A bipartisan bill co-sponsored by Rep. Jim Costa of Fresno aims to beef up federal response to the continuing drought in California and other western states.

The Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act Amendments of 2022 seek renewed investment in the water supply of the San Joaquin Valley and other western communities.

“We cannot ignore the devastating impacts of drought on California and the West. We must quickly and effectively invest in our crumbling water infrastructure so that we can conserve every drop of water possible,” said Costa in a news release. “I am proud to co-sponsor this bipartisan legislation that will provide improved financing tools that allow us to better invest in our water system.”

The legislative package includes several bills that would amend the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014, which provides long-term, low-cost supplemental loans for regionally and nationally significant projects.

WIFIA Delivered $6.5 Billion in 2021

Last year, for example, the EPA funded $6.5 billion for water infrastructure projects under the 2014 act.

This package introduced Thursday includes Costa’s H.R. 3023, which would clarify that federally owned infrastructure managed and operated by non-federal entities, such as the San Luis Delta-Mendota Water Authority, can utilize WIFIA funding to finance water infrastructure projects.

Rep. Kim Schrier (D-Washington) introduced the WIFIA Act Amendments of 2022. The other co-sponsors: Doug LaMalfa (R-California), John Garamendi (D-California), Sharice Davids (D-Kansas), and Dan Newhouse (R-Washington).