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Hydropower Is 53% of the Renewable Energy Supply in the West. Drought Is Slowing Down Production.

/in , , /by /The Colorado Sunby Chris Outcult

A large provider of Colorado energy says sagging hydropower production on the Colorado River system, which has raised concern over the long-term reliability of the power source in the West, has not had a significant impact here.

Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, the largest hydropower customer on the Colorado River system, has received about two-thirds of its normal hydro supply this year. But only 8% of Tri-State’s total energy comes from the Colorado River Storage Project, known as CRSP, and so the reduction only accounts for about 3% of its total system, according to figures the company provided.

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Newsom Pitches $75 Million in Drought Relief for Agriculture

/in , , /by /Agri Pulseby Brad Hooker

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s revised budget proposal would set aside $75 million to aid small agricultural businesses as the drought deepens. The one-time assistance would provide grants ranging from $30,000 to $50,000, depending on the amount of lost revenue.

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California Governor Floats 5-GW, $5.2B ‘Reliability Reserve’ Amid Possible Electricity Shortfalls

/in , , /by /Utility Diveby Kavya Balaraman

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, D, has earmarked $5.2 billion in a revised budget proposal released Friday to fund a “strategic electricity reliability reserve” – an up to 5,000 MW resource that the state can tap into when the grid is particularly stressed.

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Lopez Lake Closes Boat Launch Ramp as Lake Levels Reach Record Lows

/in , , /by /KSBYby Taylor Hillo

Lopez Lake closed the boat launch on Monday, due to record low water levels. Boats are no longer able to launch without hitting the bottom of the lake.

Years of drought ravaging the state of California have led to this.

Nearly undetectable from day to day, over the years this slow regression has been culminating in an official closure of the Lopez Lake boat launch.

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Creating a Water-Saving Landscape in San Diego Can Save Money, Add Home Value

/in , , /by /Times of San Diego Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority

Using water efficiently is a way of life and an important responsibility in San Diego County’s beautiful Mediterranean climate. WaterSmart landscaping rethinks the way limited water resources can be used by making smart choices to reduce outdoor water use. But saving water is just one benefit of low-water-use landscaping.

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Six Steps to WaterSmart Landscape Success

/in , , /by /Water News Network Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority

Every WaterSmart landscape added by a homeowner becomes a key part of the San Diego region’s water efficiency goals. By converting a turf-focused yard to a WaterSmart landscape, you have the potential to beautify your property, save money, and reduce maintenance. You also play a critical role in protecting and improving the health of our natural environment by cultivating native plants, retaining and minimizing stormwater runoff, and conserving water.

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A Salty Dispute: California Coastal Commission Unanimously Rejects Desalination Plant

/in , , /by /CalMattersby Rachel Becker Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority

The California Coastal Commission tonight rejected the proposed construction of a desalination plant in Huntington Beach, sealing the controversial project’s fate after more than 20 years of debate.

The unanimous decision about the $1.4-billion plant in Huntington Beach is pivotal because it sets a high bar for the future of turning seawater into drinking water in California, which can help buffer its vulnerable water supply against drought.

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What About My Koi Pond? A Wealthy L.A. Enclave Copes With Water Restrictions

/in , , /by /Los Angeles Timesby Brittny Mejia

The questions came fast and furious for nearly five hours Wednesday night, offering a glimpse into the world of wealth, worry and water.

“We have a few large koi pond [sic] with over 100 fish,” one person said during an angst-filled town hall meeting of the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District. “Is there a special exemption for them?”

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The Colorado River is in Crisis, and it’s Getting Worse Every Day

/in , , /by /The Washington Postby Karin Brulliard

The Colorado River is in crisis — one deepening by the day.

It is a powerhouse: a 1,450-mile waterway that stretches from the Rocky Mountains to the Sea of Cortez, serving 40 million people in seven U.S. states, 30 federally recognized tribes and Mexico. It hydrates 5 million acres of agricultural land and provides critical habitat for rare fish, birds and plants.

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Governor Newsom’s Proposed Budget Includes Funding for Drought

/in , , /by /ACWA

Gov. Gavin Newsom today unveiled his revised state budget for the 2022-’23 Fiscal Year. The $300.7 billion budget includes several priorities of interest to ACWA members, including funding for drought, climate change, forest management and more.

Building upon last year’s three-year, $5.2 billion allocation to support drought response and long-term water sustainability, the governor’s revised budget includes an additional $2 billion for drought response and water resilience. This is part of the governor’s larger $47.1 billion climate package.

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