AP News reports that California Gov. Gavin Newsom asked California residents and businesses to voluntarily cut the amount of water they use by 15%. Currently, Lake Oroville is at 30% capacity and Lopez Lake is at 34% capacity. With a record drought, impacts of climate change, and fire concerns, Newsom’s request for voluntary conservation efforts is an attempt to prepare for next year. Newsom has added nine additional counties to an emergency drought proclamation which covers 42% of the state’s population.
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