You are now in Media Coverage San Diego County category.

Water Officials Press Senate On Urgency Of Colorado River Drought Plan

/in , /by /Cronkite News (Phoenix)by Andrew Howard

The director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources told a Senate panel Wednesday there is an “urgent need” to authorize a multistate drought contingency plan for the Colorado River basin. Tom Buschatzke was one of several state and federal officials pressing Congress on the plan, years in the making, that is designed to head off a potential water “crisis” in the region and help settle disputes over water allocations if the Colorado does drop to crisis levels. Despite recent rains, there is still a pressing need for the plans in a region that has been hit by “its worst drought in recorded history,” said Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Brenda Burman.

Full Story

Here’s What The Colorado River Deal Will Do, And Why Some Criticize Arizona’s Approach

/in , , /by /The Arizona Republic (Phoenix)by Ian James

Gov. Doug Ducey has called Arizona’s Colorado River drought plan the most significant piece of water legislation signed in the state in nearly 40 years. The plan was worked out during seven months of negotiations and enables Arizona to join a larger shortage-sharing agreement with California and Nevada that will spread around the burden of expected water cutbacks. Now that all the states have endorsed the agreement, Congress will hold initial hearings on Wednesday and Thursday to consider authorizing the deal.

Full Story

Climate Change Is Already Hurting Fruit Breeders, And Consumers Could Soon Feel The Pain

/in , /by /The Washington Postby Adrian Higgins

In Mark Demuth’s research orchard in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the peach tree twigs glow a soft red-brown under the strengthening late winter sun. The peaches are emerging from hibernation, he says, as he points out which of the stirring buds will open as leaves and which as blossoms come early April. Until then, the trees must undertake their most perilous journey of the year.

Full Story

Electricity Costs From Battery Storage Down 76% Since 2012: BNEF

/in , /by /The Utility Dive (Washington D.C.)by HJ Mai

The ever-decreasing cost of electricity from batteries is giving fossil fuels a run for their money as renewable energy projects combined with battery storage become increasingly competitive power supply options. The LCOE for lithium-ion batteries has fallen 35% to $187/MWh since the first half of 2018, research company BNEF said Tuesday. Going back to 2012, BNEF found the cost of battery storage has dropped 76%, from almost $800/MWh.

Full Story

Helpful Tips On How To Save Water And Create A Thriving Garden In A Desert Climate

/in , /by /The Coast News by Lexy Brodt

Spring is just around the corner — and whether you’re a novice plant enthusiast or a green-thumbed gardener, it’s time to get growing. After a seven-year drought finally came to an end this winter, California has been hit with a deluge of vibrant greenery and super blooms. But we’re still keeping an eye out for how to make our own backyards more sustainable and water-friendly.

Full Story

Inside Santa Cruz’s Enviro-Friendly Water Recharge

/in , /by /Good Times (Santa Cruz)by Jacob Pierce

Every minute, about 400 gallons flow past pressure gauges and shut-off valves into a 2-foot-high concrete box that marks the top of Beltz Well 12. If a pilot program goes well, this whole system could play a pivotal role in the water security of communities from Aptos to UCSC. Normally, water is pumping out of this well, not into it. As part of the reversal process, engineers went into the well and removed column piping, which now lies in a pile under a plastic tarp off to the side. Two 35,000-gallon tanks sit empty.

Full Story

Oroville Dam’s Rebuilt Spillway Is Nearing Its First Use Since 2017 Disaster

/in , , /by /KQED (San Francisco)by Dan Brekke

The agency that manages Oroville Dam says the facility’s rebuilt spillway is likely to be pressed into service for the first time as soon as next week. The Department of Water Resources announced Tuesday that Lake Oroville has risen close to the point where the agency will need to release water to maintain empty reservoir space for runoff from incoming storms and spring snowmelt. DWR said it will give the public between 24 and 72 hours advance notice of a release, which can be expected to cause relatively rapid rises on the Feather River downstream of the dam.

Full Story

Rebuilt Oroville Dam Spillway Could Be Used Next Week After Storm Hits. Is It Ready?

/in , /by /The Sacramento Beeby Ryan Sabalow and Dale Kasler

Water may cascade down Oroville Dam’s rebuilt spillway next week for the first time since a massive crater formed in its nearly half-mile long surface two years ago — a major milestone in the saga that triggered the evacuation of 188,000 people and a $1.1 billion repair job to the country’s tallest dam.
A storm forecast to hit this week is expected to fill Lake Oroville to the point that state dam operators might need to open the spillway gates to manage lake levels, state officials said Tuesday.

Full Story

Who Keeps Buying California’s Scarce Water? Saudi Arabia

/in , /by /The Guardian (New York)by Lauren Markham

Four hours east of Los Angeles, in a drought-stricken area of a drought-afflicted state, is a small town called Blythe where alfalfa is king. More than half of the town’s 94,000 acres are bushy blue-green fields growing the crop. Massive industrial storehouses line the southern end of town, packed with thousands upon thousands of stacks of alfalfa bales ready to be fed to dairy cows – but not cows in California’s Central Valley or Montana’s rangelands. Instead, the alfalfa will be fed to cows in Saudi Arabia.

Full Story

Long Beach Water Expands Lawn To Garden Rebate Program

/in , /by /The Grunion (Long Beach)

Thanks to an infusion of cash from the Metropolitan Water District, Long Beach residents can now get more money and replace more turf with drought-tolerant landscaping. The Long Beach Water Department announced changes to the water conservation program Tuesday. In addition to reopening applications to receive rebates, there were a number of changes to the residential program. Starting Monday, April 1, the front yard conversion incentive goes to $3 per square foot of turf removed (from $2). The maximum square footage allowed for rebate has increased from 1,500 square feet to 5,000 square feet.

Full Story