30 billion in low-interest loans for electric, water and sewage …
Read More »Emergency Oasis Act aims to protect communities from drinking water contamination
Rep. Raul Ruiz, D-Palm Desert, introduced legislation last week that would alter the way the federal government enforces clean drinking water requirements. According to Ruiz, H.R. 3286, the Emergency Order Assurance, Safety, and Inspection of water Systems (Emergency OASIS Act) would strengthen Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ability to protect communities from …
Read More »Governor Newsom Announces $5.1 Billion Package for Water Infrastructure and Drought Response
Earlier this week Governor Gavin Newsom proposed a $5.1 billion package of drought response and long-term water resilience investments to address immediate, emergency needs, build regional capacity to endure drought and safeguard water supplies. “Shoring up our water resilience, especially in small and disadvantaged communities, is imperative to safeguarding the …
Read More »Biden Administration Unveils Plan Including $111 Billion for Water Infrastructure
The Biden Administration unveiled a more than $2 trillion infrastructure package Wednesday which included $111 billion earmarked for improvements to the nation’s drinking water infrastructure. The American Jobs Plan highlights the need to upgrade and modernize America’s drinking water, wastewater, and storm water systems; including replacing lead pipes, tackling new …
Read More »Garcia introduces legislation to Reauthorize Provisions of the WIIN Act
Earlier this week Representative Mike Garcia (CA-25) introduced a bill in congress to extend provisions of the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act through fiscal year 2028. California has had below average precipitation for the last five months and all indicators are pointing to a critically dry year, …
Read More »Sen. Hurtado introduces legislation to Repair State Water Project and Central Valley Project Infrastructure
Last week Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger) introduced legislation aimed at providing more than $750 million to restore California’s water delivery infrastructure and repair aging roads and bridges. Senate Bill 559, State Water Resiliency Act of 2021, will fund repairs to the Friant-Kern Canal, Delta-Mendota Canal, San Luis Canal and California …
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