Commentary: Who is the loser in the Monterey desalination saga?
Posted by: Maven on February 6, 2012 at 7:19 amFrom American Water Intelligence, this commentary:
“Now that California American Water (CalAm) has pulled out of the Regional Desalination Project (RDP), it appears the company will move forward with an alternative – with no participation from regional agencies. It isn’t clear what those entities, namely the Marina Coast Water District (MCWD) and the Monterey County Water Resources Agency (MCWRA), have gained from their refusal to play nice with CalAm.
The big paranoia in California is that desalination is a front for real estate development. At the moment, anyone building a new property has to be able to show a 100-year sustainable water supply. It has proved the most effective insurance coastal residents have against urban sprawl ruining the view. A privately owned desal plant changes the game: once one is built, any property developer with a bit of pipe will have a 100-year sustainable water supply. … “
Continue reading from American Water Intelligence by clicking here.
Hold the salt: Developer explores using desalinated water for Saltworks project
Posted by: Maven on February 4, 2012 at 7:50 amFrom the Silicon Valley Mercury News:
“Among many challenges facing the controversial Redwood City Saltworks project, securing water for a community that may have as many as 12,000 homes is high on the list.
DMB Pacific Ventures, a new company owned by Arizona-based DMB Associates that wants to develop Saltworks on Cargill’s salt flats, has promised not to tap into Redwood City’s limited water supply to hydrate the massive 1,436-acre project, which also would include office buildings, stores, schools, playing fields and restored marshlands.
Until recently, DMB has been focusing on a complex maneuver to transfer the rights to 2.7 billion gallons of water a year purchased from a Bakersfield farming collective to a Bay Area water agency for delivery. … “
Continue reading from the Silicon Valley Mercury News by clicking here.
Santa Cruz: Desal petition finalized: Group must now collect about 5,500 signatures from registered voters
Posted by: Maven on February 4, 2012 at 7:04 amFrom the Silicon Valley Mercury News:
“The city attorney finalized language Friday on a petition from desalination opponents who are aiming for a ballot measure that would change the city’s charter to let voters decide the project’s fate.
The charter amendment, if approved by a majority of voters, would remove the City’s Council authority to approve a seawater desalination plant designed to offset supply during severely dry periods. The amendment also would bar the city from incurring debt for the controversial project.
Rick Longinotti, a leader of the Right to Vote on Desal Coalition, said the group will have to work diligently to collect signatures from 15 percent of registered city voters, roughly 5,500, to place the matter on November’s ballot. Advocates, who are hosting a kick-off party Feb. 12, have a 180-day window from the petition’s publication in the newspaper, which Longinotti said would be soon. … “
Continue reading from the Silicon Valley Mercury News by clicking here.
Santa Cruz Looks to desalination for water; Construction of desalination plant under consideration to offset water shortage
Posted by: Maven on February 4, 2012 at 7:02 amFrom the City on a Hill Press:
“The Santa Cruz City Council approved the continuation of a contract with an environmental impact desalination consultant last week. Desalination has been in the works for decades now, and for Santa Cruz County it may serve as a feasible source of water in a city that just experienced its second driest December in history.
The plant is projected to produce 2.5 million gallons a day, and comes with a price tag of nearly $100 million. The cost will be split between Santa Cruz and Soquel County water districts, with Santa Cruz paying 59 percent of the bill. Cost aside, it will take some time for a desalination plant to become a reality in Santa Cruz, as controversies come with its construction. … “
Continue reading from the City on a Hill Press by clicking here.
Monterey desal EIR dealt blow; Review failed to consider water rights, judge rules
Posted by: Maven on February 4, 2012 at 7:01 amFrom the Monterey County Herald:
“In an amended ruling, a Monterey County Superior Court judge has found that the environmental review for the failed regional desalination project neglected to properly consider a number of issues, including water rights.
The revised ruling, which amends a tentative decision issued by Judge Lydia Villarreal in December, deals a severe blow to any thoughts California American Water may have had of using the project’s environmental impact report on an alternative desal project.
And it could raise questions about whether the EIR is adequate under the California Environmental Quality Act for Cal Am to go ahead with its portion of the regional project. … “
Continue reading from the Monterey County Herald by clicking here.
