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California to be First Stop of Next Cross-Country US Winter Storm

/in , /by /AccuWeatherby Kristina Pydynowski

A new winter storm is gearing up to bring widespread impacts from the south-central United States to the East later this week after first sweeping into California around midweek. The new storm is expected to end the current cool and dry spell in California by returning another round of rain, mountain snow and gusty winds. This storm is not expected to rival the potent storm from late last week which dumped feet of snow in the Sierra Nevada and triggered numerous mudslides in the burn scar areas. However, residents and visitors can still face travel disruptions and localized hazards around midweek.

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Huge Delta Water Deal Backed by Dianne Feinstein, Jerry Brown, Kevin McCarthy

/in , /by /The Fresno Beeby Emily Cadei and Dale Kasler

California’s most senior Democrat and most powerful Republican in Washington are teaming up to extend a federal law designed to deliver more Northern California water south, despite the objections of some of the state’s environmentalists. While controversial, the language in their proposal could help settle the contentious negotiations currently underway in Sacramento on Delta water flows — the lifeblood of California agriculture as well as endangered salmon and smelt.

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Top State Utility Regulator Intervened in Cost Study for Expanded Energy Grid, Records Show

/in , /by /The San Diego Union-Tribuneby Jeff McDonald

One of the most pressing questions about a plan to expand the California power grid to as many as 14 states was how much it would cost to transfer oversight of the poles and wires from a state-run nonprofit to a regional board of appointees. The California Public Utilities Commission told lawmakers the plan to redefine the way electricity is regulated would cost the agency $700,000. But according to internal documents obtained by The San Diego Union-Tribune, the price tag for the so-called regional power grid was $2.4 million when it was developed by rank-and-file analysts. Utilities commission President Michael Picker rejected that finding as too high.

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Department of Water Resources Announces Initial State Water Project Allocations

/in , /by /Appeal-Democrat (Marysville, Calif.)

Despite the last few storms that brought the North State much needed rain, this water year has been relatively dry, and those conditions are reflected in the Department of Water Resources’ initial State Water Project allocations. DWR announced Friday that the 29 participating members of the State Water Project can expect to receive 10 percent of the requested allocations in 2019. Yuba City is one of the contractors that receives water each year from the project. The percentage is likely to change as the water year progresses.

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OPINION: Gov. Doug Ducey: Why I put $30 Million Toward Arizona’s Drought Contingency Plan

/in , /by /The Arizona Republicby Doug Ducey

After a great deal of hard work in recent weeks, water leaders from across Arizona have made significant progress in the effort to protect Arizona’s Colorado River water supplies. This progress brings us closer to a statewide agreement on Arizona’s internal plan for implementation of the Drought Contingency Plan. The long, hard-fought struggle to develop an Arizona DCP has not yet concluded, as there are still many details yet to be worked out.

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San Diego Urged to Make Water Line Improvements Ahead of Future Earthquakes

/in , /by /10 News (San Diego)by Mark Saunders

San Diego City Council was recently warned about the damage an earthquake can cause to the region, specifically on the county’s water system. “Strengthen their water system, make that long-term investment,” seismologist Lucy Jones said of the city’s aging water infrastructure. Jones recently spoke with city council leaders about improvements she’s helped develop for Los Angeles’ infrastructure. “[It] contributes to a much more difficult time getting your city back up and running,” Jones said.

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Arizona Makes Progress on Colorado River Drought Plan

/in , /by /Associated Press

Arizona says it’s one step closer to figuring out how to divvy up water cuts as the supply from the Colorado River becomes more limited. Several Western states that rely on the river are working on drought plans. The federal government wants them done by the end of the year. While Arizona hasn’t said it would meet that deadline, a committee meeting on the issue announced Thursday it is making progress. The plan isn’t final, including how to fund it.

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Could this Obscure California Agency Derail Jerry Brown’s Delta Tunnels?

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

As Gov. Jerry Brown leaves office, his controversial Delta tunnels plan is on the ropes. Most farmers who would get water from the tunnels still haven’t agreed to pay their share. Rather than support the tunnels, the Trump administration is trying to bend federal environmental laws to simply deliver more water through the existing Delta system to San Joaquin Valley farms and cities — and just rejected the project’s request for a big startup loan. Brown’s successor, Gavin Newsom, says he would like to see the project scaled down. Lawsuits challenging the project abound.

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Southern California Ski Resorts Received as Much as 8 Inches of Snow in Recent Storm

/in , /by /Los Angeles Timesby Mary Forgione

Southern California’s ski resorts got their first snowfall from Thursday’s storm, with some spots in the San Bernardino Mountains receiving up to 8 inches. More of the white stuff may be on the way Saturday evening. Snow Summit, with a peak elevation of 8,200 feet, received 4 to 8 inches of fresh snow from the recent storm, according to its website. The Big Bear Lake resort had opened for the season Nov. 16 with a base of man-made snow.

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Inland Valley Residents Encouraged to Conserve Water During Pipeline Repairs

/in , /by /Inland Valley Daily Bulletinby Liset Marquez

A scheduled shutdown of a pipeline supplying most of the water for Inland Valley cities has prompted officials to ask customers to limit their water use over a 10-day period. The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is suspending water deliveries through its Rialto Pipeline from Monday, Dec. 3 to Wednesday, Dec. 12 to conduct scheduled maintenance on a portion of the pipeline, said Kirk Howie, chief administrative officer for Three Valleys Municipal Water District.

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