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‘Biggest Environmental Victory’: After More than a Decade in Limbo, San Diego County has a New Climate Plan

/in , /by /The San Diego Union-Tribuneby Emily Alvarenga

After more than a decade of challenges, local environmental groups are rejoicing after the Board of Supervisors approved a new climate action plan this week that they say will keep the county accountable in slashing emissions.

The climate plan passed Wednesday along party lines will be used as a blueprint for reducing greenhouse gas emissions at county facilities and in unincorporated areas to reach net-zero emissions by 2045.

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Billion-Dollar Pure Water Project Stares Down $130M in Cost Overruns for Pipelines, Plants and Pumps

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

Inflation and major problems with tunneling and flooding have ballooned the price tag for San Diego’s Pure Water sewage recycling system by $130 million, a 10 percent hike that’s expected to raise sewer and water rates.

The city has already burned through nearly the entire $115 million contingency fund set aside to cover cost overruns and unexpected expenses when the $1.14 billion project was approved in 2021.

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Trump Threatens to Hold Disaster Money if California Rebels on Water Rules

/in , /by /Politicoby Tyler Katzenberger, Debra Kahn and Melanie Mason

Former President Donald Trump on Friday threatened to withhold federal disaster response funding from California over Gov. Gavin Newsom’s position on water deliveries to farmers.

Speaking to reporters from a golf course in Rancho Palos Verdes on Friday, Trump said he would strong-arm California’s governor into agreeing to send more water from California’s lush north to farm fields in its drier south.

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OPINION: No, American West, You Can’t Have Our Great Lakes Water

/in , /by /Governingby Dan Pogorzelski

It is my hope to put to rest the mistaken belief that Great Lakes water, now, or at any point in the future, will be used to solve the water woes of the western United States. This is not going to happen. Westerners cannot have an honest discussion about their future until we dispel this myth once and for all.

Standing anywhere on Chicago’s famous lakefront, it is easy to imagine the freshwater resource in front of you is limitless. I have seen visitors to our city stare in awe at Lake Michigan and say, “You call this a lake? That’s an ocean!”

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San Diego Receives $240 Million Loans for Lake Hodges Dam Replacement

/in , /by /KPBS

San Diego was selected Wednesday to receive $240.6 million in loans for Lake Hodges dam improvement projects and possible replacement by the U.S Army Corps of Engineers.

This funding comes from the Corps Water Infrastructure Financing Program, intended to provide low-cost loans to maintain, repair and upgrade dams not under the federal government’s jurisdiction. The CWIFP is part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

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California Supports Projects to Bolster Drinking Water Systems and Climate Resilience

/in , /by /Water World

The California State Water Resources Control Board distributed approximately $880 million to water systems and communities during the past fiscal year for projects that will benefit around 12 million Californians.

395 projects across the state have received funding to capture and recycle more water, recharge and protect groundwater, improve stormwater management, expand access to safe drinking water and improve sanitation.

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Can Eating Less Beef and Dairy Help Save the Colorado River?

/in , /by /NPRby Erin Stone

Western states and the federal government face a looming 2026 deadline to divvy up falling water levels in the Colorado River basin. As overuse and climate change stretch the river thin, research suggests relatively small shifts in global eating patterns could save enough water to fend off steeper cuts for cities and agriculture — and help reduce climate pollution.

Nearly half — 46% — of all the water drawn from the Colorado River goes to growing feed for beef and dairy cows, according to a recent study published in the journal Communications Earth & Environment. It’s the most detailed analysis yet of how the river’s water is used.

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San Diego Farmers Tackle Climate Change Challenges

/in , /by /KPBS by Jade Hindmon, Julianna Domingo, Brooke Ruth, Leslie Gonzalez

San Diego County is home to more than 214,000 acres of agricultural land. Avocados, lemons, oranges and a variety of vegetables are grown in the county.

This week, during NPR’s Climate Solutions Week, we look at how San Diego County farmers are adapting to climate change with local growers Daniel and Paula Coxe, who grow avocados in Fallbrook, along with Amy Quandt, a San Diego State University professor who has surveyed farmers on the subject.

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Prop 4 Explained: Borrowing Money to Fund Environmental and Climate-Related Projects in California

/in , /by /KCRA3by Ashley Zavala

Proposition 4 asks California voters to allow the state to borrow $10 billion in bonds for water, wildfire prevention, and other environmental projects. It would require yearly audits of the money. The funds would help clean up and protect water supplies, help with wildfire prevention and response, and provide for projects that try to protect beaches, forests and mountains.

This is expected to cost taxpayers another $400 million a year for 40 years to repay the bond.

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California Farmers Turn to Agave Amid Drought Conditions and Climate Change

/in , /by /NPRby Manola Secaira

Most of the United States’ fruits and nuts, like avocados and almonds, come from California. But scientists say human-caused climate change means more extreme heat and intensifying periods of drought for the state. That has led some farmers to seek out less-thirsty crops — like agave.

The succulent has long been grown in Mexico and is the key ingredient in making tequila and mezcal. Agave, though, as a crop is a new idea for the United States. In California, it’s more often seen as part of decorative landscaping.

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