Testimonies

Flaring Events at the Chevron Richmond Refinery

On July 15, 2008, Eli Moore provided public comment to the Richmond City Council about the quantity of flaring events at the Chevron Richmond refinery since 2003 during a hearing on the Draft Environment Impact Report of the Chevron Energy and Hydrogen Renewal Project.

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Climate Change, Extreme Weather, and Water Resources

On July 10, 2008, Heather Cooley testified before the U.S. Congress Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming on the rising risk of extreme weather-related events as a result of climatic changes and their impact on water resources, with a focus on the western United States.

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On October 16, 2007, Swati Prakash testified on the community health and justice impacts of port trucking before the California Assembly Committee on Labor and Employment and Assembly Select Committee on Ports.

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On July 2, 2007 Heather Cooley testified before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Water and Power regarding the role that conservation and efficiency can play in restoring the health of California's Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

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Critical Impacts of Climate Change to
Calif. Water Resources and Coastal Systems

At a hearing on the California Air Resources Board Request for a Waiver of Preemption, Peter Gleick testified before the California Environmental Protection Agency on May 30, 2007 regarding the impacts of climate change on California's water resouces and coastal systems.

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Incorporating Climate Change
Into Water Resource Decisions

On February 20, 2007 Peter Gleick testified before the California Assembly Committee on Water, Parks & Wildlife at the informational hearing, "Climate Change and Water Resources." Gleick summarized four questions related to climate change and water resources:

1. What has been done to deal with water-related risks of climate-change?
2. What has not been done?
3. What should not be done?
4. What should be done?

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Washington’s Attacks on Science “Pervasive”

Testimony submitted February 7, 2007.

Political distortions of the scientific process have undergone a dramatic rise in Washington over the past six years, according to the Senate testimony of Dr. Peter Gleick, president of the Pacific Institute. Gleick’s testimony was provided to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation hearing on Climate Change Research and Science Integrity Wednesday. Misuse of science and attacks on scientists, Gleick finds, have been pervasive and categorical.

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Gleick Addresses Congressional Committee
On Security Risks of Climate Change

"It is widely acknowledged that the dependence of the U.S. on imported energy resources can lead to economic pressures and tensions or as triggers to conflict when other pressures and tensions exist between nations. Less appreciated is the extent to which the environmental impacts of energy use can lead to international security threats, especially when those impacts are as severe and wide-ranging as climate change."

On May 16, 2006, Peter Gleick addressed Congress at a hearing entitled "Energy as a Weapon: Implications for U.S. Security."

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Assemblyman Nation Invites Gleick to
Climate Change Town Hall Meeting

"The risks to (California’s) water are real; and the state and federal agencies looking at our water problems need to do a better job of addressing them. Climate change is a complicated and difficult issue, but not nearly as complicated as some think. Let me offer you a summary of the major concerns for California’s water resources ..."

On March 10, 2006, Peter Gleick addressed a Town Hall Meeting on Climate Change called by Assemblyman Joe Nation.

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US EPA Hearing on Particulate Matter

Testimony delivered March 8, 2006

"Our West Oakland diesel study found that some West Oakland residents are exposed to about five times more diesel particulates than residents in other parts of Oakland. This is
also a community where asthma is epidemic: children in West Oakland are seven times more likely to be hospitalized for asthma than the average child in California."

Pacific Institute Program Associate Emily Lee testified on National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particulate Matter.

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Testimony delivered February 14, 2006

"As California’s population and economy grow, there is mounting concern about our ability to meet future water demand. The traditional approach to meeting this demand has been to develop new supply by building pipelines, dams, reservoirs, and aqueducts to capture, store, and move water from one place or season to another. While this approach has brought tremendous benefits to this state, it has also brought serious and unexpected costs. There is another way: improving the efficiency with which we use water is the cheapest, easiest, and least destructive way to meet California’s current and future water supply needs."

Pacific Institute President Peter Gleick testified before the California State Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water on the topic of Governor Schwarzenegger's water bond proposal and statewide water management.

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Institute Testifies on State Water Planning and Conservation Need before the California Assembly Select Committee on Growth and Infrastructure

Testimony delivered October 19, 2005

"As California’s population and economy grow, there is mounting concern about our ability to meet future water demand. The traditional approach to meeting this demand has been to develop new infrastructure. While this approach has brought tremendous benefits to this state, there are serious inadequacies that a broader approach may help resolve."

Pacific Institute's Heather Cooley testifies about the fiscal, social, and environmental benefits of water-use efficiency and conservation in order to meet California’s current and future water supply needs.

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Gleick Testifies on Impact of Climate Change on California's Water Future

"There are things we should be doing right now. California water planners have not adequately addressed this issue, at the federal, state, or local levels. In particular, the Department of Water Resources has not addressed this issue adequately, nor has CALFED."

On August 11, 2005 Peter Gleick testified before the California Assembly Select Committee on Air and Water Quality.

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Institute Testifies on Water Issues to Joint Session of California Legislature

Testimony delivered on March 2, 2005

Water is critical for all we do. It is vital for human and ecosystem health, the production of energy and food, industrial and commercial activities, and maintaining healthy and vibrant communities.

In "Water for our Future," Dr. Peter H. Gleick details the bad news regarding California's water, lays out water myths and taboos, and ends with good news and recommendations. This testimony was presented on March 2 to a Joint Hearing of the California Senate and Assembly Committees on "The State of California's Environment: Obstacles and Opportunities" in Sacramento, California.

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Gleick to U.S. Congress: Water Efficiency is the WayWater Efficiency, Conservation are Greatest Untapped Sources of Water in U.S.

Testimony delivered on June 4, 2003

Water conservation and efficiency are the greatest untapped sources of water in this nation -- cheaper, cleaner, and more politically acceptable than any other alternative. That was the central message of testimony given today by Dr. Peter H. Gleick, President of the Pacific Institute, to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment of the U.S. House of Representatives.

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Institute Testifies on Need for National Water Commission
National Water Commission Needed to Head New Effort to Ease U.S., Global Water Crisis

Testimony delivered on April 1, 2003

The United States should establish a National Water Commission for the 21st Century to direct an aggressive new effort to protect our national water resources and to advise the country on how to best to participate in addressing the global water crisis. The Pacific Institute called for the creation of a National Water Commission on March 11, 2003 and Dr. Peter H. Gleick, President of the Pacific Institute, spoke to its importance in testimony he made to the Subcommittee on Water and Power of the U.S. House of Representatives on April 1. Dr. Gleick also addressed the benefits and flaws of House bill H.R. 135, which seeks to establish a National Water Commission.

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