GOVERNOR REJECTS RECYCLED WATER BILL, GOES SOFT ON WATER SOFTENERS
In the long list of good environmental policies that died by Governor Schwarzenegger's pen this year, the veto of AB 2270 (Laird/Feuer) is especially disappointing - and surprising.
AB 2270 would have helped Californians access the enormous potential of recycled water, broadly seen as a drought resistant, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable water source for California. According to the Department of Water Resources, increased development of recycled water could produce an additional 1.4 million acre feet of water for California by 2030. AB 2270 called for more aggressive statewide targets for the development of recycled water and directed state agencies to take a more active role in promoting water recycling. In addition, the measure would have removed a barrier to the development of recycled water by empowering local agencies with the authority to reduce the use of water softeners where salinity has been identified as a significant problem. (Water softeners contribute to higher concentrations of salt in wastewater, which increases the cost of treating recycled water and in some regions contributes to water quality violations.)
The Governor's veto message acknowledges the importance of recycled water but states that potential limits on water softeners compelled him to reject the measure.
The veto of AB 2270 is perhaps most surprising given that the Governor has repeatedly asked for solutions to California's water problems. In fact, the Governor's concern over water supplies compelled him to declare a statewide drought earlier this year and he continues calling for the state to increase its debt by nearly $10 billion for another water bond. Given this concern and California's water outlook, it's unfortunate that the Governor saw use of water softeners as a higher priority than advancing the development of reliable and sustainable water resources around the state.
WHO SAID IT COULDN'T BE DONE? DESPITE CONTINUED HEALTH THREATS, BUSH ADMINISTRATION REGULATORS CLAIM SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY AIR ALL CLEANED UP
Recently, the U.S. EPA announced that it had designated the San Joaquin Valley air basin to be in attainment with national ambient air quality standards for coarse particulate matter, known as PM-10. The decision will relieve the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District from needing to adopt more stringent measures to reduce dust and smoke emissions, even when air quality monitors have recorded violations to the national standards, especially in the southern region of the valley.
The announcement was deeply troubling, particularly because PM-10 in the San Joaquin Valley accounts for over 2,000 deaths per year and nationwide accounts for more deaths than homicides and automobile accidents combined. Other health impacts include lung and heart disease and asthma.
Despite the U.S. EPA claim, efforts to clean up the San Joaquin Valley's air continue. Governor Schwarzenegger recently signed SB 1548 (Florez) which will clarify the process by which San Joaquin Air District board members are selected and AB 2522 (Arambula) which institutes a vehicle fee to fund air quality programs.
However, much more is needed. Right now the financial burden of dirty air falls on the residents of California while polluters get a free ride. The State needs more resources to improve its poor air quality and that means making all polluters pay their fair share. To find out more about ways to clean up the Valley's air, contact PCL's public health program manager, Rene Guerrero.
CALLING ALL SACRAMENTO AND YOLO COUNTY RESIDENTS: PCL INVITES YOU TO ATTEND REGIONAL GREEN SUMMIT
Looking to connect with environmental organizations in Sacramento and Yolo Counties? You're in luck. Next month over fifteen organizations are co-hosting a day-long Green Summit in Woodland to discuss the state of our environment and how we can attain a healthy environment and sustainable lifestyle for the future.
The day is packed with speakers, panels, and workshops. The keynote speaker will be Martha Guzman Aceves of California Rural Legal Assistance. And don't miss PCL's Global Warming Program Manager Matt Vander Sluis and PCL's Water Policy Analyst Barbara Byrne when they speak about opportunities to tackle climate change at the local level.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
9:00am-5:00pm
Woodland Community & Senior Center
2001 East Street
Woodland, CA 95776
$15 per person
To find out more about the event or to order tickets, call (530) 350-2599 or visit www.tuleyome.org.
1107 9th Street, Suite 360, Sacramento, CA 95814 • Phone (916) 444-8726 • Fax (916) 448-1789 •
Copyright • 2008 The Planning and Conservation League. All rights reserved. Privacy and Contribution Policies To report problems with or to ask questions about our website, please email pclmail@pcl.org.
