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The Huffington Post: When It Comes to California's Water Crisis, We Are All in This Together

By Sandra Fluke on April 23, 2014


8th-post-featured

I grew up in a town with a nuclear reactor. The entire region was sold the promise of a power source and good-paying jobs, but that promise was inadequate given the environmental and safety risks my community was asked to shoulder. Because the hazards and consequences of the reactor were mostly isolated to my community, people living in the rest of the region faced a much different question when they considered the merits of the reactor.

This experience made clear one of our primary barriers to environmental action: the frequent lack of recognition of shared consequences and shared responsibility. Far too often, many don't see or understand the consequences of an unsustainable lifestyle because they don't live near a reactor, coal plant or landfill. Now, as California faces an unprecedented water crisis, the very real consequences of waste and inefficient use of our water resources touch all of our lives, and the environmental maxim of "we are all in this together" has once again been the rallying call for action.

One of the most urgent environmental issues for the State Senate district I am running to represent, and for California as a whole, is conserving water to alleviate the effects of drought and ongoing water shortages. Senate District 26 is largely a coastal district, and it includes the Ballona Wetlands, Santa Monica Bay, Hyperion treatment plant and more than 900,000 people who need water everyday: water to drink, water to bathe, and water to keep our communities green. Protecting our water supply is critical and there are many ways we must improve the way we use water locally and throughout the Golden State.

Although they have made great strides in recent years, the Hyperion treatment plant still loses far too much water -- as much as 260 million gallons a day -- in its treatment process. It is simply bad policy that we dump this huge amount of water into the Santa Monica Bay when we could instead recycle and safely reuse that water by utilizing modern water recycling technologies already employed by other water agencies in Southern California.

Water conservation must also be a priority. Southern California homeowners already use less water than those in other regions, but we can still do better. By investing in statewide and regional public education campaigns to inform the public on simple ways to conserve, we can save homeowners money (not to mention gallons upon gallons of water) by incentivizing smart irrigation systems and clearing away bureaucratic barriers to gray-water systems that allow people to reuse water around their homes and gardens.

We also need to rectify years of inadequate policy concerning flooding and stormwater. A staggering 50 to 80 percent of the water that falls from the sky when it rains ends up in the sea, which means that billions of gallons of perfectly good water that we could be capturing and using are lost each time it rains. Capturing and reusing rainwater is like benefitting from solar power -- once you invest in the infrastructure that makes it possible, you get to rely on completely free production, compliments of the natural world around us.

In addition to improving the way we use water, we need to prevent future egregious waste. Solving our water crisis absolutely requires that we pass a moratorium on fracking and other dangerous drilling practices that use a tremendous amount of water. Fracking requires millions of gallons of water to frack a single well, and once that water is mixed with chemicals in the fracking process, it becomes too dangerous to ever use again. This is just one reason I am a strong supporter of the efforts by the Los Angeles City Council and Senator Holly Mitchell to impose a moratorium on fracking here in Los Angeles and across the state -- it won't only stop a dangerous practice, but will save us water we so desperately need.

When it comes to a reliable water supply, particularly for the large majority of Californians living in Southern California, we must first focus on our local water supply. Prioritizing recycling, conservation and rainwater capture is critical. We need to invest in the programs that will allow us to work in better harmony with the planet, and save money in the long term by being smarter about the ways we use -- and reuse -- water locally.

As I learned from the nuclear reactor in my hometown, it sometimes takes recognition of shared consequences and shared responsibility to motivate people to protect their environment. California's drought affects us all, and as a State Senator, helping to find solutions to our state's water crisis will be one of my top priorities. I look forward to working with you to confront this challenge. After all, we are all in this together.

Stand with Sandra


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Endorsements

  • Sandra Fluke is a champion for California women and their families. She bravely spoke up on Capitol Hill in defense of contraceptive coverage and has been a tireless advocate in California on behalf of legislation like last year’s Abortion Access Bill (AB 154, Atkins). She is not only a pro-choice candidate, but part of a new generation of progressive leaders fighting for reproductive justice. In the Senate, Sandra will join a committed pro-choice majority. Endorsing Sandra was an obvious choice, because we know that she will be a champion and leader for reproductive rights in Sacramento. We’re so excited to help her get there.

    -Amy Everitt, State Director, NARAL Pro-Choice California

  • She is one of a fresh, new generation of feminists, and it is exciting to see her take this step in her political career. I know Sandra will fight in Sacramento for progressive values and change to better the lives of everyone in her district. I look forward to supporting her campaign from now until Election Day!

    -Gloria Steinem

  • Although I would have loved to have her as a colleague in Congress, the people of the 26th Senate District will be lucky to have Sandra fighting for them. Sandra will be able to create the progressive change in Sacramento that unfortunately Congress is unable to achieve in this political climate. This is a great first step for Sandra’s political career and I wholeheartedly endorse her for State Senate.

