Support AB 1156—Help Save Jobs and Lower Energy Costs

Dear [Lawmaker Name],

As your constituent, I’m urging you to support AB 1156 (Wicks)—a commonsense solution that addresses both California’s water crisis and our state’s need for affordable, clean energy and good-paying jobs.

Due to water shortages, nearly 1 million acres of farmland are being forced out of production. That means lost jobs, lost income, and hardship for countless working families in communities like mine.

But this challenge presents an opportunity. AB 1156 updates the Solar-Use Easement program so that land that can’t be farmed right now can instead host solar projects—putting that land to work again.

This legislation will:

• Create up to 22,000 well-paying construction jobs each year

• Generate billions in local tax revenue and labor income

• Provide farmers with an economic lifeline

• Help lower electricity bills for working families

• Maintain local control through review by Groundwater Sustainability Agencies

• Ensure land can return to farming in the future

We’ve seen this work. In the San Joaquin Valley, solar projects like the Luna Valley facility created over 150 jobs for electrical workers and brought millions to local governments and landowners. This bill scales that kind of success.

We can’t afford to let this opportunity be derailed. California needs affordable energy—and we need jobs. AB 1156 delivers both.

I hope I can count on your support.