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Farmers Key to Renewable Energy Future

/in , /by /Imperial Valley Pressby Christine Souza / California Farm Bureau Federation

California is progressing toward its goal of achieving 100% renewable and carbon-neutral electricity by 2045, and agriculture may be an integral part of the solution.

Farmers statewide have invested in renewable-energy technologies near vineyards, row-crop farms and atop walnut dryers. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 8% of California farms have an on-site renewable-energy system.

Aaron Barcellos, who farms row crops and trees in Merced and Fresno counties, took advantage of federal tax incentives and invested in constructing two solar systems that total 1.4 megawatts to offset the farm’s energy usage.

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Calif. to Zero Out Water Supplies Again Amid Dry Winter

/in , , /by /The Sunby Reid Stone

For the second time in a single water season, California water officials are preparing to zero out water deliveries to Valley farmers reliant on the State Water Project.

During a Tuesday meeting of California’s State Water Resources Control Board, Department of Water Resources director Karla Nemeth announced her agency would be enacting the cuts on water contractors and preserving resources for health and safety needs only.

Brad Hooker of Agri-Pulse first reported the news.

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Spring Outlook: Drought to Expand Amid Warmer Conditions

/in , , /by /NOAA-NWS Climate Prediction Center / California DWR

NOAA issued its U.S. Spring Outlook today and for the second year in a row, forecasters predict prolonged, persistent drought in the West where below-average precipitation is most likely. NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center — part of the National Weather Service — is also forecasting above-average temperatures for most of the U.S. from the Desert Southwest to the East Coast and north through the Midwest to the Canadian border from April to June.

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Opinion: This Megadrought’s Dry Years to Come

/in , , /by /The Sun

Reading the tree rings from Montana to northern Mexico, from Pacific beaches to the Colorado Rockies, a team of scientists led by a UCLA researcher has shown that the current long-term drought in the West is the most severe in 1,200 years.

It’s not just a dry spell — it’s a megadrought.

The rigorous study, aided by NASA, shows all that talk you have heard most of your life, about how the lack of rain in these parts is normal, and about how “we live in a desert anyway” — we don’t; we live in a rare Mediterranean climate — is nonsense.

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Santa Ynez Groundwater Basin Users Could Soon See New Water-Use Restrictions

/in , , /by /KCBXby Rachel Showalter

The Santa Ynez River Valley Groundwater Basin runs from Lake Cachuma off Highway 154 out to the ocean near Lompoc. It’s used for urban water supply in Northern Santa Barbara County and in agriculture for things like wine grapes and vegetables.

Now, water users in the area may be required to comply with sustainable tactics to help manage the basin after years of consistent drought and overuse.

“Many parts of the basin are nearing historical lows,” said Santa Barbara County Water Agency Manager Matt Young.

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Water Rules in Works for San Mateo, South San Francisco and San Carlos Residents

/in , , /by /The Daily Journalby Corey Browning

San Mateo, South San Francisco and San Carlos residents could soon be allowed to water landscaping only two days per week, the California Water Service announced Wednesday.

The water provider said customers in its Bayshore District, which serves roughly 200,000 people in San Mateo County, will enter “stage 2” of the agency’s tiered water conservation plan in light of worsening drought conditions.

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Desert Water Agency Discusses Local Water Conservation Efforts

/in , , /by /NBC Palm Springsby Carmela Karcher

Governor Gavin Newsom declared a drought emergency in 2021, yet recent data shows Californians are not conserving enough water, in fact the Coachella Valley used about 20% more water this January than the previous one.

Wednesday afternoon, the Desert Water Agency presented a plan to address the drought and how the Coachella Valley can help.

The DWA currently serves the cities of Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs and a portion of Cathedral City.

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Opinion: Why California Must Fund Water Infrastructure Upgrades

/in , /by /National Reviewby Edward Ring

Californians have achieved impressive feats of water conservation over the past few decades. But that won’t be enough. While we’re drinking, washing, flushing, and irrigating less, demand for water still outpaces supply. Aging dams and canals need seismic retrofits, and new systems for harvesting and storing runoff water —and reusing wastewater — need to be built.

What’s the hold-up? With care, environmentalist concerns over new water projects can be balanced with the need to provide Californians with an adequate water supply.

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Water District Directors Approve Map With New Division Boundaries

/in , /by /The San Diego Union-Tribuneby Julie Gallant

Ramona Municipal Water District directors approved a final map for the district’s election boundaries after discussing the pros and cons of dividing downtown Ramona among four divisions.

The water district has five divisions, each represented by a director. Redistricting Partners LLC recently presented revised division boundaries to reflect changing population sizes and demographics based on 2020 Census data.

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‘Absolutely Gorgeous’: The Flower Fields Return, Blazing ‘More Color Than Ever’

/in , , /by /Times of San Diegoby Chris Stone

Paul Ecke III tells a story about his fastidious volunteers at The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch. A docent once asked him to get out of the field — even after learning he was the owner.

And that’s how he explains the importance of keeping your distance from the plants to preserve them.

The north end of the Carlsbad Flower Fields, at 5704 Paseo Del Norte, is now ablaze with color, and visitors are welcome through at least Mother’s Day.

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