You are now in San Diego County category.

Most people have basically no choice about where they get their power from – SDG&E’s monopoly covers 4,100 square miles of Southern California. Soon, that is likely to change as many California cities, including San Diego, look to start buying power for their residents. But even if the city begins to compete with San Diego Gas & Electric, people may still be forced to pay SDG&E for power for decades to come. The state allows companies to keep making people pay for power, even if people no longer use, want or need it.

The San Diego County Water Authority, in conjunction with the City of San Diego, is seeking proposals for a 500 MW pumped hydro power station.The water authority plans to issue a request for proposals this summer to solicit more detailed proposals from 18 respondents to an earlier request, but is also open proposals from parties that have not yet submitted proposals. The project would involve a 500 MW pumped storage facility at the San Vicente Reservoir that would be capable of storing energy for five to eight hours.

What do Americans think about their water? Over the past few months, I’ve been poring over a variety of public opinion surveys that try to illuminate our attitudes toward water. Recent events, such as the lead poisoning in Flint and an epic drought in California, have repeatedly thrust water into the news cycle. Long before those headlines, however, Americans were telling pollsters they were worried about their water. Climate change’s impact on the hydrological cycle has only amplified the concerns.

The Escondido City Council met in closed session Wednesday to discuss litigation and labor and property negotiations. In open session, the council agreed to have the Planning Commission form a subcommittee to craft the Accessory Dwelling Unit ordinance; and amended the city’s Bicycle Master Plan to include cycle tracks. The council also adopted a resolution supporting the San Diego County Water Authority’s long-term water supply plan and lawsuit against the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.

Plans are in the works for an energy storage facility at the San Vicente Reservoir in San Diego’s East County that could ease pressure on electric grids by producing locally generated renewable energy, according to the San Diego County Water Authority. The San Diego County Water Authority Board of Directors on Thursday authorized the Water Authority, in conjunction with the City of San Diego, to begin seeking detailed proposals for the project that also would lessen upward pressure on water rates by providing a new source of revenue, officials said.