April 10, 2014
ACWA-Sponsored Bill on Recycled Water Pipeline Projects Headed for Hearing
Support Letters Needed for Assembly Natural Resources Committee
The Assembly Natural Resources Committee will soon consider AB 2417, ACWA-sponsored legislation that would cut red tape for local communities to install, maintain and operate recycled water pipelines, also known as “purple pipes.”
Authored by Assembly Member Adrin Nazarian (D-Sherman Oaks), AB 2417 would exempt new and existing pipeline projects — so long as they are eight miles or shorter and distribute recycled water within a public street, highway or right-of-way — from the extensive and time-consuming California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) process. A similar exemption already exists for oil and gas pipelines. Recycled water pipelines would continue to be subject to strict California Department of Public Health implementation guidelines.
ACWA and the bill’s other co-sponsors, the California Municipal Utilities Association and WaterReuse California, believe expediting the development of water recycling pipelines is one way California can augment its water supply, increase water conservation and preserve potable water for human consumption amid the state’s current drought. The legislation also would help California reach its goal of an additional 1 million acre-feet of recycled water by 2020 and reduce energy costs and consumption incurred from importing water.
Although the Assembly Natural Resources Committee has not yet set a hearing date for AB 2417, ACWA is asking member agencies to submit letters ahead of time to build support.
Please click this “Take Action Now” link to edit and send the sample letter below to members of the Assembly Committee on Natural Resources. Please be sure to edit the sections of the letter referencing your agency name and add information within the body of the letter explaining how your local agency and specific projects would benefit from AB 2417. A list of committee members is also provided below for your reference.
Members of the Assembly Natural Resources Committee
Assembly Member Frank Bigelow
Fax: (916) 319-2105
Assembly Member Wesley Chesbro, Chair
Fax: (916) 319-2102
Assembly Member Cristina Garcia
Fax: (916) 319-2158
Assembly Member Shannon Grove, Vice Chair
Fax: (916) 319-2134
Assembly Member Al Muratsuchi
Fax: (916) 319-2166
Assembly Member Jim Patterson
Fax: (916) 319-2123
Assembly Member Nancy Skinner
Fax: (916) 319-2115
Assembly Member Mark Stone
Fax: (916) 319-2129
Assembly Member Das Williams
Fax: (916) 319-2137
Lawrence Lingbloom, Chief Consultant, Assembly Committee on Natural Resources
Fax: (916) 319-2192
April<Date>, 2014
The Honorable <Insert Name Here>
Assembly Natural Resources Committee
State Capitol, Room <Insert #>
Sacramento, CA 95814
RE: AB 2417 (Nazarian)
POSITION: SUPPORT
Dear Assembly Member <Insert Name>,
On behalf of <Insert Agency Name Here>, I am writing to express our support for AB 2417 (Nazarian) relating to an exemption for recycled water pipelines of eight miles or less from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Assembly Bill 2417 would exempt from CEQA projects that construct or install new water recycling pipelines or involve maintenance, repair, restoration, reconditioning, relocation, replacement, removal or demolition of an existing pipeline, not exceeding eight miles in length, for the distribution of recycled water within a public street, highway or right-of-way.
Water recycling is a key water conservation tool that could help address the water shortages many communities are facing because of this year’s drought. For every gallon of recycled water that is used, another gallon of potable water is conserved and can be used for household consumption.
The exemption AB 2417 proposes would help expand the availability of recycled water for use by industry or landscape irrigators, would help California meet its recycled water goal of an additional 1 million acre-feet by 2020, and would reduce energy costs from importing water.
<Insert Agency Name Here> and <Insert benefits gained by your agency> and < Insert specific projects>
For the aforementioned reasons, <Insert Agency Name Here> supports AB 2417 and respectfully requests your “AYE” vote when the bill is heard in the Assembly Natural Resources Committee.
Sincerely,
Name
Position
Agency Name
cc: The Honorable Adrin Nazarian
Lawrence Lingbloom, Chief Consultant, Assembly Committee on Natural Resources
