California Legislative Delta Caucus Co-Chair Senator Jerry McNerney, D-Pleasanton, released the following statement regarding Governor Gavin Newsom’s plan to fast-track the Delta Tunnel Project in the state budget:
“Governor Newsom’s proposal to fast-track the costly and destructive Delta Tunnel Project in the state budget is a poorly conceived plan that the Legislature should reject. The Delta water tunnel is expected to cost at least $20 billion — and likely much more — and will destroy nearly 4,000 acres of prime farmland in the fragile Delta, along with salmon fisheries and tribal resources. Plus, the tunnel’s costs would have to be shouldered by ratepayers who are already overburdened by skyrocketing utility bills.”
“In short, California should develop a sustainable water system instead of the expensive and damaging tunnel that will not add a drop of new water to the system. The Legislature and governor should pursue alternatives that would cost far less and would safeguard California’s main water supply system without inflicting major harm to it, such as fortifying Delta levees and increasing water recycling and groundwater storage.”
Ransom Responds to Governor’s Delta Tunnel Plan with Audit Targeting Fast-Track Proposal
Sacramento, CA- Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom (D-Tracy) is sounding the alarm on Governor Gavin Newsom’s budget proposal, which attempts to fast-track the controversial Delta Tunnel project by altering legal statutes and bypassing public oversight.
“I’m disappointed to see this proposal to override legal protections and statutes to violate both water and property rights,” said Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom.
“Let’s be real- this is a $20 billion water grab that shifts wealth from the San Joaquin Delta to wealthy Southern California interests. This would steal our water and harm the Central Valley’s Delta.”
As part of her response, Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom announced that she has partnered with Restore the Delta to officially launch an audit of the Department of Water Resources (DWR), the agency spearheading the tunnel project.
“This is about accountability. That’s why I’ve partnered with Restore the Delta to officially launch an audit of the Department of Water Resources.”
Assemblymember Ransom represents California’s 13th Assembly District, which includes the heart of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta: Stockton, Tracy, and Mountain House. She is committed to stopping the tunnel project through the Legislature, the state budget process, and the court of public opinion.
Statement Opposing Governor’s Effort to Fast-Track Delta Tunnel Project
SACRAMENTO, CA – Today, Assemblywoman Lori D. Wilson (D-Suisun City), who represents California’s 11th Assembly District and communities throughout the Delta region, issued the following statement in response to the Governor’s announcement regarding the fast-tracking of the Delta Conveyance Project:
“Today’s announcement from Governor Newsom serves as a call to action for our region. The Delta Conveyance Project will devastate the Delta ecosystem and create a massive financial burden for ratepayers. It is deeply troubling that on the same day, the May Revise includes painful cuts to vulnerable communities, we are seeing a renewed push for an unnecessary and damaging project that will cost taxpayers billions more.
Even more concerning is that this project is being advanced to benefit agricultural interests in other regions, interests that are helping fund the very effort to divert water away from the Delta. This approach threatens the livelihood of our local communities and undermines the sustainability of our regional economy. Shifting water from one farming region to support another does not solve our water crisis, it exacerbates it.
California should be focused on long-term, equitable solutions like increased water storage and infrastructure that serve the needs of the entire state, not just a few. As the Co-Chair of the Delta Caucus, I vow to stand with my colleagues and the Delta community as we vehemently oppose this poorly crafted legislation and a last-ditch effort by the Governor to push the project through before his term ends.”
Previous:
- May 14 – Governor: Budget Calls for Fast-Track of Delta Conveyance Project : Governor Newsom today announced, as part of his May Revise, a significant proposal to streamline one of California’s most important water management and climate adaptation projects, the Delta Conveyance Project, advancing much-needed and long-overdue improvements to the State Water Project.
- June 25, 2024 – Report Exposes Inaccuracies in Benefit-Cost Analysis of California’s Delta Conveyance Project
- May 16, 2024 – Analysis: Benefits of the Delta Conveyance Project Far Exceed Costs
- Dec 21, 2023 – Dept of Water Resources Approves Delta Conveyance Project