Ag-business group alleges Monterey County water agency used ‘creative accounting’
Posted by: Maven on February 2, 2012 at 7:56 amFrom the Monterey County Herald:
“An agri-business organization has accused the county Water Resources Agency of engaging in “creative accounting” in connection with its spending on the failed regional desalination project.
In a letter to the Board of Supervisors last week, the Salinas Valley Water Coalition raised a number of questions about the water agency’s use of public funds intended for other purposes to pay for project expenses.
According to the letter, signed by coalition President Nancy Isakson, the agency appeared to borrow money from various funds, including tax proceeds from its Salinas Valley Water Project account, “without proper authorization or transparency.” It used the funds to pay the up-front costs of the desal project, then identified them as overhead, the letter said. … “
Continue reading from the Monterey County Herald by clicking here.
Monterey: Desal sales pitch lacking, says commentary
Posted by: Maven on January 31, 2012 at 7:03 amFrom the Monterey County Herald, this commentary by Ed Mitchell, North County activist:
“For nearly a year the media have reported about the regional desalination project’s corrupted assault on the pocketbooks of Peninsula ratepayers. Less discussed is how some public officials in county water agencies traded away the livelihood of coastal farmers in North County for the financial benefit of subdivision developers.
This charade included Supervisor Lou Calcagno, county water agency manager Curtis Weeks and the indicted Steve Collins. These officials jawboned with farmers in the supervisor’s office and at other meeting sites, often out of public view, to support the desalination project. The good-deal arguments included claiming coastal farmers would not be harmed by brackish water withdrawals since only 10,000 acre-feet a year of potable water would be shipped out of Salinas Valley’s Zone 2C. Even better, withdrawals would prevent saltwater intrusion! Plus, by having coastal farmers excluded from the regional desalination project they would avoid expensive zone-of-benefit fees. … “
Continue reading from the Monterey County Herald by clicking here.
Monterey commentary: Resetting water priorities
Posted by: Maven on January 28, 2012 at 7:40 amFrom the Monterey County Herald, this commentary by Dale Hekhuis, former chairman of the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District and a founder of the Peninsula Water Ratepayer Coalition:
“Cal Am’s departure from the regional desalination project has opened the door to resetting water priorities. Suddenly, a number of water supply options appear attractive.
- Accelerating Cal Am’s water facility construction.
Cal Am has a request before the Public Utilities Commission to accelerate construction of the Seaside pipeline, the Monterey pipeline (not including the main transfer pipeline), two storage reservoirs and aquifer storage and recovery facilities. The pipelines are sized based on the aquifer storage project and would not change even if a smaller desalination plant is built. … “
Continue reading this commentary from the Monterey County Herald by clicking here.
Desal opponents plan November ballot measure: Petition for city charter change calls for voter OK of water project
Posted by: Maven on January 26, 2012 at 10:39 pmFrom the Santa Cruz Sentinel:
“Opponents of a proposed seawater desalination plant have submitted a preliminary petition notice to the city that would ask voters whether they want the opportunity to approve the controversial project in a future election.
City Attorney John Barisone has until Feb. 6 to reply to the notice filed by Rick Longinotti, a founder of Santa Cruz Desal Alternatives. The petition proposes a change in the city’s charter that would ensure Santa Cruz “does not approve, permit or fund a desalination plant without voter approval.” … “
Continue reading from the Santa Cruz Sentinel by clicking here.
Time is now for Cal Am’s desal plan, says the Monterey County Herald
Posted by: Maven on January 26, 2012 at 10:38 pmFrom the Monterey County Herald:
“If California American Water goes it alone to build a desalination plant of its own near Marina or anywhere else, it should be required to make the project similar to the long-discussed regional desalination project that also involved Monterey County and the Marina water district—and to get a move on.
With the possible exception of downsizing, dramatic changes in design and approach would almost certainly draw out the approval process and require another full environmental impact report—which, for practical purposes, could mean another environmental impact report after that.
A Cal Am official told a Public Utilities Commission judge this week that the company hopes to simply modify the PUC’s existing approval of the seemingly defunct regional project to expedite the process. Cal Am wanted 90 days to come back with a new plan, but was told to return by March 1. That is a positive sign from the PUC, because Cal Am faces a state order to start reducing the use of Carmel River water, the Peninsula’s primary supply, by 2016. The need to find or create an alternate suppy becomes more urgent with each passing day. … “
Continue reading from the Monterey County Herald by clicking here.
