With Gov. Gavin Newsom’s recent executive order calling on local water systems to start conserving more water, we find ourselves in an all-too familiar cycle. When signs of drought abound, we hope for miraculous storms to parch the land’s thirst. Hope starts to fade, and our agencies pivot into crisis mode, cutting water use in ways that […]
Federal officials slated millions of dollars for rural water projects in several states, with the Biden administration looking to shore up infrastructure needs made more urgent by long-term drought conditions that have been exacerbated by climate change. The U.S. Interior Department announced Thursday that $420 million will be spent on projects in New Mexico, Minnesota, […]
Total water usage in California cities and towns decreased by just half a percent in February compared to the same month in 2020, a far cry from Gov. Gavin Newsom’s goal of reducing urban water use by 15%. Figures released this week by the State Water Resources Control Board showed that even during a third […]
Each morning for months, Amelia Morán Ceja has peered out her window, searching Sonoma’s wine country for dark clouds or the residue of rain on the leaves of her grapevines. Her searching has proved futile, and now she’s worried as California faces its third consecutive summer with drought. The dry conditions threaten her thirsty vines […]
Manteca’s per capita water use surged 14.6 percent in March as the city’s consumption continued to grow significantly over 2020 even after making adjustments for population gain. The double-digit gain in year-to-year use comes nine months after Governor Gavin Newsom asked Californians to voluntarily cut water usage by 15 percent based on 2020 consumption levels. […]
Painting alarming scenes of fires, floods and economic disruption, the California Legislature’s advisors today released a series of reports that lays out in stark terms the impacts of climate change across the state. The typically reserved, nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office outlined dire consequences for Californians as climate change continues to alter most aspects of daily life. Much […]
Opinion: California Needs to Update Water Conservation Standards
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /East Bay Timesby Bob Hertzberg and Tracy QuinnWith Gov. Gavin Newsom’s recent executive order calling on local water systems to start conserving more water, we find ourselves in an all-too familiar cycle. When signs of drought abound, we hope for miraculous storms to parch the land’s thirst. Hope starts to fade, and our agencies pivot into crisis mode, cutting water use in ways that […]
US Taps $420 Million to Boost Water Supplies Hit by Climate Change
/in California and the U.S., Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /AP Newsby Susan Montoya BryanFederal officials slated millions of dollars for rural water projects in several states, with the Biden administration looking to shore up infrastructure needs made more urgent by long-term drought conditions that have been exacerbated by climate change. The U.S. Interior Department announced Thursday that $420 million will be spent on projects in New Mexico, Minnesota, […]
Newsom Urged Californians to Cut Water Use by 15%. In February They Saved Less Than 1%
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Ian Jamesby Los Angeles TimesTotal water usage in California cities and towns decreased by just half a percent in February compared to the same month in 2020, a far cry from Gov. Gavin Newsom’s goal of reducing urban water use by 15%. Figures released this week by the State Water Resources Control Board showed that even during a third […]
Punishing Bay Area Drought Prompts Calls for Major Water Rethink
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /KQEDby Ezra David RomeroEach morning for months, Amelia Morán Ceja has peered out her window, searching Sonoma’s wine country for dark clouds or the residue of rain on the leaves of her grapevines. Her searching has proved futile, and now she’s worried as California faces its third consecutive summer with drought. The dry conditions threaten her thirsty vines […]
Manteca Water Use Soars 14.6% as Drought Deepens
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /Manteca Ripon Bulletinby Dennis WyattManteca’s per capita water use surged 14.6 percent in March as the city’s consumption continued to grow significantly over 2020 even after making adjustments for population gain. The double-digit gain in year-to-year use comes nine months after Governor Gavin Newsom asked Californians to voluntarily cut water usage by 15 percent based on 2020 consumption levels. […]
Report to California Legislature: Prepare for Sweeping Effects of Climate Change
/in California and the U.S., Home Headline, Media Coverage /by Mike Lee /CalMattersby Rachel Becker and Julie CartPainting alarming scenes of fires, floods and economic disruption, the California Legislature’s advisors today released a series of reports that lays out in stark terms the impacts of climate change across the state. The typically reserved, nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office outlined dire consequences for Californians as climate change continues to alter most aspects of daily life. Much […]