WATCH: Padilla Pushes for Affordable Water Utility Bills, Critical Flood Protection

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), a member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, advocated for affordable water utilities for families across the country and stronger flood protections for communities.

At an Environment and Public Works Committee hearing, Padilla and U.S. Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) proposed an amendment to the Water Resources and Development Act (WRDA), legislation that would authorize flood risk management, navigation, and ecosystem restoration projects for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps). WRDA also reauthorizes the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) drinking water and wastewater infrastructure programs. Padilla and Blunt Rochester's amendment would make water utilities more affordable for American households.

"Look, water affordability is a critical issue. It's not a red state, blue state thing. This is for working families across the country," said Senator Padilla. "But water and wastewater utility rates have been growing at twice the rate of inflation for 25 years, and we know that there's programs that can work because we did it during the pandemic. We offered support for families that didn't just help them pay their water bills. It helped prevent water shutoffs. It helped folks who had been in arrears reinstate their services. 1.4 million households across 49 states were helped, but that program has come to an end. We're trying to reinstate it and improve upon it."

Video of Padilla's remarks is available here.

Although Padilla and Blunt Rochester withdrew their amendment, the committee's chairman, Senator Shelley Capito (R-W.Va.), committed to further collaboration on water affordability moving forward. The committee voted to advance WRDA. Padilla then delivered remarks highlighting the importance of flood protection and prevention across California and the nation.

"I just wanted to take an opportunity to highlight one other issue of importance, and that's continuing the critical flood protection work for the cities of Temecula and Murrieta, who have experienced devastating floods with loss of life," said Senator Padilla. "Just last week, the Army Corps of Engineers completed a general reevaluation study that provides finally a certified cost estimate for the project. So as WRDA moves forward, I'd ask that the committee use the Corps' completed study to increase the project's cost ceiling, which is so critical for the flood protection work and for it to be able to continue."

Padilla has consistently advocated for strong federal investments in California's water infrastructure and utilities. Following the committee mark-up, Californian organizations expressed support for Padilla's advocacy.

"We are grateful to Senator Padilla for his critical work on the Senate Water Resources Development Act," said Port of San Francisco Executive Director Michael Martin. "The Bay waterfront is part of San Francisco's identity - an essential, shared public asset that supports transportation, jobs, small businesses, housing, recreation, and historic places. This bill moves us closer to federal funding to defend the City against coastal flooding and sea level rise." The bill includes a provision requiring the Corps to move forward more quickly with finalizing the City's feasibility study for its downtown flood protection project, which will help the City access Federal funding sooner to undertake the project.

"The legislation advancing today strengthens the federal partnerships we need to deliver meaningful results for Californians," said California Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crawfoot. "It gives new momentum to restore some of our state's most vital landscapes-from critical dust suppression and habitat restoration at the Salton Sea to expanding a large-scale floodplain restoration and flood control project at one of California's newest state parks, Dos Rios. Together, these efforts protect public health, restore ecosystems, and build a more resilient California." The bill broadens the scope of the Corps' comprehensive plan for restoring the Salton Sea to include lands owned by the Bureau of Reclamation, and deauthorizes federal levees to expedite the restoration of California's new state park at Dos Rios.

"Reauthorizing the Water Resources Development Act is critical to strengthening America's supply chain and driving economic growth. At the Port of Long Beach, we are building the Port of the Future, and this legislation will help advance key infrastructure projects, including our planned Deep Draft Navigation Project, which will enhance navigational safety, improve cargo efficiency and strengthen the flow of goods to communities across the country," said Port of Long Beach CEO Dr. Noel Hacegaba. "We are grateful to Sen. Padilla, the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works and our many federal partners for advancing the bill. Continued federal investment in our nation's ports is essential to expanding trade opportunities, supporting jobs across all 50 states."

"Orange County is grateful for Senator Padilla's leadership and support in advancing this important cost share change in the Senate's Water Resources Development Act," said Supervisor Doug Chaffee, Chairman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors. "This language represents a major boost for the Westminster East Garden Grove project that would deliver up to $150 million in additional federal funding to Orange County to strengthen flood protection, improve public safety, and support the long-term resilience of our communities. We look forward to continuing to work with Senator Padilla and our federal partners to ensure this critical provision moves through Congress and becomes law."

Padilla also raised concerns about Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act loan application delays that have impacted applicants across California. Padilla highlighted the provision in WRDA to monitor the average amount of time for loan processing.

"In my state, multiple applicants, including the city of Hayward and Valley Water, have been literally waiting for a year or even longer for OMB and the EPA to approve their fully completed loan applications," concluded Senator Padilla. "These are important projects that should be reviewed in a timely manner. As you know, time is money, but also the longer we wait, the more we risk further damage and devastation."

Senator Padilla also advocated for provisions in the bill that:

• Allow the Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency to acquire properties in fee title to expedite needed flood protection work around Pajaro and Watsonville;
• Allow local water districts to undertake authorized wastewater and flood control projects under the Environmental Infrastructure Program and then seek reimbursement from the Corps;
• Authorize new funding for Environmental Infrastructure projects in Silicon Valley and counties including San Mateo, Sonoma, Sacramento, Sutter, Orange, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, and Ventura;
• Authorize feasibility studies for projects in Morro Bay, Hayward, Redondo Beach, Redwood City, and Pacifica, and a study modification for Buchanan Reservoir; and
• Ensure that the selected alternative for a beach restoration plan in Oceanside is acceptable to the city.

Video of Padilla's remarks is available here.

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