    -Congresswoman Janice Hahn

  • I am thrilled to endorse Sandra’s bid for State Senate. She is a true progressive leader who has already worked to pass important legislation here in California. As chair of the Education Committee, I know the importance of early childhood education, one of many issues Sandra has championed. Her future constituents will be lucky to have her be their voice in Sacramento.

    -Carol Liu

  • I’ve had the privilege of working with Sandra Fluke several times. I’m impressed with her expertise and eloquence. She is just the kind of advocate with a fresh perspective that we need in Sacramento. I’m confident Sandra will stand up for what is right to protect reproductive freedom, and she’ll be a strong voice as a leader from within a new generation of progressives. I’m proud to support her for election to the California Senate.

    -Sarah Weddington, Attorney who argued the Roe v. Wade case

  • I am pleased and delighted to endorse Sandra for the State Senate. Sandra and I have worked together on legislation to advance issues of gender equality and reproductive justice and as Vice Chair of the Legislative Women’s Caucus, I am proud to offer her my support.

    -State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson

  • I am proud to stand with Sandra Fluke in her bid for California State Senate. Sandra is a strong, hardworking, and dedicated individual with an impressive passion for public service. She is a strong role model and is the right choice to fight for equality and progress in Sacramento.

    -Jennifer Siebel Newsom

  • I am proud to stand with Sandra Fluke in her bid to serve in the California State Senate. Sandra has long been a fearless advocate for women’s rights especially those of women veterans. I am confident that she will, with unwavering courage and endless commitment, continue to serve all who have served our country.

    -Kristen Kavanaugh, Chair, CDP Veterans’ Caucus, Committee on Women Veterans

  • During my 2012 campaign, Sandra came to Rochester and stood with me. I got to know her and I was deeply impressed with her willingness to fight for what she believed in. She remains a champion for women’s health, and has spoken out this year in support of equal pay and access to contraception. She also speaks out for issues that don’t get as much coverage: human trafficking, skyrocketing student loan debt and workers’ rights. I’m proud to support Sandra’s run for State Senate.

    -U.S. Representative Louise Slaughter (NY-25), Ranking Member on the House Rules Committee

  • Sandra Fluke is a fighter, and I know she will make a real difference in the lives of her constituents. Sandra is an incredibly effective champion for the issues that matter to Angelenos. I’m impressed by the work she’s done for victims of human trafficking and domestic violence, as well as her legislative advocacy for worker protections and access to education. I’m proud to endorse Sandra Fluke for State Senate.

    -Honorable Joy Picus, Former Los Angeles City Councilmember

  • I’m proud to endorse Sandra Fluke for State Senate. From our water crisis, to fracking, to the region’s significant transportation challenges – we need an environmental champion in the State Senate fighting every day to protect our communities, and Sandra is that champion. Sandra is a pragmatic and experienced leader who will be a strong advocate for the environment.

    -Nancy Sutley, Former Chair, White House Council on Environmental Quality

  • As a veteran and survivor of sexual assault in the military, I have learned that real strength is the courage to stand up in the face of adversity regardless of how tall the challenge may seem. I support Sandra Fluke because she has the strength and dedication required to represent women and veterans and will ensure that veteran issues are a top priority when she goes to Sacramento.

    -Kate Weber, Mom, Veteran, Advocate, Survivor. 2013 Veteran of the year by the California Democratic Party and Woman Veteran Leader of the Year by Cal Vet

  • In 2012 when I was running for Congress, Sandra came and stood with me. I got to know her as we campaigned together, and I was incredibly impressed by her commitment to California and her willingness to fight for change. Sandra is definitely never one to back down from a challenge! I’m proud to stand with her now and I fully endorse her campaign for State Senate.

    -Congressman Scott Peters

  • I’m endorsing Sandra’s run for California State Senate. She represents a new generation of progressive leadership and she’ll be a fresh voice in government. I’m standing with Sandra and I hope you will, too.​

    -Congressman Joaquin Castro

  • I am so happy to endorse my friend, Sandra Fluke! Sandra has been a strong advocate for social justice and the LGBTQ community. Even before she was known on the national stage, she co-founded a statewide coalition that passed legislation to eliminate discrimination against LGBTQ people in family court, helping protect parents like mine. I know she’ll be a fighter for her constituents and she’ll bring to Sacramento a fresh perspective on progressive issues.

    -Zach Wahls, LGBTQ Rights Activist

  • I strongly admire Sandra’s public service on a number of issues and I am so excited for her to step forward and run for State Senate. Sandra Fluke will be an effective voice for her community and her generation.

    -Christine Pelosi, Chair, Women’s Caucus, California Democratic Party

Paid for by Stand with Sandra Fluke for State Senate 2014 FPPC ID # 1363476
PO Box 146, Agoura Hills, CA 91376

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