CMUA Water & Power Leadership

Guests: Craig Miller, general manager of Western Municipal Water District, and Heather Dyer, CEO/general manager of San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District. The two leaders are part of a broad coalition called California Water for All that is advocating for the passage of CMUA co-sponsored Senate Bill 366. Miller and Dyer delve into a range of topics, including the importance of long-term planning, how the changing climate is altering California's water regime, new academic research that estimates the amount of water California will need in the coming decades to maintain its world-leading economy and environmental resources, and much more.

Water rights is a hot topic that state policymakers are considering in Sacramento during the 2023 legislative session. Andrea Abergel, the California Municipal Utilities Association's manager of water policy, goes in-depth on two bills that originated in the Assembly, what the negative impacts could be if the legislation becomes law, and how CMUA is engaging in advocacy and education as part of a broader coalition opposing the bills. Note: This episode was recorded before recent activity that likely will make Assembly Bill 460 a two-year bill, meaning it would be considered no sooner than 2024.

Guest: Martin L. Adams, general manager and chief engineer, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power In a wide-ranging conversation, Adams talks about his long career at LADWP, how the water and energy industry is changing in Southern California, and what LADWP is doing to lead on issues such as zero carbon energy, clean drinking water, and diversity and equity.

Guest: San Diego County Water Authority General Manager Sandra L. Kerl Kerl talks about how the Water Authority is adapting and innovating for this year's drought and beyond, while continuing to provide reliable service to customers and reshaping the Water Authority's internal processes, values and structure.

CMUA Deputy Executive Director Danielle Blacet-Hyden explains why California water agencies are feeling the pandemic’s financial pinch. But the water will keep flowing.