Berkeleyside wants to help you get to know your 2022 candidates for Berkeley City Council, School Board, Rent Stabilization Board and more. That’s why we’re publishing questionnaires with local candidates.
A Q&A with Andy Katz, who’s running unopposed for the Ward 4 seat representing Berkeley on the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) Board of Directors, follows. We asked Katz, a worker’s rights and environmental attorney, why he was running and what he’s accomplished, and to spell out his top priorities if reelected.
See all of Berkeleyside’s 2022 election coverage. We’ll continue to publish more stories on the key Berkeley races and ballot initiatives to help readers make informed decisions about the potential leaders and policies that could help shape Berkeley’s future.
Click the questions below to see Katz’s answers.
Why are you running?
I have lead initiatives for sustainability and equity at the East Bay Municipal Utility District. Our aging infrastructure needs reinvestment, and I support sustainable solutions to our water future, including conservation rebates, recycled water, groundwater storage, and fixing aging water mains.
What are your biggest accomplishments?
- Defeating the proposal to raise Pardee Dam, which would have flooded over 6 miles of the Mokelumne River, and securing legislation protecting 17 miles of the Mokelumne River as a Wild and Scenic River.
- Enacting an excessive use penalty to address water waste in drought.
- Expanding the Resource Recovery program, to be the first municipal utility in North America to recycle food scraps into renewable energy.
- Leadership and advocacy on the Alameda County Community Choice Energy Steering Committee to launch East Bay Clean Energy.
- Strengthened Energy Policy requiring zero emissions in our water operations by 2030.
- Standing up for equity – ending all water service terminations, expanding eligibility threshold for low-income rate assistance, and advocating for equitable drought rates.
What will be your three top priorities for your next term in office?
- Continue to ensure that the Water Supply Management Plan reflects conservation and recycling targets that reflects our environmental values.
- Focus investments on maintenance of the existing water infrastructure.
- Protect San Francisco Bay from pollution.
- Expand water conservation pilot programs to scale for more customers.
- Reviewing water rates, including drought rates, to ensure they are equitable and encourage conservation.
- Expanding K-12 outdoor education using our ranger watershed tours.
The deadline to register to vote online or by mail in Alameda County is Oct. 24, and the election is Tuesday, Nov. 8. We put together a guide to the essentials of how to register and vote, what’s on the ballot, voters’ rights and more.
Here are some other helpful election resources:
- The city of Berkeley’s election portal and candidate statements
- Don’t know your Berkeley City Council district? The city website has a handy tool for that.
- Voter’s Edge: View a personalized ballot by entering your address.
- Voter guides from the Daily Cal, CalMatters, KQED, the Bay Area News Group and The League of Women Voters Berkeley Albany and Emeryville
- Check your voter registration status (and sign up to get election materials online).
- Find your voter profile (Alameda County registrar of voters).
See complete 2022 election coverage on Berkeleyside.
