The agency that supplies water to most of Southern California has paid tens of millions of dollars since 2008 to exit risky and complex financial deals it made before the Great Recession hit. The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California entered two dozen interest-rate swap deals, which, in a convoluted way, aimed to stabilize debt […]
Randy Brown became the first person to hike the 116-mile perimeter of the Salton Sea in June 2015. Now Brown’s hike, which he completed during 105 to 110-degree weather, and the problems the sea is facing are the subject of a documentary that is set to debut at the Oceanside Film Festival on Monday.The Salton […]
As California water becomes an increasingly precious and contentious resource, the state needs an umpire with the power to enforce laws against illegal diversions and protect the rights of the public and others with enforceable claims to state water. That decisionmaker must be both muscular and fair. There is indeed such a water umpire in […]
/in San Diego County/by Mike Lee /The San Diego Union-Tribuneby Randy Record Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority
After seven years and about $40 million in legal costs stemming from lawsuits filed by the San Diego County Water Authority, no ruling to date will noticeably change local water bills or address a single important regional water challenge. All ratepayers lose the longer the Water Authority’s fighting drags on. The court process is not […]
Metropolitan Water District Has Paid Almost $88M to Get Out of Risky Swap Deals
/in San Diego County /by Mike Lee /Voice of San Diego by Ashly McGloneThe agency that supplies water to most of Southern California has paid tens of millions of dollars since 2008 to exit risky and complex financial deals it made before the Great Recession hit. The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California entered two dozen interest-rate swap deals, which, in a convoluted way, aimed to stabilize debt […]
Documentary On Man’s 116-Mile Walk Around Salton Sea To Be Screened At Oceanside Film Fest
/in San Diego County /by Mike Lee /KPBSby Brooke Ruth and Maureen CavanaughRandy Brown became the first person to hike the 116-mile perimeter of the Salton Sea in June 2015. Now Brown’s hike, which he completed during 105 to 110-degree weather, and the problems the sea is facing are the subject of a documentary that is set to debut at the Oceanside Film Festival on Monday.The Salton […]
OPINION: Legislature, Don’t Mess With California’s Water Umpire
/in San Diego County /by Mike Lee /Los Angeles TimesAs California water becomes an increasingly precious and contentious resource, the state needs an umpire with the power to enforce laws against illegal diversions and protect the rights of the public and others with enforceable claims to state water. That decisionmaker must be both muscular and fair. There is indeed such a water umpire in […]
OPINION: Ratepayers Lose When Water Districts Choose Courts Over Collaboration
/in San Diego County /by Mike Lee /The San Diego Union-Tribuneby Randy Record Mentioned: San Diego County Water AuthorityAfter seven years and about $40 million in legal costs stemming from lawsuits filed by the San Diego County Water Authority, no ruling to date will noticeably change local water bills or address a single important regional water challenge. All ratepayers lose the longer the Water Authority’s fighting drags on. The court process is not […]