California’s comprehensive new water use plan makes conservation a priority, reinforcing a 2009 plan to reduce statewide per capita water consumption by 20% by 2020.
The state will invest in public awareness campaigns, research into water-use efficiency, alternative water supplies, and improved irrigation techniques.
"When the first plan was done in 1957, we had less than half the people in California than we have now," Secretary of Natural Resources John Laird told Reuters. "We did not have the impacts of climate change that we do now, and we did not have the pressure to make water conservation a way of life."
Californians face higher water prices and permanent conservation measures amid drought, global warming and population growth, state officials say. The Golden State is in its third year of a severe drought that has dried up wells and forced farmers to leave fields fallow.
The state is planning improvements on water infrastructure, including dams and reservoirs, as well as investments in new technology such as desalination plants and wastewater recycling.
(http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/10/30/usa-california-drought-idUSL1N0SP2R120141030)
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Jan 20, 2017
New resource lists green incentives by state
USGBC's new Public Policy Library includes tax and energy benchmarking policies.
Codes and Standards | Jan 18, 2017
How green leases benefit owners and tenants
Agreements to spur efficiency upgrades are slowly gaining popularity.
Codes and Standards | Jan 17, 2017
Intl. Code Council looks into code changes for cross-laminated timber structures
Most codes limit CLT structures’ height.
Codes and Standards | Jan 16, 2017
Building codes for existing buildings evaluated in new white paper
The paper examines implementation, enforcement challenges, and changes needed in new code editions.
Codes and Standards | Jan 13, 2017
New BIM guide for owners released
National Institute of Building Sciences releases a manual for developing standard set of BIM documents.
Codes and Standards | Jan 11, 2017
OSHA prompts more proactive approach to construction site safety
Remote operated camera systems are being used to mitigate risk in real time.
Codes and Standards | Jan 10, 2017
Plunging solar power costs making PVs more compelling for owners, developers
Technical and manufacturing advances are driving down prices.
Codes and Standards | Jan 9, 2017
Boston’s plans for new development at odds with flood projections
One plan calls for building in areas predicted to be flooded during high tides as sea levels rise.
Codes and Standards | Jan 9, 2017
New LEED for Cities, LEED for Communities pilot certifications unveiled
Requires tracking of performance data and progress toward goals.
Codes and Standards | Jan 9, 2017
China claims top ranking outside of U.S. for total LEED-certified space
Canada, India, Brazil, and Korea round out top 5.
