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Opinion: A Fresh Look At The Future Of Hydropower Requires That We See Clearly Its Past and Present

/in , , /by /The Hill (Washington D.C.)by WM. Robert Irvin

As society grapples with climate change and the challenge of decarbonizing the national energy grid, proponents increasingly hold up hydropower as an indispensable part of the solution, touting it as “clean, green energy.” They decry what they see as the unfair federal and state tax and regulatory advantages of wind and solar. In a recent editorial arguing for “a fresh look,” the National Hydropower Association declared that hydropower “isn’t being discussed as a clean energy solution by the environmental community” despite that it is dependable, renewable and “protects and preserves our natural ecosystems.”

In fact, American Rivers and many others in the environmental community acknowledge hydropower’s potential role in a decarbonized energy future, but a fresh look at that potential requires a clear view of hydropower’s past and present.

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Flood Risk Heightened for California Dam

/in , , /by /AP News

A California dam could fail during an extreme storm and send water flooding into Mojave Desert communities that are home to about 300,000 people, authorities said Friday.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced that it has changed its risk characterization of the Mojave River Dam from low to high urgency of action. The Corps says it estimates that only 16,000 people in those communities would be affected by flooding.

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Aqueduct Shutdown Expected to Begin Nov. 4

/in , , /by /Village News (Fallbrook, Calif.)by Joe Naiman

The repair to the San Diego County Water Authority’s Pipeline 4 in Moosa Canyon will require a shutdown of the SDCWA aqueduct which is expected to begin Nov. 4, and the CWA’s actions also included a unanimous CWA board vote Oct. 24 to approve a change order in the CWA’s contract with Fibrwrap Construction Services, Inc.

The change order increases the contract by $140,409 to create a total contract amount of $1,011,751 while also amending the contract to increase the number of carbon fiber layers.

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Is Renewable Energy’s Future Dammed?

/in , , /by /High Country News (Paonia, Colo.)by Nick Bowlin

Just outside Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, a year-round, mineral-rich spring turns the Little Colorado River a vivid turquoise. This final stretch, about 10 miles from the river’s confluence with its larger relative, is one of the West’s spectacular waterways, with bright water flowing below steep red-rock cliffs. But the view will change dramatically if a Phoenix-based company builds a proposed hydropower project.

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Upgrade for Desalination Project As It Plans Private Note Placement

/in , , /by /The Bond Buyerby Keeley Webster Quoted: San Diego County Water Authority

Poseidon Resources received a one-notch upgrade to BBB from Fitch Ratings ahead of plans to privately place a $45 million note to finance construction of a new intake system for its desalination plant in Carlsbad, California.

Bank of America Merrill Lynch won the right to purchase the three-year note, expected to close in November, according to sources close to the deal.

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Doheny Desalination Plant Still On Track Despite Higher Cost Estimates

/in , , /by /Orange County Registerby Martin Wisckol

While projected cost increases to the proposed Doheny desalination plant drew concern from two South Coast Water District directors at a meeting Wednesday, the majority of the board took the updated analysis in stride and the district continues pursuit of the project.

The bottom line for the average residential customer is that the expected monthly bill increase is now $10 — a 9% hike — rather than the $5 to $7 estimated in a 2017 report. Three members of the five-member board appeared comfortable with the latest estimates.

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Water District’s Investments in Independent Power Pay Off

/in , , /by /Valley Roadrunner (Valley Center, Calif.)

The Valley Center Municipal Water District’s investments over the years in independent power sources paid off this week when parts of the district were cut off by San Diego Gas & Electric implementing its shutoff protocols, but all of VCMWD’s facilities stayed powered—although four large (70 kw to 400 Kw) portable power had to be brought in to power five pump stations. This involved placing one of the 150 KW units between two pump stations as needed.

“And with those investments, water/wastewater service was sustained throughout the District service area,” concluded VCMWD Gen. Mgr. Gary Arant.

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For California Well Owners, Clean Water is Hard to Get as State, Local Hurdles Remain

/in , , /by /CalMattersby Cresencio Rodriguez-Delgado

Water is scarce and dirty for many in Fresno County’s small West Park community.

They’re not alone. It’s a common and persistent challenge for residents throughout California who rely on water wells.

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Water Agencies Stress Need for Disaster Plan

/in , , /by /Antelope Valley (Calif.) Pressby Allison Gatlin

LANCASTER — In case of an emergency such as an earthquake or wildfire, one key element that could be disrupted, and for an extended period, is water. As such, it is important to include planning for water needs for emergency scenarios, whether for public agencies or individuals.

To that end, area water agencies and government officials gathered Wednesday in Lancaster as the Greater Antelope Valley Water Emergency Coalition to discuss preparations and resources available in case of water disruptions in an emergency.

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San Diego Creates State’s First Water, Sewer ‘Capacity Bank’ To Boost Biotech, Breweries

/in , , /by /The San Diego Union-Tribune by David Garrick

San Diego will create California’s first “capacity bank” for water and sewer, allowing breweries and biotech firms to cheaply buy excess water and sewer capacity from former factories.

The City Council unanimously approved the capacity bank on Tuesday, calling it an innovative idea that will create jobs and help the city avoid expensive expansions of its sewer and water infrastructure.

“From conversations I’ve had with a lot of breweries in my district, this is going to be a very popular program,” said Councilman Chris Cate, who represents Miramar, Mira Mesa and Kearny Mesa.

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