US EditionWhy Is Gov. Newsom Trying to Fast-Track the Delta Tunnel Project Again?
- In 2025, Governor Gavin Newsom is urging California lawmakers to expedite the $20 billion Delta Conveyance Project, a 45-mile tunnel designed to redirect river flows from Northern California’s Sacramento-San Joaquin region to the arid areas of Southern California.
- Newsom argues the project is critical to modernize water infrastructure amid climate change, but critics warn it threatens local ecosystems, communities, and represents a broken process limiting local input.
- Opposition comes from the Delta Caucus legislators, environmental advocates, and tribal leaders who claim the tunnel diverts resources unfairly, risks farmland and fisheries, and excludes sufficient environmental review.
- The project would cost over $20 billion, funded by Southern California ratepayers, and critics say it may increase water bills without adding new water storage or adequately protecting the Delta's environment.
- The dispute implies ongoing legal and political challenges, with lawmakers and community leaders committed to opposing the tunnel while Newsom pushes legislative shortcuts to expedite approval and construction.
11 Articles
11 Articles
Cal Matters
Mountain View Voice$20B Delta Tunnel project sparks fight between Newsom, lawmakers
An aerial view of Threemile Slough in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta near Rio Vista on May 19, 2024. Photo by Loren Elliott for CalMatters State legislators are clashing with Gov. Gavin Newsom and his call to speed up a $20 billion state water project. During the unveiling of his updated state budget plan last week, Newsom called for legislation that would accelerate the Delta Conveyance Project, which aims to reroute more water from N…
California Delta Leaders Blast Newsom’s Push to Fast-Track $20 Billion Water Tunnel
Less than a week after Gov. Gavin Newsom called on the Legislature to accelerate a contentious delta tunnel project, a group of lawmakers is calling on their peers to reject the idea.
Delta Tribes and Statewide Organizations Urge Legislators to Reject Governor Newsom’s Delta Tunnel and Bay-Delta Plan Trailer Bills – Restore the Delta
For Immediate Release:May 20, 2025 Contact:Alexandra Nagy, alexandra@sunstonestrategies.org Groups call on lawmakers to protect environmental safeguards and public processes while rejecting attempts to fast-track costly infrastructure projects Sacramento, CA — The Delta Tribal Environmental Coalition (DTEC) and a coalition of statewide organizations dedicated to the equitable stewardship of California’s water resources sent letters to legislativ…
pleasantonweekly.com
Lawmakers attack governor’s plan to streamline Delta tunnel
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Fifteen California lawmakers from both parties are up in arms over Gov. Gavin Newsom’s latest proposal to to use the budget process to fast-track the Delta tunnel — a deeply controversial, $20 billion plan to replumb the estuary and funnel more water south. […] The post Lawmakers attack governor’s plan to streamline Delta tunnel appeared first on Pleasanton Weekly.
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