It’s been a year since two devastating wildfires on opposite ends of California underscored the harsh new realities facing water districts and cities serving communities in or adjacent to the state’s fire-prone wildlands. Fire doesn’t just level homes, it can contaminate water, scorch watersheds, damage delivery systems and upend an agency’s finances.
Supreme Court justices, both conservative and liberal, appeared skeptical Wednesday of a Trump administration argument that the federal Clean Water Act should not apply to sewage plant wastewater that flows into the ground and eventually seeps into federally protected waters, such as rivers or oceans. The case from Hawaii has emerged as a major test […]
Increasing energy output from solar and wind power could result in less groundwater usage and more drought-resistant environments, according to a study published Wednesday in Nature Communications. Researchers found solar and wind power, often viewed as valuable tools to help reduce reliance on fossil fuels and combat air pollution, can also lead to significantly less […]
Each month the National Interagency Fire Center releases a report on the likelihood of wildfire development across the continental United States. Here’s a breakdown of the most recent report released on November 1, 2019. The Sacramento Valley and Foothills, entire Bay Area and the western slopes of the Cascade-Sierra range are projected to have above-normal […]
At present, solar and wind energy are highly promoted as renewable energy technologies — clean technologies in terms of their carbon footprint. However, the most prominent renewable energy source for generating electricity is hydropower. The history of hydropower for generating electricity in the U.S. goes back to late 19th century.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (CN) – Yo-yoing between heat waves, torrential rainfall and raging wildfires that burn through Thanksgiving, the explosive nature of California’s weather has been on full display over the last several years. The state’s worst drought, one of its wettest winters and both the largest and most destructive wildfires all occurred this decade. Unpredictability […]
As Wildfires Grow More Intense, California Water Managers Are Rewriting Emergency Playbooks
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Water Education Foundation (Sacramento)by Gary Pitzer and Douglas E. BeemanIt’s been a year since two devastating wildfires on opposite ends of California underscored the harsh new realities facing water districts and cities serving communities in or adjacent to the state’s fire-prone wildlands. Fire doesn’t just level homes, it can contaminate water, scorch watersheds, damage delivery systems and upend an agency’s finances.
Supreme Court Leans Toward Expanding Clean Water Act To Protect Oceans From Wastewater
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Los Angeles Times by David G. SavageSupreme Court justices, both conservative and liberal, appeared skeptical Wednesday of a Trump administration argument that the federal Clean Water Act should not apply to sewage plant wastewater that flows into the ground and eventually seeps into federally protected waters, such as rivers or oceans. The case from Hawaii has emerged as a major test […]
Study: Switching to Solar And Wind Power Will Reduce Groundwater Use
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Courthouse News Service (Pasadena, Calif.)by Carson McCulloughIncreasing energy output from solar and wind power could result in less groundwater usage and more drought-resistant environments, according to a study published Wednesday in Nature Communications. Researchers found solar and wind power, often viewed as valuable tools to help reduce reliance on fossil fuels and combat air pollution, can also lead to significantly less […]
California Wildfire Outlook Through End of 2019, Early 2020 | Need to Know
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /ABC 10 San Diego by Tracy HumphreyEach month the National Interagency Fire Center releases a report on the likelihood of wildfire development across the continental United States. Here’s a breakdown of the most recent report released on November 1, 2019. The Sacramento Valley and Foothills, entire Bay Area and the western slopes of the Cascade-Sierra range are projected to have above-normal […]
Opinion: The Promise of Small Hydropower and Holistic Renewable Energy Grid
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /The Roanoke Times (Roanoke, Virginia)by Tamim Younos Mentioned: San Diego County Water AuthorityAt present, solar and wind energy are highly promoted as renewable energy technologies — clean technologies in terms of their carbon footprint. However, the most prominent renewable energy source for generating electricity is hydropower. The history of hydropower for generating electricity in the U.S. goes back to late 19th century.
California Urged to Update Water Plans for Increasingly Wild Weather
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Courthouse News Serviceby Nick CahillSACRAMENTO, Calif. (CN) – Yo-yoing between heat waves, torrential rainfall and raging wildfires that burn through Thanksgiving, the explosive nature of California’s weather has been on full display over the last several years. The state’s worst drought, one of its wettest winters and both the largest and most destructive wildfires all occurred this decade. Unpredictability […]