The Rincon tribe has taken a major step to protect water quality on the reservation and downstream, earning approval by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to administer surface water standards on the reservation. According to Chairman Bo Mazzetti, in recognition of tribal sovereignty, the federal Clean Water Act (CWA) encourages tribes to establish water quality […]
The bill to repair California’s crumbling roads, dams and other critical infrastructure hammered by an onslaught of storms this winter could top $1 billion, including nearly $600 million alone for damaged roadways that more than doubles what the state budgeted for road repair emergencies, officials said Friday. Adding to the problems, many communities have drained […]
After successfully appealing to the Trump administration for help with the Oroville Dam emergency, Gov. Jerry Brown announced Friday that he wants to accelerate state spending to reduce flood risks as he asked Washington to expedite federal environmental reviews on several projects, including repairs to the dam’s spillway. The Democratic governor’s flood protection plan combines […]
The crisis at Oroville Dam should be a wake-up call to those making infrastructure decisions today that will affect Californians for many years to come. A centerpiece of the massive State Water Project, which provides water to 25 million Californians, has proved highly vulnerable to the kind of heavy winter rains we’ll see more often […]
Big news this morning as Bakersfield and most of Kern County has officially “recovered” from the drought! However the Frazier Park area, while also seeing an improvement as of this morning’s weekly Drought Monitor Report, remains on the line between “Moderate Drought” and the lowest ranking of “Abnormally dry”. This doesn’t mean the drought has […]
The huge winter storms in California and out West produced a significant snowpack across the region and increased lake levels, setting the stage for major hydropower generation this year. Yet analysts say the boom in hydroelectricity could further depress power prices, which might be good news for rate payers but bad news ultimately for independent […]
Rincon Moves To Protect Reservation Water
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Valley Roadrunner (Valley Center)The Rincon tribe has taken a major step to protect water quality on the reservation and downstream, earning approval by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to administer surface water standards on the reservation. According to Chairman Bo Mazzetti, in recognition of tribal sovereignty, the federal Clean Water Act (CWA) encourages tribes to establish water quality […]
Storm-lashed California Roads, Dams Could Cost One Billion to Fix
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Associated Press (as published by Fortune)The bill to repair California’s crumbling roads, dams and other critical infrastructure hammered by an onslaught of storms this winter could top $1 billion, including nearly $600 million alone for damaged roadways that more than doubles what the state budgeted for road repair emergencies, officials said Friday. Adding to the problems, many communities have drained […]
Jerry Brown Wants To Spend Nearly $450 Million On Flood Control Following Dam Emergency
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Sacramento Beeby Christopher Cadelago and Jim MillerAfter successfully appealing to the Trump administration for help with the Oroville Dam emergency, Gov. Jerry Brown announced Friday that he wants to accelerate state spending to reduce flood risks as he asked Washington to expedite federal environmental reviews on several projects, including repairs to the dam’s spillway. The Democratic governor’s flood protection plan combines […]
OPINION: Oroville Dam Shows Urgent Need For Climate Adaptation
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Sacramento Beeby Alex Hall and Mark GoldThe crisis at Oroville Dam should be a wake-up call to those making infrastructure decisions today that will affect Californians for many years to come. A centerpiece of the massive State Water Project, which provides water to 25 million Californians, has proved highly vulnerable to the kind of heavy winter rains we’ll see more often […]
Drought Monitor Shows Bakersfield Has Recovered From The Drought
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /23ABC (Bakersfield)by Elaina RuskBig news this morning as Bakersfield and most of Kern County has officially “recovered” from the drought! However the Frazier Park area, while also seeing an improvement as of this morning’s weekly Drought Monitor Report, remains on the line between “Moderate Drought” and the lowest ranking of “Abnormally dry”. This doesn’t mean the drought has […]
California Expects Surge In Hydropower But That Could Be Bad News For These Power Companies
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /CNBC (Englewood Cliffs, N.J.)by Jeff DanielsThe huge winter storms in California and out West produced a significant snowpack across the region and increased lake levels, setting the stage for major hydropower generation this year. Yet analysts say the boom in hydroelectricity could further depress power prices, which might be good news for rate payers but bad news ultimately for independent […]