Five years after its launch, the state of California’s landmark Safe and Affordable Funding for Equity and Resilience (SAFER) drinking water program has made significant progress in advancing the human right to water. In the five years since the program was established, the State Water Resources Control Board has distributed more than $1 billion in grants to disadvantaged communities. During this time, the number of people served by failing water systems has fallen from 1.6 million to 700,000 – a net gain of 900,000 more Californians who now have safe and affordable drinking water. Read the press release. (7/22/24)
California is highlighting billions of dollars in climate infrastructure investments that are benefitting communities – particularly those most in need – around the state. California has invested nearly $25 billion in the past three years to increase climate resiliency and adaptation projects and build more infrastructure projects for water, environmental restoration, energy and many others. Read the press release and view project examples. (5/9/24)
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) released a two-year action plan to collaboratively address environmental justice issues across California by enforcing laws that protect public health and the environment. The plan builds on a first-of-its-kind agreement signed by EPA and CalEPA in 2021. Read the press release . (4/24/24)
