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Legislative Leaders Endorse Landmark Water Conservation Bill and Strategic Water Investments in California
Legislative package to address California's water and environmental needs
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.”
The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 1.3 million members and online activists. Since 1970, our lawyers, scientists, and other environmental specialists have worked to protect the world's natural resources, public health, and the environment. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Livingston, Montana, and Beijing. Visit us at www.nrdc.org and follow us on Twitter @NRDC.
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NRDC Gets Top Ratings from the Charity Watchdogs
- Charity Navigator awards NRDC its 4-star top rating.
- Worth magazine named NRDC one of America's 100 best charities.
- NRDC meets the highest standards of the Wise Giving Alliance of the Better Business Bureau.
