Print ArticleSACRAMENTO–The State Assembly cast a bipartisan 62-2 vote last week to approve a water conservation bill by Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis). The legislation, Assembly Bill 2882, would encourage public water agencies throughout the state to adopt conservation rate structures that reward consumers who conserve water.
"At a time when California faces significant and ongoing water supply challenges, this legislation allows us to go further in improving and expanding water conservation across the state by expanding the opportunity, not the mandate, for urban water suppliers to encourage water conservation through their water rate structures," said Wolk.
Currently, state law authorizes water agencies to promote conservation using rate structures. However, some agencies are concerned that such structures may not meet the requirements of Proposition 218, state law enacted by voters in 1996 to restrict the use of revenue tools such as water rates to finance local services.
Wolk´s legislation provides agencies with the clarity necessary for legal implementation of allocation-based rate structures. The bill also establishes standards that protect consumers by ensuring a lower base rate for those who conserve water and requiring that higher rates for use in excess of the base rate do not exceed the reasonable cost of providing the water service.
"I´m pleased that both houses of the state legislature approved this bill, and encourage the Governor to sign it into law and enable water suppliers throughout the state to use this effective conservation tools, shown to achieve dramatic water savings without significant taxpayer investment," Wolk concluded.
AB 2882, which is supported by a broad coalition of water agencies and environmental organizations, is now waiting to be sent to the Governor´s desk for his signature.
"At a time when California faces significant and ongoing water supply challenges, this legislation allows us to go further in improving and expanding water conservation across the state by expanding the opportunity, not the mandate, for urban water suppliers to encourage water conservation through their water rate structures," said Wolk.
Currently, state law authorizes water agencies to promote conservation using rate structures. However, some agencies are concerned that such structures may not meet the requirements of Proposition 218, state law enacted by voters in 1996 to restrict the use of revenue tools such as water rates to finance local services.
Wolk´s legislation provides agencies with the clarity necessary for legal implementation of allocation-based rate structures. The bill also establishes standards that protect consumers by ensuring a lower base rate for those who conserve water and requiring that higher rates for use in excess of the base rate do not exceed the reasonable cost of providing the water service.
"I´m pleased that both houses of the state legislature approved this bill, and encourage the Governor to sign it into law and enable water suppliers throughout the state to use this effective conservation tools, shown to achieve dramatic water savings without significant taxpayer investment," Wolk concluded.
AB 2882, which is supported by a broad coalition of water agencies and environmental organizations, is now waiting to be sent to the Governor´s desk for his signature.
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