Commerce, Calif. August 28, 2017 – In a 5 to 2 vote, the Central Basin Water Agency board decided this morning to postpone a decision on the Delta Tunnels project in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. Citing the many unknowns regarding the rate impacts of the project, estimated to cost $25 billion, the Central Basin board members said they needed more information on how it would affect ratepayers in southeast Los Angeles County. The board plans to meet again in late September.
Statement by Brenna Norton, senior Southern California organizer, Food & Water Watch
“This delay provides temporary relief for ratepayers in Lynwood, South Gate, Florence-Graham, Willowbrook, Compton, and Carson. The Central Basin board recognizes that there are many crucial unanswered questions about who will pay for the Delta Tunnels. It would be a great injustice for low and middle income communities in Los Angeles County to carry the burden for the tunnels, which will raise rates but not provide new water. We look forward to giving the board the data it needs to vote down this wrong-headed scheme.”
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