San Bernardino Water and Power Authority Formed to Finance New Infrastructure
News related to:San Bernardino Water and Power Authority · 2 min read
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif., Oct. 19, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- California Inland Empire agencies have formed a new public joint powers authority (JPA) to support the development of sustainable, affordable water and energy infrastructure in the region. The San Bernardino Water and Power Authority (SBWPA) was established on October 5, 2026, with the aim of expanding access to capital and keeping water and energy services affordable for local communities.
The JPA was formed by the San Bernardino County, Fenner Gap Mutual Water Company, and the Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA). IEUA officially joined the Authority on September 2, 2026, and the Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority (VVWRA) Board of Commissioners voted to join the Authority on September 17, 2026.
The governing board of the SBWPA includes Steve Elie, representing IEUA, as President; Barbara Lloyd, representing Fenner Gap, as Treasurer; Dakota Higgins, representing San Bernardino County Supervisor Paul Cook, as Interim Secretary; and Supervisor Curt Hagman, representing San Bernardino County.
The SBWPA's mission is to reduce infrastructure financing costs and support the development of essential water and energy infrastructure. The Authority will facilitate access to public and private capital, including revenue bonds and State and Federal funding, to finance water supply, treatment, reclamation, stormwater capture, conveyance, groundwater storage, and related energy infrastructure.
The SBWPA's establishment is part of San Bernardino County's regional strategy to develop sustainable, affordable water and energy infrastructure, expand water recycling and reclamation, capture stormwater, recharge groundwater basins, restore impaired groundwater supplies, and reduce dependence on imported water. By providing low-cost financing for interconnected water and energy projects, the Authority aims to support new housing and sustainable economic growth in the Inland Empire and High Desert communities.
The Authority will support San Bernardino County's regional strategy to develop sustainable, affordable water and energy infrastructure, expand water recycling and reclamation, capture stormwater, recharge groundwater basins, restore impaired groundwater supplies, and reduce dependence on imported water. By providing low-cost financing for interconnected water and energy projects, the Authority will help local agencies lower costs for customers while supporting new housing and sustainable economic growth.
The County approved creation of the Authority to strengthen regional cooperation and support development of essential water and power infrastructure, said Supervisor Dawn Rowe, Chairman of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors.
Water agencies throughout the Inland Empire face significant capital investment needs, said Steve Elie, President of the Authority and President of the Inland Empire Utilities Agency.
Public-private partnerships can deliver major infrastructure at a scale and cost that traditional public financing alone cannot achieve, said Susan Kennedy, President of Fenner Gap Mutual Water Company.
The San Bernardino Water and Power Authority (SBWPA) is a public financing entity established by San Bernardino County and Fenner Gap Mutual Water Company under California's Joint Exercise of Powers Act, which allows public agencies to jointly exercise common powers through a separate public entity. The Authority facilitates access to public and private capital, including revenue bonds and State and Federal funding, to finance water supply, treatment, reclamation, stormwater capture, conveyance, groundwater storage and related energy infrastructure. Its mission is to reduce infrastructure financing costs and help keep water and energy services affordable for local communities.