Irvine Ranch Water District Honors Maureen O’Haren as Partner

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Contact: Shannon Reed, Public Affairs Manager
reeds@irwd.com, (949) 453-5500

O’Haren has Represented IRWD at State Level for Nine Years

The Irvine Ranch Water District Board of Directors honored state advocate Maureen O’Haren as a key partner in service to the community at its meeting on February 13.

“During her tenure representing IRWD, Maureen has helped us enact a wide array of important legislation on a variety of topics, from water softeners to the plumbing code, to sewer improvement financing,” said IRWD General Manager Paul Cook.

O’Haren and her former partner, Phil Isenberg, began representing IRWD in Sacramento in 2003. She has been leading the charge on IRWD’s state advocacy since 2010, when Isenberg joined the Delta Stewardship Council and O’Haren went out on her own as O’Haren Public Affairs.

There are three bills Cook highlighted that represent both the types of legislation O’Haren helped to make law, and her expertise in doing just that:

  •  AB 2882, authored by then-Assembly Member Lois Wolk. This bill amended and clarified existing law to authorize local agencies to adopt allocation-based, conservation rate structures, or, as often referred to  – IRWD’s rate structure.  Since this bill was signed into law in 2008, IRWD has received many inquiries from people interested in implementing the IRWD rate structure.
  • AB 1406, authored by Assembly Member Jared Huffman, added condominiums to the list of structures in which the use of recycled water for toilet flushing is permitted.  Not only did this bill showcase the fact that an Orange County water district can partner with a Marin County legislator, it also highlighted IRWD’s ongoing efforts to push the envelope when it comes to recycled water use in California.
  • SB 613, authored by Senators Tom Harman and Lou Correa, provided the District with the authority to pledge the general revenue of the District directly to bondholders for variable rate debt thus eliminating IRWD’s need to purchase letters of credit.  This bill saved IRWD millions of dollars.

 IRWD has kept O’Haren busy over the years – and this year is proving to be no different.  Between all of the larger statewide issues the District will be working on – the Water Bond, infrastructure financing, the Delta (including the Stewardship Council and BDCP), Pension Reform, to name a few – plus the issues near and dear to IRWD such as WateReuse’s Law of Recycled Water; removing barriers to energy and water efficiency partnerships; AQMD requirements and the District’s ability to use fleet vehicles for emergency use, this will be another busy legislative year.

“We are truly fortunate to have Maureen as our representative in Sacramento,” Cook concluded. “The unique mix of skills that Maureen brings to the table including her work ethic and her political strategy prowess, has served us well.  Maureen’s ability to make things happen in the Capitol for the District is invaluable. “

Please visit our website for more information about IRWD Community Partners and Public Policy.

Maureen O'Haren, third from left, was honored by IRWD Board members John Withers and Peer Swan, General Manager Paul Cook; Board President Mary Aileen Matheis and Board Member Steve LaMar.

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