Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Water Resilience topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
AB 367 moves forward after testimony on requiring backup power and hardening at water facilities in high fire-risk areas
Summary
AB 367 would require backup generation, proactive tank-filling on red-flag warnings, and facility hardening for water suppliers serving areas classified as high or very high fire risk.
Assemblymember Bill Bennett presented AB 367, a measure that would require water districts in high and very high fire risk areas to maintain backup generating capacity for facilities in the most at-risk portions of their service territories, to top off tanks once red-flag warnings are issued, and to harden facilities likely to burn.
The author referenced the Thomas fire and other local wildfires as motivating events and said the bill was developed in collaboration with water districts in Ventura County. "This bill is just a common sense bill," the author said, arguing the requirements were targeted to the areas most likely to burn and that FEMA and other programs may help cover hardening costs.
Opponents included the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) and several local water agencies. ACWA said it supported the goals but maintained an "oppose unless amended" position, citing significant costs to suppliers (some estimates in the millions per facility, with one agency estimating $10 million), challenges in emergency unpredictability, and possible affordability impacts if costs are borne by ratepayers. ACWA asked for a budget allocation and liability protections and recommended removing a 30-minute service requirement tied to power shutoffs.
Other local water districts and city representatives similarly asked for amendments or funding to reduce rate impacts.
The committee recorded a vote and passed the bill (as amended) to the Appropriations Committee.
