Elsinore Valley water director warns net‑zero mandates could hinder firefighting; staff preview capacity fee and revenue ideas

Darcy Burke, director of Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District, spoke during Community Reports about water‑service vulnerabilities revealed by recent fires and the district's near‑term budget process.

Burke warned that state net‑zero targets and the push to electrify utility fleets can create operational problems during major wildfire events. "When you have smoke, you cannot recharge your generator," she said, noting that without power operators cannot run pumps to refill reservoirs used by firefighters. She said mandates that move utility trucks to all‑electric could reduce the availability of utility operators to respond to emergencies, because utility staff are not formally classified as first responders in the same way firefighters and police are.

Burke said the district will soon kick off its budget process; staff may propose a capacity-fee increase and she cited a capacity-fee proposal of 48% that has been discussed internally. She said the district is engaging a consultant (Moonshot Mission, a firm with connections to senior utility staff in Washington, D.C.) to explore non‑rate revenue options that could make better use of district assets without placing all cost burden on ratepayers.

She also noted anecdotal local water-supply signals and referenced a Farmers’ Almanac test the district used as a planning metaphor; she warned the lake level is likely to be lower without winter rain and reminded residents the district follows reservoir‑purchase rules tied to agreements with the property owners association.

Burke concluded by announcing an upcoming water training class for newly elected officials and inviting council members to participate in outreach as the district develops rate and budget proposals.