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California Water Tunnel Hangs Over Budget Talks as Legislators Challenge Gov. Newsom’s Plan

/in , , /by /APby Adam Beam

California Gov. Gavin Newsom is pushing the state Legislature to tackle what has long been one of the biggest gripes about government: Taking far too long to build things like roads and bridges.

But Newsom’s plan to cut through red tape has slowed in the state Legislature, where some lawmakers fear his true motive is to favor a single project — the long-delayed and long-disputed plan to build a giant tunnel to re-route how the state moves water from north to south. The tunnel reflects the tension between arid Southern California, where most of the people live, and Northern California, the source of most of the state’s water.

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Supervisors OK Land Purchases to Expand Two County Nature Preserves

/in , , /by /Times of San Diegoby Elizabeth Ireland and City News Service

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors Wednesday unanimously approved land purchases to increase two nature preserves.

The board approved spending $2.8 million to acquire 425 acres for the Mount Olympus County Preserve in Pala-Pauma and Rainbow and $5.3 million for 190 acres to increase Sweetwater Regional Park in Spring Valley.

The addition will expand the Mount Olympus County Preserve to over 1,200 acres and provide large shrubland habitat for deer, mountain lion and other sensitive species, according to Shauni Lyles, a San Diego County communications specialist.

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San Diego’s June Gloom Not Just Depressing, it’s Costly for Some

/in , , /by /NBC 7 San Diegoby Brooke Martell

With just days until the official start of summer, overcast skies and cooler temperatures are still lingering.

On Wednesday, National Weather Service San Diego reported that all areas across Southern California, including San Diego, have had below average temperatures this month. While you might not see the impacts from gray skies now, one solar energy expert says they could be just around the corner.

 

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Imperial Valley Farmers Await Water Deal

/in , , /by /AgAlertby Caleb Hampton

California, Arizona and Nevada reached a long-sought consensus last month on how to conserve water and prevent the Colorado River from running dry.

Under the plan for states to reduce their water use by 13% through 2026, farmers in the Imperial Valley are expected to shoulder much of the burden.

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Lake Oroville is 100% Full as California Reservoirs are Revived by Historic Rain and Snowmelt

/in , , /by /Los Angeles Timesby Nathan Solis

California’s second-largest reservoir is now completely full after a historic rainy season recharged reservoirs across the state following years of drought.

Lake Oroville, fed by the Feather River about 80 miles north of Sacramento, is at 100% of its capacity, according to the California Department of Water Resources.

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El Niño Has Started in the Pacific, But That Doesn’t Guarantee Another Wet Winter for Sacramento

/in , , /by /KCRA3by Heather Waldman

Forecasters with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) last week declared the beginning of an El Niño.

El Niño is marked by warmer-than-average surface water temperatures in the eastern Pacific Ocean, specifically along the equator.

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Opinion: Colorado River Deal Must Empower Conservationists on the Ground

/in , , /by /Reno Gazette Journalby Sarah Jensen

If we hope to solve our country’s most pressing natural resource challenges, we must go straight to the source: Americans on the ground who know firsthand what is needed to solve them.

The historic Colorado River agreement reached last month temporarily secures access to clean water in the West. All Americans deserve clean air and clean water, but unfortunately, the challenges confronting the Colorado River puts access to this vital resource in jeopardy.

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Everyone Is Racing to Decide a San Diego Water Divorce

/in , /by /Voice of San Diegoby MacKenzie Elmer Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority

San Diego’s boundary referees are rushing to push up a vote on a controversial water divorce before the state Legislature can step in.

The Local Agency Formation Commission is holding an emergency meeting Wednesday to push up a vote on whether two small farming communities can break up with the San Diego County Water Authority in search of cheaper water in Riverside County.

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Opinion: TVA is Right to Supercharge Renewable Energy Options With Expanded Pumped Storage

/in , , /by /Chattanooga Times Free Pressby Clint Cooper

Because of the decrease in fossil fuel plants, an old idea suddenly looks new again in the consideration of power generation for TVA.

The utility has begun to study whether a pumped storage power plant similar to the Raccoon Mountain facility just west of Chattanooga might be feasible for either of two mountain ridges along the Tennessee River in Northeast Alabama.

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Vallejo Wastewater District to Hold Final Public Hearing on Proposed Sewer Rate Increases

/in , /by /Vallejo Sunby Ryan Geller

The Vallejo Flood and Wastewater district will have its final public hearing tonight on a proposal to increase residential sewer rates.

Under the plan, sewer rates for Vallejo homeowners will increase by an average of $108 per year for 5 years. Each year monthly rates will rise by an average of $9 bringing the current rate of $64.12 per month  or $768.44 per year to $109.18 per month or $1,310.16 per year by July 2027. A comparable increase in commercial and industrial rate schedules is also part of the proposal.

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