Heather Cooley sees that there's still plenty of potential for Californians to be more efficient with their water. As the Water Program Coordinator for the Pacific Institute, Cooley conducts and oversees research on an array of water issues, such as the connections between water and energy and sustainable water use and management. Drawing from her expertise, she has testified before the U.S. Congress on the impacts of climate disruption for agriculture as well as innovative approaches to solving water problems in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. 

Cooley has received the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Award for Outstanding Achievement and her work was recognized when the Pacific Institute received the first U.S. Water Prize in 2011.