San Bernardino – October 19, 2026 -- Public water agencies in San Bernardino County, California, have formed the San Bernardino Water and Power Authority, a joint powers authority created to finance water and power infrastructure in Inland Empire and High Desert communities.
Authority elects Inland Empire Utilities Agency board president as its head
The Authority held its first meeting on October 5 and elected Steve Elie, Board President of the Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA), as President. San Bernardino County and Fenner Gap Mutual Water Company voted to form the body on April 21, 2026. IEUA formally joined on September 2, 2026.
On September 17, the Board of Commissioners of the Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority voted to express its intent to join.
Four-member board spans county, utility and mutual water company
Barbara Lloyd of Fenner Gap serves as Treasurer. Dakota Higgins, representing County Supervisor Paul Cook, is Interim Secretary. County Supervisor Curt Hagman also sits on the board.
Authority targets recycling, stormwater capture and groundwater recharge
The Authority will support the county's strategy to expand water recycling and reclamation, capture stormwater, recharge groundwater basins, restore impaired groundwater supplies and reduce dependence on imported water. It will offer low-cost financing for interconnected water and energy projects, with the aim of lowering customer costs and supporting new housing.
It was established under California's Joint Exercise of Powers Act. It is designed to channel public and private capital, including revenue bonds and State and Federal funding, into water supply, treatment, conveyance, groundwater storage and related energy infrastructure.
Private capital is central to the financing pitch
Elie said Inland Empire water agencies face significant capital investment needs and that the Authority will widen access to both public and private capital. Susan Kennedy, President of Fenner Gap, said the next generation of water infrastructure requires "a much greater role for private capital." She argued that public-private partnerships can deliver projects at a scale and cost that traditional public financing alone cannot match.
County Board Chairman Dawn Rowe said the county approved the Authority to give local agencies a cost-effective financing vehicle for critical infrastructure.