PPIC Water Policy Center senior fellow Ellen Hanak testified at the Assembly Select Committee on Permitting Reform on October 16, 2024. Here are her prepared remarks. … During our many discussions with stakeholders over the years, one consistent theme has emerged: the time and cost of permitting to undertake water projects both large and small. … While each individual permitting requirement was introduced to meet a well-intended policy goal, the cumulative effect can be daunting, causing years of delay and escalating costs, and even outright preventing actions that would serve the greater good. In short, permitting challenges are keeping us from taking timely action to build water system resiliency, while increasing affordability challenges.