California's safe drinking water program, which has helped over 1 million people, faces funding cuts due to proposed changes to the carbon market. - The carbon market was supposed to provide $130 million annually through 2030, but new laws remove the guarantee.
- Communities like Allensworth and Porterville rely on this funding for emergency bottled water and infrastructure. - Legislative analysts warn funding could run out by 2027-28, affecting 600,000 residents still without safe water.
The Newsom administration's climate overhaul deprioritizes water programs, sparking criticism from lawmakers and advocates.