The Water Conservation Source » legislation

Governor’s task force recommends 40% reduction in per capita water use by 2050

Editor — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:54:52 +0000

SAN FRANCISCO- The California Legislature is debating a bill that would aim to reduce the per capita use of water by 20 percent by the year 2020. It is an ambitious goal. But it is only the start. The governor’s delta task force is recommending a 40 percent reduction in per-capita water use by 2050, and more after that. Conservation is no longer just a civic virtue. It is fast emerging as a statewide necessity. There is no longer the assurance that a healthy snowpack in March means a healthy water supply come May.

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Source: San Francisco Gate

Legislative package to address California’s water and environmental needs

Editor — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 23:56:44 +0000

NRDC, SACRAMENTO, CA (July 14, 2008) –

California Senate President pro Tem Don Perata and Assembly Speaker Karen Bass today announced their intention to send critical water conservation legislation to Governor Schwarzenegger this year. AB 2175, a water conservation bill, is co-authored by Assembly Members John Laird and Michael Feuer, and sponsored by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). The legislation directs the state to reduce per capita urban water use 20 percent by 2020 and would require agricultural water users to implement efficient water management practices.

“California can be smarter and more efficient in the way we use water,” said Ronnie Cohen, senior policy analyst at NRDC. “Water efficiency can help assure safe and reliable drinking water supplies, save consumers and businesses money, and help us build a stronger economy. Increased water conservation will be particularly important as we face the likely impacts of global warming on California’s water supply.”

Also in the legislative package announced today is SB 1xx (Perata), which appropriates more than $800 million from existing bonds to improve water supply reliability, water quality, flood management, conservation, and ecosystem restoration.

“Improving California’s water management requires smart investment now,” said Cohen. “Thanks to the generosity of California’s voters, the state already has real money available to take action. SB 1xx is needed to make a difference now.”

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Source: National Resources Defense Council

For more information on water conservation, visit www.nuprana.com

Senate passes bill to protect Great Lakes

Editor — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 21:09:22 +0000

CHICAGO — Efforts to protect the Great Lakes from those who may covet their vast quantities of water for an increasingly thirsty world took a major step forward Friday as the Senate passed legislation endorsing the Great Lakes Basin Compact.

The broad multi-state agreement would ban most diversion of Great Lakes water to any place outside the basin and would mandate conservation efforts inside it. Despite what some criticized as significant loopholes in the measure, House leaders said the bill would be a priority after the five-week congressional recess, and President Bush has said he would sign it.

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Source: The Chicago Tribune

For more information on water conservation, visit www.nuprana.com