Tag Archive for: Governor Newsom

Opinion: A Trump-Newsom Agreement on Water? Public Has the Right to Know

/in , /by /The Mercury Newsby Scott Artis and Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla

There’s a lot to be nervous about in today’s world. Here’s another: President Trump and Gov. Gavin Newsom are talking about the future of the environmentally threatened San Francisco Bay-Delta. On Feb. 5, they met at the White House to discuss fire relief and water issues. Neither party revealed what water issues were discussed or if an agreement was reached. The public and the people who depend on the health of the magnificent Bay-Delta ecosystem, have a right to know the details of these private talks. And they have cause to be concerned.

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Why the Election Might not Matter for California Water

/in , /by /Politicoby Camille Von Kaenel

Former President Donald Trump and Gov. Gavin Newsom want you to believe they’re on opposite ends of the spectrum on California water. But their policies aren’t drastically different — and both lean toward the Republican-leaning farmers of the Central Valley.

On the campaign trail, Trump has promised to force Newsom to turn on the faucet for water-strapped farmers if he is elected. Meanwhile, Newsom today finalized rules that insulate the state’s endangered fish protections from federal changes.

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Newsom Issues Executive Order on Rising Electric Bills — But How Much Will it Help?

/in , /by /The San Diego Union-Tribuneby Rob Nikolewski

Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order Wednesday aimed at finding ways to reduce rising electricity bills that beleaguered customers pay each month — although the order did not offer specific dollar figures and timetables.

One of the major drivers of higher bills comes from spending by the state’s investor-owned utilities such as San Diego Gas & Electric on programs to reduce the risk of wildfires. SDG&E, for example, has spent about $5 billion in ratepayer money since the deadly Witch Creek, Guejito and Rice wildfires in 2007 that destroyed more than 1,300 homes, killed two people and injured 40 firefighters.

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Newsom Goes North for a Climate Fight

/in , /by /Politicoby Jordan Wolman

California is in the very early stages of making it easier for desalination plants along the coast.

The State Water Resources Control Board took the first step today toward changing its ocean protection standards to make it faster to permit desalination plants and to clarify how and when developers measure and mitigate the harm to marine life. The effort is part of Newsom’s strategy to boost supplies as the climate changes.

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California Looks to Streamline Desalination Plants

/in , /by /E&E Newsby Camille von Kaenel

State water regulators are in the early stages of easing environmental rules for desalination plants along California’s coast to boost water supplies as the climate changes.

The State Water Resources Control Board kick-started its process to amend its ocean protection standards for desalination plants at a scoping meeting Monday after Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered the regulator to consider streamlining new projects in August 2022.

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Amid Controversy, California and the Biden Administration are Preparing New Water Plans

/in , /by /Los Angeles Timesby Ian James

The Biden and Newsom administrations will soon adopt new rules for California’s major water delivery systems that will determine how much water may be pumped from rivers while providing protections for imperiled fish species.

But California environmental groups, while supportive of efforts to rewrite the rules, are criticizing the proposed changes and warning that the resulting plans would fail to protect fish species that are declining toward extinction in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta and San Francisco Bay.

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California Increases Fines for Unauthorized Water Diversions and Uses

/in , /by /The National Law Reviewby Tara E. Paul and Ryan Chen

As California prepares for future cycles of water scarcity, the Legislature continues to prioritize enhancing regulations to address critical water supply needs, secure the rights of diverse water holders, and protect essential environmental resources.

On September 22, 2024, Governor Newsom signed AB 460 into law, a bill that significantly increases fines for unauthorized water diversions and other violations of state orders related to water use.

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Securing California’s Future Water Supply is Critical

/in , /by /Capitol Weeklyby Joseph Cruz and Craig Miller

Unless a new bill to grow California’s essential water supply, SB 366 (Caballero), is signed into law, our only progress on water supply this year – as this summer’s record temperatures foreshadow potential droughts to come – will be another, dubious conservation mandate, which is a multi-billion-dollar effort for a miniscule volume of water.

SB 366 is where state policy should start: With an overall target for a sustainable, statewide water supply, and a timeline to achieve that target. Our legislators agree: The legislature has done the right thing with the bill passing both the Assembly and Senate without receiving a single “no” vote and now needs only Gov. Newsom’s signature by Sept. 30 to become law.

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Without a Statewide Water Supply Target, California’s Future is at Risk

/in , , /by /Capitol Weeklyby Heather Dyer and Graham Knaus

If you don’t already know, it will surprise you to learn that for all the attention that our state’s water supply receives in California – for all the worry and effort it takes to make sure there’s enough for our 40 million residents, 24 million acres of farmland, countless acres of natural environment, and status as the world’s fifth-largest economy (of which its agriculture and environment are huge parts) – no statewide goal exists to ensure a sustainable water supply for California’s future. What big, bold vision has ever been achieved without first setting a goal?

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Gov. Newsom’s Draft Budget Funds Sustainable Ag

/in , /by /Capital Pressby Sierra Dawn McClain

Gov. Gavin Newsom has released his proposed state budget, which includes provisions for sustainable agriculture programs in California.

The proposed budget directs money to the state’s Climate Smart Agriculture programs, including the Healthy Soils Program and SWEEP, the State Water Efficiency Program.

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