Last week, Representative Jeff Denham’s legislation to authorize financing of new water storage projects passed the U.S. House of Representatives as part of the comprehensive America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 (WRDA). The language in this legislation, which comes from Denham’s New WATER Act, leverages non-federal investments to provide funding for expanding water storage.
“We need more water storage in the Valley and my bill will deliver more storage,” said Denham in his press release. “Sacramento’s radical water grab makes this more important than ever.”
The bill provides financing for water projects throughout the western United States, including new reservoirs, below ground storage projects, recycling and desalination projects. Denham’s provision in the WRDA bill authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency to finance Bureau of Reclamation projects under the Water Infrastructure and Innovation Act program and sets a one-year deadline for execution.
Additionally, the WRDA bill would significantly enhance flood protection in San Joaquin County by authorizing long-delayed and badly needed flood control protection efforts for more than 50,000 Valley residents and a number of critical infrastructure facilities.
The Senate is also expected to move additional legislation on water soon. We will keep you updated on if Denham’s legislation is included in the Senate’s proposed water bill or if it will be included in the final WRDA combined package.
Visit Denham’s press room to learn more about the water storage bill.