The Colorado River’s precipitous decline pushed Arizona lawmakers to deliver Gov. Doug Ducey’s $1 billion water augmentation fund — and then some — late Friday, their final night in session. Before the votes, the growing urgency for addressing the state’s oncoming water shortage and the long timeline for approving and building new water projects nearly sank […]
The price of water — essential for human life, nature, communities and businesses — is often subsidized, reflecting a commonly held belief that everyone should have abundant access to clean water. But in many locations, those prices don’t reflect the true cost of addressing issues such as water quality or scarcity. That makes it difficult for […]
Droughts are periods characterized by abnormally dry conditions. But what are megadroughts, and how bad is the one currently affecting parts of the United States? While there are no clear definitions of what a megadrought is, in general these events are defined as droughts that last for multiple decades, i.e. two or more, according to […]
For many decades, the Colorado River was managed with the attitude that its water levels would remain roughly stable over time, punctuated by alternating wet and dry periods. But in the face of possibly the river’s driest period in 1,200 years, a new approach is now needed to managing the river’s reservoirs — one that […]
After three years of drought, the massive state and federal water projects that serve California’s cities and farms have less water to distribute, forcing water managers to increasingly ration supplies.
The expansive energy bill that so angered clean-energy advocates and city and county officials — negotiated last week behind closed-doors — was softened somewhat over the weekend, restoring oversight of new energy projects to some critical state agencies. But those hard-won concessions were nearly negated late Sunday night as Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration added an entirely new […]
Pipelines? Desalination? Turf Removal? Arizona Commits $1B to Augment, Conserve Water Supplies
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /AZ Centralby Brandon LoomisThe Colorado River’s precipitous decline pushed Arizona lawmakers to deliver Gov. Doug Ducey’s $1 billion water augmentation fund — and then some — late Friday, their final night in session. Before the votes, the growing urgency for addressing the state’s oncoming water shortage and the long timeline for approving and building new water projects nearly sank […]
Will Water Pricing Be the Next Carbon Pricing?
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /GreenBizby Jesse KleinThe price of water — essential for human life, nature, communities and businesses — is often subsidized, reflecting a commonly held belief that everyone should have abundant access to clean water. But in many locations, those prices don’t reflect the true cost of addressing issues such as water quality or scarcity. That makes it difficult for […]
U.S. Megadrought is Worst for Over 1,000 Years: How Long Could It Last?
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Newsweekby Aristos GeorgiouDroughts are periods characterized by abnormally dry conditions. But what are megadroughts, and how bad is the one currently affecting parts of the United States? While there are no clear definitions of what a megadrought is, in general these events are defined as droughts that last for multiple decades, i.e. two or more, according to […]
Feds Seek Ideas on How to Manage a Drier Colorado River
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Tuscon.comby Tony DavisFor many decades, the Colorado River was managed with the attitude that its water levels would remain roughly stable over time, punctuated by alternating wet and dry periods. But in the face of possibly the river’s driest period in 1,200 years, a new approach is now needed to managing the river’s reservoirs — one that […]
California’s Drought Means Less Water to Go Around. Who is Winning the Pursuit for Water — and Who is Losing?
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /San Francisco Chronicleby Kurtis Alexander and Yoohyun JungAfter three years of drought, the massive state and federal water projects that serve California’s cities and farms have less water to distribute, forcing water managers to increasingly ration supplies.
California Power Plant Deal: Fast-Tracking and Fossil Fuel Backups
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /CalMattersby Julie CartThe expansive energy bill that so angered clean-energy advocates and city and county officials — negotiated last week behind closed-doors — was softened somewhat over the weekend, restoring oversight of new energy projects to some critical state agencies. But those hard-won concessions were nearly negated late Sunday night as Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration added an entirely new […]