Valley Clean Infrastructure Plan (VCIP) Approved: The Board certified the Environmental Impact Report and approved the Valley Clean Infrastructure Plan, authorizing up to 136,000 acres of solar development (21,000 MW solar capacity and 10,000 MW battery storage) on retired and fallowed lands within the District's service area. The project will be phased over 10 years with resource facilities constructed from 2029–2038 and the first collection substation beginning in 2028 and represents a critical survival strategy for growers facing ongoing water supply challenges, drainage issues, and SGMA restrictions. General Manager Febbo emphasized the District's commitment to developing a collaborative Community Benefits Agreement plan with surrounding communities, with the process beginning soon after approval.
Action 5 Record of Decision Expected to Deliver Significant Water Supply Gains: The Bureau of Reclamation signed the Action 5 Record of Decision, codifying operational flexibility that is estimated to provide an average of 85,000 acre-feet annually of additional water supply compared to previous operations, with potential increases up to 200,000 acre-feet in certain years. This represents a substantial improvement over last year's operations, which yielded approximately 150,000 acre-feet of additional supply. The new operations maintain equal or better environmental protections while maximizing water delivery, and the State is working to align its operations through an incidental take permit application currently under review.
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