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California Looks to Natural Gas to Keep Lights on This Winter

/in , , /by /Reutersby Scott Disavino and Nichola Groom

After years of restricting the growth of fossil fuel infrastructure, California is looking to natural gas for power generation this coming winter after drought and wildfires leave the state with few other options to keep the lights on.

California has spent years moving away from fossil fuels to reduce planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions. But U.S. states like California and Texas have faced notable challenges to their electrical grid in recent months, and worldwide power crunches have forced other countries to ramp up output of coal and other fossil fuels to maintain power.

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Opinion: California Needs More Clean Power – in Vast Quantities

/in , /by /CalMattersby Danielle Osborn Mills

As Gov. Gavin Newsom prepares to share California’s climate progress (which he now plans to do virtually) with world leaders at the UN Climate Change Conference, he has been making high-profile announcements about California’s commitment to a greener, more sustainable economy – from phasing out fossil fuels and banning gas-powered cars to defending coastal communities from rising sea-levels.

All these accomplishments, though, overlook one important thing: There is only one way our state is going to transition to a clean, green economy while keeping the lights on, energy costs reasonable and ensuring tens of thousands of skilled energy workers have access to reliable, well-paying jobs. California needs more clean power, in vast new quantities.

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Construction Begins on 100 MW/50 MWh Solar + Storage Project in California

/in , /by /pv magazineby Tim Sylvia

Kern County, California, home to some of the most utility-scale solar development of any county in the nation, is set to feature another large array. Leeward Renewable Energy, Central Coast Community Energy, and Silicon Valley Clean Energy announced that construction has begun on the Rabbitbrush Solar project.

The project is being developed by Leeward Renewable Energy, with engineering, procurement, and construction provided by McCarthy Building Companies. Central Coast Community Energy and Silicon Valley Clean Energy both signed on to purchase generation from the project via 15-year power purchase agreements.

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Series of Wintry Storms Take Aim at Northwest

/in , , /by /AccuWeatherby Jessica Storm

Another series of storms is set to sweep through the Pacific Northwest and Northern California into next week and not only bring much-needed rain and mountain snow but also flooding concerns.

A dip in the jet stream across the Bering Sea through the northern Pacific Ocean will push waves of energy toward the Canadian Rocky Mountains and Northwest this week, according to AccuWeather Lead Long-Range Senior Meteorologist Paul Pastelok, who added that temperatures will be near to below normal.

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Flows to Increase; Water Districts Cry Foul

/in , , /by /AgAlertby Christine Souza

The Newsom administration has informed regional water districts that it will move forward with a plan to increase flows from San Joaquin River tributaries in an action that may create more water uncertainty for farmers.

A notice from the California Natural Resources Agency and state Environmental Protection Agency represents a departure from the state’s earlier willingness to consider voluntary agreements with water districts, which includes aspects other than just flow increases. That departure means that the regulatory regime, adopted by the State Water Resources Control Board in 2018, will now move forward.

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California Increases Salmon Spawning to Make Up for Drought

/in , , /by /NBC Bay Areaby Joe Rosato Jr.

In an effort to blunt the devastating toll California’s extended drought has taken on the state’s chinook salmon population, state and federal fish hatcheries in Northern California are spawning millions of additional salmon smolts in order to increase their odds of survival.

The state’s prolonged drought has left many of its dams and rivers unable to supply the cold water currents wild salmon require for their eggs to survive. So, hatcheries are trying to make up for nature’s dry spell with human intervention.

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SLO County Water Supplier Sues 3 Companies Over Cancer-Linked Chemicals Found in Wells

/in , /by /The Tribuneby Sara Kassabian

The Atascadero Mutual Water Company is suing three prominent companies after chemicals linked to cancer and other health conditions were found in wells that supply drinking water to the city. The water utility’s product liability lawsuit, filed Oct. 15 in San Luis Obispo Superior Court, aims to recover damages from 3M Co., DuPont and Chemours Co., which use the chemicals.

 

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California Drought Persists, Even With Recent Rain. Conserve Water Now With These Tips

/in , , /by /The Sacramento Beeby Hanh Truong

Even with the recent storm drenching Northern California, it’s important that residents conserve water, experts said. The storm — which included a ‘bomb cyclone’ — dropped more than five inches of rain on the capital city in 24 hours. But it won’t end the state’s drought. And next year could be dry, too.

 

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Fort Bragg City Council Lifts All Water Conservation Restrictions

/in , , /by /Mendocino Beacon

Last week, the City Council passed a resolution rescinding the Stage 2 Water Warning and lifting all mandatory water conservation restrictions within the Fort Bragg water service area. The recent rainfall plus the success of the City’s Desalination-Reverse Osmosis Treatment System eliminated the current need for water conservation measures.

Due to the conservation efforts of the community last summer and early fall. Water usage this summer was lower than any year on record. Despite the increased visitation, water usage in August was down 33% from August 2019, and usage in September was down 32% from 2019 (the most recent year without any water restrictions in place).

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Study: Droughts May Affect Groundwater More Than Expected

/in , , /by /American Society of Civil Engineersby Jay Landers

On the Earth’s surface, the end of a drought is usually obvious. Rainfall arrives, streams and rivers increase in volume or begin to flow again, vegetation perks up, and parched soils regain their moisture. But what about below the earth’s surface? In particular, how does groundwater respond to the end of drought? Given the critical role that groundwater plays in many regions as a source of water for drinking and irrigation, understanding the effects of droughts on aquifers could help shape management decisions regarding these key resources.

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