California GOP Delegation Releases Statement in Response to FY2017 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill

Washington, D.C. – (RealEstateRama) — The House Appropriations Committee released the fiscal year 2017 Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill, which will be considered in subcommittee tomorrow. The legislation provides funding for national defense nuclear weapons activities, the Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Energy (DOE) programs, and other related agencies.

Also included in the legislation are several new provisions to help Californians who have suffered extreme challenges from years of historic drought, exacerbated by excessive federal regulations. These provisions in the bill will help provide relief for impacted communities and will assist in the capture and delivery of more water to towns and fields.

Following the release of the fiscal year 2017 Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill, the entire California Republican Congressional Delegation released the following joint statement:

“The Western drought has devastated communities throughout California, the consequences of which have spread throughout the country. Congress cannot make it rain but we can enact policies that expand our water infrastructure, allow for more water conveyance, and utilize legitimate science to ensure a reliable water supply for farmers and families. Today’s release of the FY2017 Water and Energy Appropriations bill is an important step to help restore the water California so desperately needs. We appreciate the efforts of both Chairman Rogers and Chairman Simpson and look forward to working in a collaborative way with all those involved to enact meaningful solutions.”

Provisions included in the FY17 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill maximize water deliveries by:

1. Increasing pumping at the Delta to deliver water South of the Delta

2. Expanding storage by cutting bureaucratic red-tape holding back major water storage projects

3. Protecting senior and area of origin water rights

4. Protecting species listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA)

5. Restoring water deliveries to the east side of the San Joaquin Valley by defunding defunct programs

The complete text of the subcommittee draft of the FY 2017 Energy and Water Appropriations bill, can be found here.