OROVILLE, CA (MPG) – Assemblyman James Gallagher (R-Yuba City) issued the following statement in reaction to the shutdown of Hyatt Powerplant at Lake Oroville due to low water levels:

“Lake Oroville was full two years ago. Yes, there’s been a drought, but reservoirs are meant to hold water for dry years. What has happened at this lake is nothing short of government mismanagement and misplaced priorities.

“Governor Newsom just wants to throw up his hands and say, ‘nothing we can do, it’s climate change’.

But Californians should reject the Governor’s cop outs and excuses. Draining the lake to a historic low was preventable. And the forced shutdown of Hyatt Powerplant was preventable. With proper forest management, catastrophic wildfires are preventable.

“Between the news about Hyatt and the fires ripping across the North State, I’m in absolute disgust. My heart breaks for the fire victims and the families who rely on California’s once bountiful water supply.”

Assemblyman James Gallagher represents the 3rd Assembly District, which encompasses all of Glenn, Sutter, Tehama and Yuba counties as well as portions of Butte and Colusa counties.