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California Has a New Plan to Protect its Water Supply from Climate Change, But Some Say it’s Based on Old Thinking

/in , , /by /Capital Public Radioby Ezra David Romero

Water is a big deal in California, and climate change is threatening the precious resource. That’s why Gov. Gavin Newsom finalized a broad plan this week to help prevent future water challenges, but some Californians say it relies on old thinking and harmful water storage projects.

The Water Resilience Portfolio outlines 142 actions the state could take to build resilience as the effects of warming temperatures grow. It supports everything from a recent fund focused on safe and affordable drinking water to habitat restoration to improving groundwater storage capabilities.

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Wide-Ranging Water Infrastructure Bill Easily Passes House

/in , , /by /Bloomberg Lawby Amena H. Saiyid and Kellie Lunney

Legislation authorizing the Army Corps of Engineers to boost the nation’s water infrastructure, protect waterways from emerging contaminants, and bolster coastal shorelines sailed through the House Wednesday.

On a voice vote, the House used a procedure reserved for mostly non-controversial legislation to pass the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (H.R. 7575), which lays out a two-year road map for projects that the Corps’ civil works program must tackle.

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A Heat Wave Is Coming: What to Expect in San Diego Over Next Few Days

/in , , /by /NBC 7 San Diegoby Monica Garske

A summertime heat wave is on the way for San Diego County and the wave’s peak temps could come close to record highs. NBC 7 meteorologist Sheena Parveen said it’ll be “unseasonably hot” across the county starting Thursday. That heat will peak Friday.

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Warren Buffett Controls Dams in Northern California. Why Gov. Newsom Wants Them Torn Down

/in , , /by /The Sacramento Beeby Dale Kasler

Desperate to complete a historic but complicated dam removal on the California-Oregon border, Gov. Gavin Newsom has appealed to one of the world’s wealthiest men to keep the project on track: financier Warren Buffett.

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Officials Warn Colorado River Levels Could Fluctuate to Meet Summer Energy Needs

/in , , /by /KNAU Arizona Public Radioby Ryan Heinsius

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation recommends river runners secure their vessels to withstand changing levels and campers should set up tents in areas out of reach of the river. Officials plan to release higher-than-normal amounts of water from Glen Canyon Dam, possibly without notice, which will cause rapid changes to the Colorado River’s flow.

The Western Area Power Administration says there’s a possibility that Glen Canyon Dam will be needed to augment regional power supplies in the event of a system emergency. Releases could last a couple hours or even longer and the fluctuations will be more noticeable on weekends.

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SDG&E Customers Will Receive $64 in Carbon Offset Credits

/in , , /by /Times of San Diegoby Debbie Sklar

San Diego Gas & Electric residential customers will see their electricity bills reduced by $32.28 in both August and September thanks to a climate credit program. Designed to fight climate change, the California Climate Credit will come from a state program that requires power plants, natural gas providers and other large industries that emit greenhouse gases to buy carbon pollution permits. The credit on customers’ bills is their share of the payments from the state’s program.

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CDC Scientists Discuss Wastewater-Based Epidemiology

/in , , /by /Water Environment Federationby Justin Jacques

Studying concentrations of pathogens in wastewater — a practice known as wastewater-based epidemiology — is a time-honored approach to gathering crucial public health data that traditional approaches might miss. During the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are partnering with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to establish a formalized, federal-led approach to WBE over the next 18 months.

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Family Project Wins Vista Irrigation District 2020 WaterSmart Landscape Contest

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

Two Vista homeowners received recognition from the Vista Irrigation District Board of Directors for their entries in the District’s 2020 WaterSmart Landscape Contest at its July board meeting.

The annual contest recognizes outstanding waterwise residential landscapes. Winners were selected based on the criteria of overall attractiveness, appropriate plant selection, design, appropriate maintenance, and efficient methods of irrigation.

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Newsom Lays Out Big Dreams for California’s Water Future

/in , , /by /Courthouse News Serviceby Nick Cahill

Touting ways to shield California’s most precious resource from climate change, Governor Gavin Newsom released strategies Tuesday to improve drinking water quality, revive a stalled multibillion-dollar tunnel and build new dams.

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The New Water Wars

/in , , /by /Politicoby Annie Snider, Catherine Boudreau, Nancy Vu, Debra Kahn

The coronavirus economic crash is tightening the financial vise on utilities that supply water and sanitation across the country, potentially putting water companies on the verge of financial insolvency while millions of Americans struggle to pay their utility bills.

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