Environment

"This legislation turns upside down 150 years of California water law and court decisions, creating an unprecedented theft of 800,000 acre feet of the Delta water by South-of-the-Delta water contractors. All of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and its watersheds are contained in the state of California. The federal government has shown deference, respecting California water rights and the constitution. This legislation usurps California’s power to determine its own water and economic destiny."

"In addition to a blatant water grab, HR 1837 also creates sweeping exemptions from federal laws protecting our water and pre-emptively prohibits state lawmakers from striking a consensus-driven compromise. It would be more accurate to call HR 1837 the State Water Rights Repeal Act," Garamendi wrote in the op-ed. "Now is not the time to reignite the California water wars of the past. Now is not the time to pit Californians against each other for short-term gain. There is a more constructive way forward for California. We must focus on responsible, science-based water management, with conservation, storage and recycling playing a prominent role – balancing our water needs and creating jobs across the Golden State."

"In my view, there is a readily available solution to afford ongoing clean energy tax credits. We can generate $5 billion a year by ending our wasteful subsidies of the oil industry. That subsidy should be moved to renewable energy," said Congressman Garamendi.

"HR 1837 turns upside down 150 years of California water law and the allocation of water. The bill removes all environmental protections for the Delta and Central Valley rivers while allowing destructive exports of water from the Delta to San Joaquin Valley water districts. However, one section of the bill, Title 4, has merit in that it affirms existing water rights and area of origin rights in Northern California. Unfortunately, this section was combined with too much bad policy for the bill to receive my support."

"Many farmers in my Delta community have personally asked me to help fix this problem," said Congressman John Garamendi. "I am proud to take their voice to Washington, so American farmers have the freedom to grow their businesses and grow the products this country needs."

The Department of Energy Grant will help clean tech businesses grow and create jobs in our community.

"Geothermal energy is a crucial clean resource for creating jobs and securing our energy independence," said Congressman Garamendi. "It is in our economic and national security interests to make our energy in America, which is why it’s critical for the federal government to continue cultivating an environment for geothermal development."

If implemented on a broader scale, this new solar-powered system would create thousands of jobs, save millions in tax dollars, and help preserve our national parks and forests.