You are now in California and the U.S. Home Headline Media Coverage category.

Biden Administration Moves to Scrap Cadiz Water Pipeline Right-Of-Way Permit, Cleared by Trump

/in , , /by /Los Angeles Timesby Alex Wigglesworth, Ian James

Federal authorities have moved to reverse a Trump administration decision that cleared the way for Cadiz Inc. to pipe water across public land in the California desert.

The request filed in federal court Friday, which must still be granted, could deal a blow to the company’s decades-long effort to pump groundwater from beneath its desert property 200 miles east of Los Angeles and sell it to urban Southern California. The project is fiercely opposed by conservationists, who say it will dry up desert springs and seeps relied upon by Indigenous tribes and rare wildlife. Cadiz insists its plans won’t harm springs in the area.

Full Story

Pair of Storms Expected to Bring Rain to SoCal This Week

/in , , /by /KTLA 5by Tony Kurzwell, Henry DiCarlo

A pair of storms are on their way to Southern California this week and will bring the region a chance of showers on Tuesday and Thursday.

Above-average temperatures are expected on Monday, but clouds will begin to increase later in the day as a weak weather system begins to move over the Southland.

Forecasters are calling for a chance of rain Tuesday afternoon, with only about .10 of an inch expected.

Full Story

‘Snow Drought’ is Threatening the Western US, and That Could Become a Massive Problem

/in , /by /Science Alertby Carly Cassella

The western United States has built their water infrastructure on a melting foundation, and unless we do something about global warming, scientists worry the consequences will be catastrophic.

Full Story

Billions for Climate Protection Fuel New Debate: Who Deserves It Most

/in , /by /New York Timesby Christopher Flavelle

The new infrastructure law signed by President Biden includes almost $50 billion to protect communities against climate change, the largest such investment in United States history and a recognition that the effects of warming are outpacing America’s ability to cope.

Mr. Biden has insisted that at least 40 percent of the benefits of federal climate spending will reach underserved places, which tend to be low-income, rural, communities of color, or some combination of the three.

Full Story

Water Agency Amends Plans for Delta Tunnel

/in , /by /Brentwood Pressby Tony Kukulich

The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) amended a federal permit application last week to change to the preferred tunnel route for the proposed Delta Conveyance Project (DCP), a move that has Delta advocates questioning DWR’s long-term plans for the South Delta.

The agency said the move was necessary to align the federal permit application – known as a Section 404 and filed with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) – and a draft environmental impact report that is currently being prepared by DWR. The so-called Bethany Alternative will be the preferred project in both documents, though DWR stressed that the change does not indicate that a decision has been made with regard to the route the tunnel will take if the project is approved.

Full Story

Off-Season Irrigation Could Pause as Reclamation ‘Pays Back’ PacifiCorp Reservoirs

/in , /by /Klamath Falls Herald and Newsby Alex Schwartz

After a summer spent drying up, Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge finally began receiving a measurable flow of water, thanks to the start of the winter irrigation season on December 1. The refuge can receive up to 11,000 acre-feet of water between December and February depending on how Upper Klamath Lake is filling.

Full Story
Helix Water District Logo Square officers for 2021

Helix Water District Invited to Apply for $15.8M WIFIA Loan

/in , /by

12/3/2021 – Today, Helix Water District was invited by the US Environmental Protection Agency to apply for a $15.8 million low-interest loan to help finance major water infrastructure upgrades in East County.

The Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act loan will help the district pay for over $32 million worth of needed capital improvement projects and facility upgrades. The projects improve water reliability, quality and increase energy efficiency throughout the district’s 50 square mile service area.

A low-interest loan offers flexibility by allowing the district to tackle larger capital improvement projects while also keeping other projects on schedule. Financing the district’s upcoming projects also benefits customers by providing rate stability.

Download File

California Regional Meeting to Feature Panels on How to Meet Climate Goals

/in , , /by /National Hydropower Association Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority

In 2016, California set a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030. This is the most aggressive emissions reduction target in the United States. California Governor Gavin Newsom is directing California state agencies to accelerate the state’s progress toward its climate goals and is evaluating pathways for the state to achieve carbon neutrality by 2035.

Meeting these goals means a major shift in how electric power is generated and a greater reliance upon renewable sources, which, in turn, will lead to new kinds of investments, markets, and business practices.

One of the most promising pumped storage hydro solutions in California is the proposed 500-MW San Vicente Energy Storage Facility under consideration by a partnership of the San Diego County Water Authority and the City of San Diego.

Full Story
Sweetwater Authority Logo 2019Sweetwater Authority Logo 2019

Sweetwater Authority Water Supplies Remain Sufficient and Reliable Despite Statewide Drought

/in , /by

Chula Vista, Calif. – Thanks to investments in local water supplies, and customers’ water-saving efforts, Sweetwater Authority has sufficient water to meet customer needs, despite forecasts of a third consecutive dry year.

Earlier this week, the Department of Water Resources announced an initial water allocation of 0% from the State Water Project for California water districts. These allocations do not significantly impact the water available to Authority customers. The yearly allocation is a small portion of the total water supply for San Diego water agencies.

The Authority’s local water supplies include two reservoirs and groundwater wells connected to the Authority’s desalination facility, which provides a drought-proof water source. The majority of the water the Authority provides customers each year comes from these local sources.

Download File

Opinion: California Water News Keeps Getting Worse as Climate Emergency Sharply Limits Supplies

/in , , /by /The San Diego Union-Tribuneby The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority

The grim news about the climate emergency just keeps rolling in. San Diego International Airport saw its driest November since 1980, with only a trace of rain recorded the entire month. Meanwhile, on Wednesday, the state Department of Water Resources said that California agencies that provide water to 27 million residents and 750,000 acres of farmland will get 0 percent of requested water from the reservoirs, canals and dams that comprise the State Water Project. Seven agencies will get some water, but only for urgent health and safety needs, including indoor sanitation and fire suppression.

The San Diego County Water Authority — which made the courageous and game-changing decision in 1991 to diversify its supplies and no longer rely so heavily on the giant, mercurial Metropolitan Water District of Southern California — won’t be affected by the state decision. In a normal year, officials said Thursday, 10 percent of the authority’s water comes from the State Water Project. But this year, it’s received none and still has plenty of water available.

 

Full Story