Congressman Vince Fong (CA-20) voted in favor of H.R. 4553, the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriation Act for 2026, which includes funding measures aimed at supporting water and energy infrastructure in California’s Central Valley.
Fong emphasized the importance of these resources to the region. “The Central Valley is the energy capital of California and one of the most productive agricultural regions in the nation,” said Congressman Fong. “Our community knows that water is life, and a strong energy sector is essential to our success and stability. This critical bill lays the foundation for greater water security and invests in much-needed energy infrastructure to strengthen and modernize our power grid. I championed efforts to ensure this legislation directs more resources to California’s 20th District – a place that feeds and fuels America – because what we do ensures the prosperity of our state and nation.”
Key provisions in the appropriations act include $14.6 million for the Success Reservoir Enlargement Project, which will allow final work on Schafer Dam by reimbursing non-federal partners involved with land acquisition, easements, rights-of-way, relocations, or disposal sites (LERRDS). The Lake Success Enlargement Project is close to completion and will more than double flood protection for downstream communities. Officials say this investment will help capture more water during wet years, improving public safety and water supply reliability.
The act also provides $20 million for canal infrastructure improvements managed by the Bureau of Reclamation. These funds are intended to restore water conveyance capacity lost due to subsidence—a problem that has forced reductions in canal capacity across millions of acres of farmland. Restoring these canals is seen as vital for efficient water delivery throughout the Central Valley.
An additional $134 million from a total pool earmarked under Section 4007 of the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act will go toward regional projects such as Shasta Reservoir upgrades. The goal is to enhance storage capacity so that more water can be saved during wet seasons in preparation for future droughts. Fong advocated for increased funding beyond initial requests due to local needs.
The WIIN Act itself would be reauthorized through 2027 under this legislation, supporting ongoing investments in groundwater storage, desalination projects, and expanded overall storage capacity. Lawmakers believe these steps are necessary given unpredictable weather patterns that bring both droughts and floods.
Additional highlights from H.R. 4553 include nearly $20.7 billion allocated for nuclear weapons modernization and over $2 billion for maintaining the U.S. Navy’s nuclear fleet. The bill also prohibits crude oil sales from U.S. reserves to China’s government or its entities, while restricting purchases of technology from certain foreign adversaries.
Other elements focus on strengthening domestic energy production—such as investments in mining technologies related to critical minerals—and support demonstration projects involving advanced nuclear reactors with an aim toward expanding U.S. nuclear energy generation by 2050.
Improvements are also planned for ports and waterways nationwide to facilitate transport efficiency.
