Assemblyman Mike Gatto’s Four Year Long Effort For Increased Conservation
Results In New Program To Help Californians Save Water
Gatto’s CalConserve Secures Its First Funding
SACRAMENTO, CA – Assemblyman Mike Gatto’s (D-Glendale) goal of providing Californians with the tools they need to conserve water was partly realized today, after four years of legislative efforts. As part of the legislature’s emergency drought measure (AB 92) the state has earmarked $10 million to fund the CalConserve program, established by Gatto’s AB 2636, which went into effect earlier this year. The nuts-and-bolts program allows homeowners and businesses to finance water-efficiency upgrades through a state-administered revolving-loan program.
Full implementation of the program has been a goal of Assemblyman Gatto since 2011 when he first introduced legislation to create the program, even before California faced its current water crisis. In Gatto’s testimony for the bill as far back as 2011, he warned his colleagues about the need for water-conservation infrastructure, even citing the prospect of future droughts. After three attempts, the Legislature finally enacted Gatto’s CalConserve legislation in 2014, but did so without a funding source. Today’s vote by the Legislature will finally create real incentives for homeowners and businesses to upgrade their infrastructure to save water.
The $10 million made available to CalConserve will be a self-renewing fund for water-use efficiency upgrades. Homeowners will be able to install appliances such as low-flow dishwashers, washing machines, and toilets, while farmers will be able to finance improvements like efficient drip-irrigation systems. As they begin seeing savings on their water bill, private parties will pay the loans back to CalConserve.
“Both the public will and the technology exists to save millions of gallons of water each year, but in many cases, the costs to install such technology can be out of reach for small businesses and homeowners,” said Gatto. “I have fought for over four years to provide the mechanisms for Californians to do the right thing and conserve water.
“I am thankful the Governor and legislative leaders have finally provided funds that are desperately needed by homeowners and businesses to make water-saving infrastructure upgrades,” noted Gatto. “With CalConserve, we can help people save water by paying the upfront costs and letting them pay back gradually from water-bill savings.”
Mike Gatto is the Chairman of the Consumer Protection and Privacy Committee, and the longest-serving current member of the State Assembly. He represents California’s 43rd Assembly District, which includes Burbank, Glendale, La Cañada Flintridge, La Crescenta, Montrose, and the Los Angeles neighborhoods of Atwater Village, East Hollywood, Franklin Hills, Hollywood Hills, Los Feliz, and Silver Lake. www.asm.ca.gov/gatto