California has taken a significant step forward in its long-term water storage agenda, with Governor Gavin Newsom announcing that the California Water Commission has approved an additional $268.9 million for the Sites Reservoir project. The new tranche brings the state’s total eligible investment through the Water Storage Investment Program to $1.363 billion. … The facility is seen as a cornerstone of California’s strategy to cope with increasingly volatile precipitation patterns driven by climate change, which have produced sharper swings between drought and flooding in recent years. … Before funding can be formally disbursed, the project must still satisfy a series of voter-mandated conditions, including securing financing, obtaining permits, completing environmental review, and contracting with the relevant state agencies.

Related:

• KRCR (Redding, Calif.): California Water Commission approves $268.9 million funding for Sites Reservoir
• Action News Now (Chico, Calif.): California Water Commission unanimously awards $268.9 million in funding to the Sites Reservoir Project
• FOX26/KPMH (Bakersfield, Calif.): California Water Commission boosts potential funding for Sites Reservoir project