Newsom seeks to fast-track Delta Conveyance Project to bolster California water system

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (UI) — As part of his May budget revision, Gov. Gavin Newsom is proposing to fast-track the Delta Conveyance Project — a major upgrade to California’s aging State Water Project aimed at improving climate resilience and long-term water supply reliability.

“For too long, attempts to modernize our critical water infrastructure have stalled in endless red tape,” Newsom said in a statement. “Our state needs to complete this project as soon as possible.”

The Delta Conveyance Project, which has faced years of delays, is designed to modernize the 60-year-old State Water Project by allowing it to better capture and store water from extreme weather events. During last year’s atmospheric rivers, the system could have collected enough water to serve nearly 10 million people for a year, according to the state.

California expects to lose up to 10% of its water supply due to warming conditions, and state officials warn that without infrastructure upgrades, the State Water Project’s reliability could drop by nearly a quarter.

The governor certified the project’s final environmental impact report in December and has secured financial backing from agencies serving a majority of Californians.

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