WSIP Early Funding - Removal of Dollar Amount Cap

The Water Storage Investment Program (WSIP) implements Proposition 1, Chapter 8, which provided $2.7 billion for the public benefits of water storage projects. To implement this chapter, the California Water Commission (Commission) adopted program regulations, as required in Chapter 8. Water Code section 79755(c) allows for early funding of projects to assist with work related to completion of environmental documents and permits.

On June 30th, 2025, Commission staff sent via email and listserv, a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to Remove the Dollar Amount Cap on Early Funding (Notice). The Notice and other related documents were also uploaded to the Commission website on June 30th, 2025. On July 4th, 2025, the Notice was published in the California Regulatory Notice Register.

The proposed change removes the dollar amount cap for early funding (23 CCR § 6010 (b)(5) and (e)(1)), which could potentially contradict the percentage cap for early funding as set forth in the WSIP regulations (23 CCR § 6010(b)(4)).

A public comment period for the proposed regulation change was held from July 4th, 2025, to August 18th, 2025, and a public hearing was held on August 20th, 2025. After the public hearing on August 20th, 2025, and receiving comments during both the public comment period and the public hearing, the Commission voted to adopt the proposed regulation.

The Office of Administrative Law (OAL) is reviewing this rulemaking action.

Rulemaking Files: