EPA Administrator Disappointed by Lack of Progress on Clean Water in San Joaquin Valley

Last week, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy said she was disappointed by the slow progress in bringing clean drinking water to small towns in San Joaquin Valley.  Last spring, the federal government threatened to halt funding for clean drinking water because state officials failed to spend $455 million in federal funds. During her three-day visit to California, McCarthy also discussed the Obama administration's plan to address climate change by regulating carbon dioxide emissions from new power plants and a soon-to-be-released rule that will give EPA authority over U.S. water bodies under the Clean Water Act.

• "EPA Head Laments Lack of Clean Water in San Joaquin Valley" (Barboza/Garrison, Los Angeles Times, 11/21).