New Reservoir Project Gets Accelerated behind Council’s Advocacy

California’s ability to update, improve and modernize its critical infrastructure has too often been delayed and made more expensive by legal challenges stemming from abuse and misuse of environmental laws, primarily the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). That’s why the Bay Area Council earlier this year fought so hard to help pass a package of legislation advanced by Gov. Newsom to streamline key clean energy, water and transportation infrastructure. The work is now paying off, with Newsom announcing this week an accelerated timeline for building the Sites Reservoir northeast of Sacramento. The Council has also been a strong proponent of the Sites project as part of an overall approach, including greatly expanding investments in storage, desalination and wastewater recycling, to increase California’s resilience to drought. The Sites Reservoir, when complete, will hold enough water to supply 3 million households annually. To engage in the Council’s water policy work, please contact Senior Vice President Adrian Covert.