U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, convened the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee to examine legislative proposals to mitigate the impacts of the drought that has crippled California and many communities throughout the West. 

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“Everyone, especially those in California and throughout the West, knows that the effects of this long-lasting drought are devastating. Many California farmers continue to face unprecedented reductions in water delivery. Some communities no longer even have running water," Murkowski said. “But this is not just about California either. It is being felt across the Colorado River Basin, in the Pacific Northwest, and in Alaska – contributing to a terrible wildfire season this year.” 

Drought conditions in the West are broad and impacting every western state to some degree. According to the most recent U.S. Drought Monitor report, roughly 57 percent of the West is now experiencing moderate to exceptional drought.  

California is in its fourth consecutive year of drought and its impacts have been exacerbated in part by state and federal environmental regulations. It is estimated that the drought could cost California’s economy more than 38,000 jobs and almost $3 billion this year alone. There is concern that if steps aren’t taken to improve water management infrastructure and delivery, drought impacts will reach the point where there won’t be enough water supply to meet future demand. 

Sens. Feinstein (D-Calif.), Boxer (D-Calif.) and Rep. Valadao (R-Calif.)
testify on proposals to mitigate drought impacts

Murkowski, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, reiterated her commitment to working with her colleagues on both sides of the aisle to compile a West-wide drought bill. At Thursday’s hearing, the committee heard testimony on three legislative proposals aimed at increasing water supplies in California and throughout the West.

“There are some areas of clear agreement on ways to mitigate drought impacts in California and the West,” Murkowski said. “When we think about the technologies available to us, like desalination and recycling, we should be able to improve the water situation in the region. But it’s also water storage that will allow us to make it through shortages and periods of drought. All of these ideas will require us to work together on collaborative legislative solutions.”

The legislative proposals examined by the committee Thursday:

• H.R. 2898, the Western Water and American Food Security Act;
• S. 1894, the California Emergency Drought Relief Act;
• S. 1936 , the New Mexico Drought Preparedness Act.

Archived video, witness testimony, and Murkowski’s opening statement from today’s hearing is available on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee website.