As if California’s water supplies weren’t already sufficiently imperiled, a bill that would have taken a small step toward groundwater regulation unfortunately has now stalled. Sen. Lois Wolk’s Senate Bill 1317 would have slowed the speed at which new wells are drilled, and denied permits for wells in critically overdrafted basins until groundwater regulations begin […]
It was revealed in June that California’s southern Sierra Nevada is now stocked with an estimated 66 million dead trees, all killed directly or indirectly by the state’s ongoing drought. The number is staggering and difficult to comprehend. Even more difficult is understanding what it means. In short, the southern Sierra – the highest section […]
The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has awarded more than $25.6 million in WaterSMART Water and Energy Efficiency Grants to support projects that increase water and energy conservation and efficiency, protect endangered species or address climate-related impacts on water. A total of 53 projects in 11 states will receive the FY 2016 grants. Those states include […]
The Colorado River’s two great reservoirs, Lake Mead and Lake Powell, are in retreat. Multi-year droughts and chronic overuse have taken their toll, to be sure, but vast quantities of water are also lost to evaporation. What if the same scorching sun that causes so much of this water loss were harnessed for electric power? […]
Hello, and welcome to another episode of our environmental policy podcast, Parts Per Billion. This is where we chat with reporters and newsmakers to bring you the stories behind our stories. Today we bring you the first of a two-part conversation between George Hawkins, head of the local water utility here in Washington, and Bloomberg […]
There are now 66 million dead trees in California’s forests due to several years of drought and native bark beetles, creating a “catastrophic” wildfire threat – or so claims U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. While Vilsack’s assertion may resonate with many in the general public because it makes intuitive sense, it simply isn’t true. […]
OPINION: California needs action now on groundwater protection
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Sacramento BeeAs if California’s water supplies weren’t already sufficiently imperiled, a bill that would have taken a small step toward groundwater regulation unfortunately has now stalled. Sen. Lois Wolk’s Senate Bill 1317 would have slowed the speed at which new wells are drilled, and denied permits for wells in critically overdrafted basins until groundwater regulations begin […]
Summer of Fire: Drought Transforms Southern Sierra
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Water Deeply (New York)by Matt WeiserIt was revealed in June that California’s southern Sierra Nevada is now stocked with an estimated 66 million dead trees, all killed directly or indirectly by the state’s ongoing drought. The number is staggering and difficult to comprehend. Even more difficult is understanding what it means. In short, the southern Sierra – the highest section […]
California Water Projects to Receive WaterSMART Grants for 2016
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Association of California Water Agenciesby Emily AllshouseThe U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has awarded more than $25.6 million in WaterSMART Water and Energy Efficiency Grants to support projects that increase water and energy conservation and efficiency, protect endangered species or address climate-related impacts on water. A total of 53 projects in 11 states will receive the FY 2016 grants. Those states include […]
Floating Solar: A Win-Win for Drought-Stricken Lakes in U.S.
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Yale Environment 360by Philip WarburgThe Colorado River’s two great reservoirs, Lake Mead and Lake Powell, are in retreat. Multi-year droughts and chronic overuse have taken their toll, to be sure, but vast quantities of water are also lost to evaporation. What if the same scorching sun that causes so much of this water loss were harnessed for electric power? […]
The Future of Water Utilities: Exciting and Unfunded
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Bloomberg BNAby David SchultzHello, and welcome to another episode of our environmental policy podcast, Parts Per Billion. This is where we chat with reporters and newsmakers to bring you the stories behind our stories. Today we bring you the first of a two-part conversation between George Hawkins, head of the local water utility here in Washington, and Bloomberg […]
Are Dead Trees a Threat?
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Sacramento Beeby Chad HansonThere are now 66 million dead trees in California’s forests due to several years of drought and native bark beetles, creating a “catastrophic” wildfire threat – or so claims U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. While Vilsack’s assertion may resonate with many in the general public because it makes intuitive sense, it simply isn’t true. […]