ACWA eNews for July 3, 2013

  • by BPC Staff
  • on July 8, 2013
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ACWA’s eNews is a weekly roundup of California water news and events.

AB 145 Clears Senate Health Committee; Discussions to Continue

The Senate Health Committee approved ACWA-opposed legislation today that would move the state’s drinking water program from the Department of Public Health to the State Water Resources Control Board.

Assembly Committee Gets Look at Proposed Water Bond Principles

Lawmakers got a first look at proposed principles for reshaping the 2014 water bond during a presentation July 2 before the Assembly Water, Parks & Wildlife Committee.

Assembly Member Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood), who chairs the committee, outlined principles developed by a working group in recent weeks to move the discussion forward. The group, composed of Assembly Democrats, was selected by Assembly Speaker John Pérez and led by Rendon.

Blog Post: ACWA Members Highlight Concerns with AB 145

With the Senate Health Committee set to hear AB 145 (Perea) this week, water agencies throughout the state are voicing concerns about the bill and its potential negative consequences for the state’s drinking water program.

Draft EIS Released on Impacts of Raising Shasta Dam

The 90-day public comment period opened today on the Bureau of Reclamation’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement on the Shasta Lake Water Resources Investigation (SLWRI), a study which examines the impacts of raising Shasta Dam.

Governor Makes July ‘Water Smart Month’

With temperatures rising and the state’s reservoirs dropping, Gov. Jerry Brown is calling July “Water Smart Month” and he’s urging Californians to conserve water indoors and outdoors.

“July is the perfect time to increase water awareness throughout the state,” Brown wrote June 28.  “The snow packs are shrinking and the state will not see its reservoirs begin to fill again until fall. Low consumption practices and technology will help keep water in the streams and lakes for all to enjoy.”

Flex Alert Issued for Northern California July 1 and July 2

With a triple-digit heat wave bearing down on Northern California and with a major power generation unit offline, the California Independent System Operator has issued a Flex Alert for Northern California only for today and Tuesday. No Flex Alert is issued for Southern California as temperatures have moderated, but watch for updates on www.caiso.com.

 

ACWA Becomes Founding Partner in Science Education Center

ACWA has become a founding partner in a new science learning center that will educate Californians about water’s vital role in shaping the state’s past, present and future.

 

The new Powerhouse Science Center in Sacramento is expected to be a field trip destination for schoolchildren and a regional attraction for people of all ages, exposing hundreds of thousands of Californians each year to scientific information they can share with their local community.

Senate Holds Klamath Hearing

The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources conducted a hearing on water issues in the Klamath River Basin on June 20. The main topic of focus was the Klamath Agreements, a set of non-binding agreement composed of the Klamath Hydroelectric Settlement Agreement (KHSA) and the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement (KBRA). These agreements were signed in 2010 by over 40 parties involved in the dispute over water rights.

Governor Signs Balanced, On-Time 2013-14 Budget

Gov. Jerry Brown on June 27 signed a balanced, on-time state budget that includes funding for implementing federal health care reform and significant funding increases for education.

The $96.3 billion spending plan also contains provisions to pay down the state’s debt and build its reserve to $1.1 billion.

ACWA Seeks Legislative Proposals for Next Year

ACWA is seeking legislative proposals from its member agencies for the second year of the 2013-2014 legislative session.

The deadline to submit proposals is Friday, Sept. 6. The association’s State Legislative Committee will hear presentations and consider proposals at its meeting on Oct. 25 in Sacramento.

Agencies submitting legislative proposals for ACWA to sponsor or support next year should:

Inherently Safer Technology Discussed at Senate Hearing

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee held a hearing titled “Oversight of Federal Risk Management and Emergency Planning Programs to Prevent and Address Chemical Threats, Including the Events Leading Up to the Explosions in West, TX and Geismar, LA” on June 27.

The late Sen.Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) was a long-time advocate on chemical security issues in the Senate, and this hearing, chaired by Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), was the first time this issue was discussed by the EPW Committee without Lautenberg present.

Obama Reveals Climate Action Plan

President Obama released a Climate Action Plan on June 25 that calls for reducing emissions from existing power plants, strengthens EPA’s proposal for future power plants emission standards, and promotes more renewable energy projects on federal lands. The actions outlined in the plan do not require Congressional legislation.

Senate Energy and Water Bill Advances

The Senate Appropriations committee today approved a Fiscal Year 2014 Energy and Water Appropriations bill. Of interest to ACWA members, the bill funds the Bureau of Reclamation and the Army Corps of Engineers. The bill’s overall funding level totals $34.773 billion, which is $1.96 billion below the fiscal year 2013 enacted level. The bill next moves to full consideration on the Senate floor.

Bureau of Reclamation

CVP Restoration Fund Discussed at House Hearing

The House Water and Power Subcommittee held a hearing on June 26 focusing on hydropower projects, titled “The Power Marketing Administrations: A Ratepayer’s Perspective.”

Opinion Piece: Better Approach Needed on Drinking Water Issues

Disadvantaged communities with contaminated drinking water sources need solutions, but one measure moving through the Legislature reaches too far and could diminish the focus on public health, ACWA’s Cindy Tuck and Bruce Pomer of the Health Officers Assocation of California write in an op-ed published today in The Sacramento Bee.

Read the complete piece on AB 145 (Perea) and the need for targeted solutions here.

ACWA Region 1 Program Take it from the Tap: Promoting Drink Local Campaigns

Fri, 07/19/2013 – 10:00am – 2:30pm

Location: 

Santa Rosa, CA

  

ACWA Region 1 Program

Take it From the Tap:

Promoting Drink Local Campaigns

 

 

ACWA 2013 Regulatory Summit

Wed, 08/14/2013 – 8:06am – 5:07pm

Location: 

Embassy Suites Mandalay Beach, Oxnard

Please join us for the third annual ACWA Regulatory Summit at Embassy Suites Mandalay Beach in Oxnard, CA on August 14, 2013!

 

Past, Present and Future: Effectively Managing California’s Groundwater Resources

 

The Summit will include topics such as:

  • It’s Finally Here: Draft CA Maximum Contaminant Level for Hexavalent Chromium
  • UCMR3

Event and Registration Information

 

Energy and Water Nexus Summit 2

Thu, 09/12/2013 – 9:00am – 4:00pm

Location: 

Aquarium of the Bay, Pier 39, San Francisco

Building on the conversation started last year at the first Energy and Water Nexus Summit, the Second Summit will be an all-day event, exploring the developments, challenges, innovations and considerations around energy and water in Northern California.

The session is sponsored by the Bay Planning Coalition and co-sponsored by ACWA and other organizations.

Topics of discussion will include:

Water and Energy needs for food production, processing and transport

Registration and information

 

ACWA Emissary and Best in Blue Awards Deadline

Tue, 09/03/2013

Location: 

910 K Street, Sacramento, CA 95814-3577

ACWA Awards