New Feinstein Drought Relief Bill Focuses On Recycling, Desalination
WASHINGTON (CBS13) -- Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California has come out with a new drought relief bill that emphasizes long-term investments in desalination, recycling and new or expanded reservoirs.
The bill is dramatically different from an effort last year that stalled.
Feinstein said Wednesday that her bill would cost an estimated $1.3 billion over 10 years. Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer is a co-sponsor.
Republican lawmakers in the House have passed a drought relief bill that focuses on taking more water out of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta before it flows into the ocean and diverting it south to other uses.
Feinstein says it's impossible to make more water available without spending money.
She is looking to have the bill included in a broader Senate drought effort focusing on the entire West.
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press.