SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Ira Ruskin’s AB 662, tightening water efficiency standards, was signed into law today by Governor Schwarzenegger.  Amidst a drought, a federal order to shut down the San Joaquin Delta water pumps, and a special session on the state’s water infrastructure, Ruskin’s legislation directing the California Energy Commission to develop water efficiency regulations for appliances is a major step to protect the state’s water resources.

“Let’s face it, there’s a lot of room for improvement in efficiency – for example, restaurant dishwashers and other commercial appliances. While much progress has been made recently on water conservation, water is still wasted through old, inefficient appliances and practices. Water efficiency is the fastest, cheapest and cleanest strategy to meet California’s future water needs. AB 662 does that without burdening the state’s budget,” Assemblymember Ruskin said.

AB 662 mandates that the California Energy Commission regulate energy and water efficiency.   There is a commonsense nexus between these issues.  The Energy Commission reports that as much as 19 percent of statewide electric energy load and 32 percent of gas load relates to water.

With California’s population expected to reach over 54 million by 2050, there is virtually unanimous agreement that the State needs to implement measures to conserve water in order to maintain a robust agricultural sector, a strong economy, and a healthy environment. The Department of Water Resources and independent experts such as Dr. Peter Gleick, President of the Pacific Institute, agree that the state’s water problems have become increasingly serious.

“Given the crisis in the Delta, and the likely impacts of climate change on the state's water resources, improving water efficiency is key to assuring safe and reliable water supplies for our communities. Water-efficiency standards are the most cost-effective way to save both water and energy,” said Ronnie Cohen of the Natural Resources Defense Council.