Hearing a unified message from diverse constituents across the country, congressional leaders last week chose to include an investment in safeguarding natural resources from the impacts of global warming in the latest federal clean energy and climate bill.

That's great news for those of us who see the fight against global warming as a two-pronged endeavor - reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that create rising temperatures and limiting the negative repercussions of changing environmental conditions for people, wildlife, and communities.

TO ADVANCE WATER CONSERVATION IN NEW DEVELOPMENTS

Next week the Assembly Appropriations Committee will take up AB 1408 (Krekorian) the Smart Water Community Development Act. The bill, co-sponsored by the Planning and Conservation League and the East Bay Municipal Utility District, has the potential to move the state in the right direction towards prioritizing water conservation. AB 1408 allows regions to accommodate a growing population without putting further stress on the Bay-Delta estuary, the dwindling Sierra snowpack and our rivers and streams. It accomplishes allowing building developers to invest in water conservation in existing communities as a way to secure water for their projects.

AB 1408 confronts the truth about our water supplies - they are increasingly limited as our climate warms and our state grows. These impacts place a larger strain on our environment as well as existing communities that are already facing water rationing. AB 1408 presents an innovative way for communities to accommodate growth without increasing this burden.

AB 300 (Caballero) which is sponsored by the California Building Industry Association also acknowledges the fact that with limited water supplies California needs to find new ways to supply water to new communities. However, AB 300 is currently not as strong as AB 1408 but both Krekorian and Caballero have been working to bridge the policy gaps, and we expect those conversations to continue as the bills move forward.

It's time to ensure that new homes are built with state-of-the-art water conservation measures and that new developments can offset their water use to ensure a reliable supply. To learn more, contact PCL's Charlotte Hodde.

LEGISLATURE GAINS PCL EXPERT ON DELTA STEWARDSHIP AND SUSTAINABLITY

Last Friday, PCL bid farewell to one of our powerhouse advocates. McIntyre worked for PCL over five years, inspiring those around her to pursue sustainable solutions to California's water management woes. Rest assured that McIntyre will continue that mission as she assumes a new position with Senator Lois Wolk (D-Vacaville) as the consultant to the Senate Select Committee on Delta Stewardship and Sustainability. McIntyre will work with Senator Wolk and the Legislature during this dynamic time to help develop sustainable solutions for the Delta and new policies to better manage California's water.