Water Conservation Financing Measure Passes Assembly
California Political Desk
May 27, 2009
A bill by Assemblymember Bob Blumenfield (D – Woodland Hills) to provide loans to homeowners and businesses for the installation of water conservation systems passed the state Assembly last week. The bill, AB 474, is backed by a broad-based coalition from the California Chamber of Commerce to the Sierra Club.
"My goal is to make it easier for homeowners, businesses and farmers to install innovative water conservation devices such as cisterns, semi-permeable concrete, purple pipes or drip irrigation," Blumenfield said. "It is clear by the broad support for this bill from business organizations and property owners that the desire to conserve is there, but the financial resources to make it happen are not."
"This bill will provide a simple, cost-effective way for people who want to reduce their water bills, and conserve to pay the upfront cost to do so," he added.
AB 474 authorizes public agencies, such as cities, counties and water districts to provide upfront financing to residential, commercial or industrial property owners for the installation of water use efficiency improvements. A property owner would agree to be assessed over time to pay back the loan, and once repaid, would reap the savings on their water bill every month.
It is a voluntary approach on all fronts – voluntary for the public agencies to offer the financing; voluntary for property owners to participate. Sponsored by the Metropolitan Water District and the California Municipal Utilities Association, the bill expands on a bill enacted last year that established a similar program for financing energy improvements, and builds on that existing framework to include water conservation.
"Across the state we are facing record low rainfalls; a possible 3rd consecutive year of drought; reservoirs at 50% of normal capacity; and mandatory water rationing and restrictions in some communities," Blumenfield said. "In the face of this crisis, we need to redouble our efforts to conserve."
"My goal is to make it easier for homeowners, businesses and farmers to install innovative water conservation devices such as cisterns, semi-permeable concrete, purple pipes or drip irrigation," Blumenfield said. "It is clear by the broad support for this bill from business organizations and property owners that the desire to conserve is there, but the financial resources to make it happen are not."
"This bill will provide a simple, cost-effective way for people who want to reduce their water bills, and conserve to pay the upfront cost to do so," he added.
AB 474 authorizes public agencies, such as cities, counties and water districts to provide upfront financing to residential, commercial or industrial property owners for the installation of water use efficiency improvements. A property owner would agree to be assessed over time to pay back the loan, and once repaid, would reap the savings on their water bill every month.
It is a voluntary approach on all fronts – voluntary for the public agencies to offer the financing; voluntary for property owners to participate. Sponsored by the Metropolitan Water District and the California Municipal Utilities Association, the bill expands on a bill enacted last year that established a similar program for financing energy improvements, and builds on that existing framework to include water conservation.
"Across the state we are facing record low rainfalls; a possible 3rd consecutive year of drought; reservoirs at 50% of normal capacity; and mandatory water rationing and restrictions in some communities," Blumenfield said. "In the face of this crisis, we need to redouble our efforts to conserve."
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