(An Alternative to AB 1021)....The Assembly Bill was authored by Yucca Valley Assemblyman Chad Hayes.

The Imperial Irrigation District sees the bill as a threat to the Districts water rights and policy in the Imperial Valley. Among other things, the bill calls for additions to the IID Board of Directors to include residents from Riverside County. The new Directors would have a vote on everything IID, including water issues. The District does not provide water to the Coachella Valley in Riverside County. They only provide electrical service to some areas. This week the Imperial Irrigation District approved a resolution to form a Coachella Valley Energy Commission composed of IID Directors and Coachella Valley representatives to address local energy issues and plkan for continued energy services to the Coachella Valley. The resolution also provides that in the event the alternative fails to result in the removal of the bill from the Legislature, IID management and staff would be directed to immediately prepare a Coachella Valley Exit Plan and legal action as defensive measures to protect the district and Imperial Valley's water rights if enacted by law. The resolution passed on a 3-1 vote, with Director Norma Sierra galindo voting no, and Director Alex Cardenas abstaining.