FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 11, 2022
Contact: Michael Blenner, michael.blenner@sierraclub.org
MWD Board Votes in New, Pro-Environment Board Chair
Los Angeles, CA - Today, the board of the largest water wholesaler in Southern California, Metropolitan Water District (MWD), voted in a new chair of the board of directors, Adán Ortega. Ortega serves an underserved district, the city of San Fernando. Ortega won with 81% of votes in his favor.
During his hearing, Ortega said that MWD has wasted “half a billion dollars in the last 25 years [without seeing] a drop of water,” on the environmentally destructive Delta Conveyance project (the Delta Tunnel) and noted that the project would not bring in water for at least another 20-25 years, while solutions are necessary now. Sierra Club California and its allies have consistently opposed the project and urged MWD to prioritize local, sustainable water solutions. Ortega has pledged to find common ground and bring the members of the board together. Several members have said that they look forward to his leadership and Dir. Repenning said that he “outworks all of us.”
MWD’s board also voted this week to update their Bay Delta policy updates, which will include a reduced reliance on the Bay Delta in accordance with the coequal goals of the Delta Reform Act, and equitable participation in projects by environmental justice communities.
In response, Caty Wagner, Sierra Club California SoCal Water Organizer, issued the following statement:
“Sierra Club California is tremendously excited for this new chapter of the MWD board. We thank former Chair Gray for her public service and for her hard work, and are hopeful that incoming Chair Ortega will continue to be critical of public spending on infrastructure.
Ortega’s tenure as a board member has been bold and his votes aligned with environmental interests. He is knowledgeable on water issues, and has consistently rallied for underserved communities and the environment. We look forward to working with him to prioritize local, sustainable water investments over imported water so that we may reduce our reliance on the Bay Delta.”
Charming Evelyn, Co-Chair, Sierra Club California Water Committee, issued the following statement:
“We appreciate that Gloria Gray has always been a gracious board chair, even when we were at opposite ends of an issue. It’s important to be gracious in this business, which can often be antagonistic. As the first woman of color to be MWD board chair, Gloria shattered the glass ceiling at one of the largest water agencies in the US and served as an inspiration for many little children just like her. Sierra Club thanks her for her service and for shepherding MWD through its own little piece of history.
Sierra Club California is the legislative and regulatory arm of Sierra Club’s 13 local chapters in California, representing half a million members and supporters.