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From San Bernardino County Approves Financing Authority for Cadiz Pipeline

How could the new San Bernardino Water and Power Authority affect the Inland Empire Utilities Agency?

Likely What happens if… A possibility worth considering, not a forecast.

IEUA gains governing role in new authority focused on regional water financing The approval of the joint powers agreement led to the formation of the San Bernardino Water and Power Authority, which is tasked with financing regional water and energy infrastructure. The Inland Empire Utilities Agency formally joined this authority on September 2. As a result, the IEUA board President, Steve Elie, serves as the authority's president, giving the agency a direct governing role in the decisions regarding infrastructure funding. While the authority aims to provide a cost-effective way to finance projects and lower costs for county residents and businesses, costs associated with the financed projects could ultimately be passed along to water customers through future water purchase agreements.

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How it reaches Inland Empire Utilities Agency

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The facts so far

As reported. Each one links to where it comes from.

  • The San Bernardino Water and Power Authority was formed via a joint powers agreement approved by the County Board of Supervisors.redlandsdailyfacts.com
  • The Inland Empire Utilities Agency formally joined the authority on September 2.redlandsdailyfacts.com
  • The authority's governing board includes Inland Empire Utilities Agency board President Steve Elie as president.redlandsdailyfacts.com
  • The authority can issue revenue bonds, seek state and federal grants and attract private investment.redlandsdailyfacts.com

Why it matters

The formation of the San Bernardino Water and Power Authority is a significant development for regional water security in Southern California, as it creates a new public financing mechanism for large-scale infrastructure projects. This authority is intended to support Cadiz's Mojave Groundwater Bank, a project that aims to pump an average of 50,000 acre-feet annually over 50 years to serve approximately 400,000 Southern California residents.

For the Inland Empire Utilities Agency, joining the governing board provides a direct structural role in overseeing how regional water and energy infrastructure is financed. While the authority aims to lower costs for county residents and businesses, the involvement of the IEUA means it is positioned to influence the financial and operational decisions of a body that could ultimately see costs passed along to water customers.

What we don't know yet

  • What specific policies will the authority adopt regarding conflict of interest and debt management?
  • Will the authority ultimately fund any of Cadiz’s specific projects, such as the Northern Pipeline?

What would change this answer

The authority successfully secures major state or federal grants for the Mojave Groundwater Bank.This would increase the authority's financial capacity and make the IEUA's involvement more critical to the project's success.
The authority establishes strict oversight mechanisms regarding water purchase agreements and debt repayment.This would mitigate the risk of costs being passed along to water customers, limiting the financial exposure for participating agencies.

Reporting

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The full eventSan Bernardino County Approves Financing Authority for Cadiz Pipeline Everything aboutInland Empire Utilities Agency

Brind's analysis is written by AI from the reporting linked above and can be wrong. This explainer is a possibility worth considering, not a forecast: steps marked as Brind's reasoning are not stated in the reporting. It is not investment advice; do your own research.