Fountains still shimmer opulently at casinos on the Las Vegas Strip, but lush carpets of grass are gradually disappearing along the streets of Sin City. Despite its reputation for excess, the Mojave Desert metropolis has been factoring climate change into its water plans for years, declaring war on thirsty lawns, patrolling the streets for water […]
The new year started off with a parade of storms, leading to San Francisco and the wider Bay Area seeing one of its rainiest time frames since the Gold Rush era. This onslaught of storms seemed a bit out of place with the trend of La Niña, an outlook that traditionally brings warm, dry conditions to most of California. […]
Just six months ago, California Gov. Gavin Newsom and his administration were boasting a budget surplus of $97.5 billion. Today, thanks to a falling stock market and a weakened tech sector, California has an apparently unforeseen budget deficit of $22.5 billion. Cuts must be made. But Newsom’s proposed cuts seemingly come at the expense of […]
States dependent on the drought-stricken Colorado River are increasingly looking toward desalination as a way to fix the river’s deficit and boost water supplies across the western U.S. The search for alternative ways to source water comes as federal officials continue to impose mandatory water cuts for states that draw from the Colorado River, which supplies water […]
Western water managers are optimistic that a deal to buoy the drought-stricken Colorado River can be pieced together in the waning days before a deadline set by the federal government rolls around next week. The Bureau of Reclamation has given the seven states in the basin until the end of January to propose their own […]
Extreme weather hammered California through the first weeks of the year – but also offered a badly needed reprieve. The deep snow dumped on the Sierra Nevada during a series of strong storms left the state with a robust water savings account of sorts. As the weather warms over the spring and summer months, the melting snow […]
How Las Vegas Declared War on Thirsty Grass and Set an Example for the Desert Southwest
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Los Angeles Timesby Molly Hennessy-Fiske and Ian JamesFountains still shimmer opulently at casinos on the Las Vegas Strip, but lush carpets of grass are gradually disappearing along the streets of Sin City. Despite its reputation for excess, the Mojave Desert metropolis has been factoring climate change into its water plans for years, declaring war on thirsty lawns, patrolling the streets for water […]
Why Forecasts for La Niña Turned Out to Be All Wet
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /San Francisco Chronicleby Gerry DiazThe new year started off with a parade of storms, leading to San Francisco and the wider Bay Area seeing one of its rainiest time frames since the Gold Rush era. This onslaught of storms seemed a bit out of place with the trend of La Niña, an outlook that traditionally brings warm, dry conditions to most of California. […]
Opinion: California’s Climate is the First to Suffer in Newsom’s Proposed Budget Cuts | Opinion
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /The Sacramento BeeJust six months ago, California Gov. Gavin Newsom and his administration were boasting a budget surplus of $97.5 billion. Today, thanks to a falling stock market and a weakened tech sector, California has an apparently unforeseen budget deficit of $22.5 billion. Cuts must be made. But Newsom’s proposed cuts seemingly come at the expense of […]
Why Desalination Won’t Save States Dependent on Colorado River Water
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /CNBCby Emma NewburgerStates dependent on the drought-stricken Colorado River are increasingly looking toward desalination as a way to fix the river’s deficit and boost water supplies across the western U.S. The search for alternative ways to source water comes as federal officials continue to impose mandatory water cuts for states that draw from the Colorado River, which supplies water […]
Colorado River Water Managers Optimistic About Drought Plan as Deadline Looms
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Las Vegas Review-Journalby Colton LochheadWestern water managers are optimistic that a deal to buoy the drought-stricken Colorado River can be pieced together in the waning days before a deadline set by the federal government rolls around next week. The Bureau of Reclamation has given the seven states in the basin until the end of January to propose their own […]
Storms Dumped Snow on California. Will It Bring a Reprieve From the Drought?
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /The Guardianby Gabrielle CanonExtreme weather hammered California through the first weeks of the year – but also offered a badly needed reprieve. The deep snow dumped on the Sierra Nevada during a series of strong storms left the state with a robust water savings account of sorts. As the weather warms over the spring and summer months, the melting snow […]