Beginning January 1, 2025, the “Making Conservation a California Way of Life” regulatory framework requires urban retail water suppliers — not individual households or businesses — to adopt a series of “urban water use...more
In 2024, after years of deliberation, California water officials adopted landmark rules that will guide future water use and conservation in the state. The “Making Conservation a California Way of Life” framework went into...more
Like much of the western and southwestern U.S., California has experienced drought conditions on and off for decades. Fortunately, the regulatory landscape is starting to catch up with water treatment technology, paving the...more
On January 10, 2023, Governor Gavin Newsom announced his $297 billion budget proposal for 2023-2024, which includes a $22.5 billion budget deficit. Despite environmental/climate change programs facing $6 billion in cuts,...more
EPA floats sharply increased social cost of carbon - E&E News – November 21 - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed a new estimate for the social cost of carbon emissions, nearly quadrupling an interim...more
Overview The Department of the Interior (DOI) recently announced the newly created Lower Colorado River Basin System Conservation and Efficiency Program (the “Program”), funded through the $4 billion pot of money in the...more
Lawmakers from both parties, in both houses of Congress, have proposed bills intended to speed up forest-management projects that reduce wildfire fuels, like brush and small trees, which can cause large-scale fires of the...more
Biden administration outlines plan to pay for Colorado River water cuts as crisis looms - CNN – October 12 As concerns grow over the future of the drought-plagued Colorado River system, the Biden administration has announced...more
Governor Newsom calls for boosting water supply projects to curb California drought and climate change - The Vacaville Reporter – August 11 Governor Gavin Newsom released a broad plan on August 11 seeking to expand...more
EPA moves to give states and tribes more power to protect water - Associated Press - June 2 - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Thursday proposed to undo a Trump-era rule limiting the power of states and...more
California attorney general subpoenas ExxonMobil, opens major investigation into plastic pollution - The Mercury News - April 28 - California Attorney General Rob Bonta on Thursday announced a major investigation into...more
EPA to propose first-ever PFAS discharge limits - The Hill – September 8 - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on Wednesday that it will propose a rule to set the first-ever limits on the...more
Federal judge strikes down Trump rule governing water pollution - The New York Times – August 23 - In the latest episode of a long-running battle concerning the reach of federal jurisdiction over surface waters, Judge...more
Southern California counties reach most intense drought category - Los Angeles Times – August 23 - As drought conditions continue to worsen throughout California, Ventura and other Southern California counties have...more
In a first, U.S. declares shortage on Colorado River, forcing water cuts - The New York Times – August 16 - With climate change and long-term drought continuing to take a toll on the Colorado River, the federal Bureau of...more
Environmental groups oppose developer’s plan to fill in part of Redwood City tidal lagoon to build apartment complex - Bullet The Mercury News – August 10 - Environmental groups are opposing a developer’s plan to...more
California water managers vote to cut off farmers as statewide drought intensifies - Courthouse News Service – June 15 - Citing severe drought conditions, the California State Water Resources Control Board on Tuesday sent...more
Gov. Jerry Brown signed Assembly Bill 1668 and Senate Bill 606 yesterday, which are jointly designed to overhaul California’s approach to conserving water. ...more
The State Water Resources Control Board exceeded its jurisdictional authority under Water Code section 1052 when it issued curtailment notices to pre-1914 and riparian water rights holders, a Santa Clara County Superior Court...more
Urban water suppliers would face significant new requirements under water conservation and drought resiliency legislation proposed by Gov. Jerry Brown. The legislation, released in the form of budget trailer bill language...more
Environmental and Policy Focus - North Dakota federal court limits injunction as to “Waters of the U.S.” rule to 13 states: The Hill - Sep 4 - A federal judge today declined to extend his order enjoining application of...more
Environmental and Policy Focus - Federal judge in South Dakota issues eleventh-hour order blocking implementation of EPA/COE’s new definition of 'waters of the United States': The Hill - Aug 27: A federal judge in North...more
Environmental and Policy Focus - Coastal California residents using far less water: Associated Press - Nov 4: Residents in coastal communities use far less water than their inland counterparts, but still find ways to...more
July 1, 2016 Set as Deadline for Preparing New Plans - Under new amendments to California’s Urban Water Management Planning Act, urban water suppliers will be required to provide narrative descriptions of their water...more
Faced with record drought and depleted groundwater supplies statewide, the California Legislature has enacted, and Governor Brown on September 16 signed, new legislation designed to move statewide groundwater management...more