Carlsbad Desalination Project negotiations, due diligence proceeding on schedule
Posted by: Maven on January 26, 2012 at 10:27 pmFrom the San Diego County Water Authority, this press release:
“San Diego County Water Authority staff reported today they are making significant progress toward finalizing a draft agreement for purchasing water from the Carlsbad Desalination Project. Contingent on the successful completion of negotiations with Poseidon Resources, the project’s private developer, staff told the Water Authority’s Board of Directors they expect to bring the draft water purchase agreement to the board for consideration this summer.
“We’re entering the home stretch of taking all the necessary steps to ensure we’re protecting the interests of the Water Authority, our member agencies and our ratepayers in determining the proposed commercial terms for purchasing water from Poseidon,” Director of Water Resources Ken Weinberg said. “We’re close to knowing exactly what capital improvements we will need to make to our water distribution and treatment system to take water from the project. Financial and project due diligence activities are also moving forward. These activities will ensure our board knows the total costs that need to be reflected in the final draft water purchase agreement, as well as successful construction and operation of the desalination facilities, prior to the board’s final consideration and vote on the project.” … “
Continue reading from the San Diego County Water Authority by clicking here.
MORE COVERAGE: Draft Carlsbad desal agreement to be ready by spring, says Water Authority, from the North County Times
There is a solution now for Monterey water needs, says commentary
Posted by: Maven on January 26, 2012 at 7:26 amFrom the Salinas Californian, this commentary by Nader Agha, managing partner of The People’s Moss Landing Water Desal Project:
“It is a matter of fact that the Marina Regional Desalination Project was doomed from the beginning, and it is now clear that the project is defunct per Cal Am’s recent announcement. I don’t like saying so, but I have been saying that this project is “dead in the water” for the past year and a half for all the reasons noted.
In addition, I believe it is terribly wrong, after all this time, that the ratepayers have seen no solution to the water dilemma, especially after footing the bill and paying millions of dollars. Why, when there has been a realistic and affordable solution all along?
The People’s Moss Landing Water Desal Project is on the site of†the former National Refractories and Minerals Plant. Way back in 2002, this site was declared to be a “best apparent site for a desal plant” by a report prepared for The Water Division of the California Public Utilities Commission (PUC). … “
Continue reading this commentary at the Salinas Californian by clicking here.
Santa Cruz City Council OKs more desal spending, bullfrog ban
Posted by: Maven on January 25, 2012 at 7:40 amFrom the Santa Cruz Sentinel:
“The City Council on Tuesday approved a fifth contract with a San Francisco-based consultant amid ongoing objections from opponents of a seawater desalination plant.
Water Department Director Bill Kocher said the $95,000 contract for Kennedy/Jenks would cover work on the project’s Environmental Impact Report expected in April, including responding to public comments and questions about the analysis. The cost will be shared with the city’s desalination partner, Soquel Creek Water District. … “
Continue reading from the Santa Cruz Sentinel by clicking here.
RELATED: Advocates call for Santa Cruz planning to line up with climate action goals
Monterey: Cal Am gets deadline for new plan; Company already seeking alternative to stalled project
Posted by: Maven on January 25, 2012 at 7:27 amFrom the Monterey County Herald:
“An administrative law judge directed California American Water on Tuesday to come up with a new proposal for a water supply project on the Peninsula by the beginning of March.
The directive came after Cal Am announced it would file a request with the state Public Utilities Commission within three months to pursue a new water supply project. Last week, Cal Am said it would no longer support the long-stalled regional desalination project.
In a conference at PUC headquarters, Judge Angela Minkin gave Cal Am until March 1 to deliver a report on its efforts to provide a new supply and how it intends to move forward.
“The clock is ticking, and 2016 is just around the corner,” Minkin said, referring to the date when a state-ordered cutback in pumping from the Carmel River is set to take full effect. … “
Continue reading from the Monterey County Herald by clicking here.
Monterey: Water agency wants payment for Collins’ expenses
Posted by: Maven on January 25, 2012 at 7:25 amFrom the Monterey County Herald:
“Hundreds of dollars of bills charged by former county Water Resources Agency board member Steve Collins last year are among the regional desalination project-related expenses for which water agency officials want to be repaid using a California American Water credit line.
According to a review of a series of invoices submitted by the county water agency, Collins billed the agency for attending several meetings related to the project, including fees and mileage, through the first three months of the year, and sought reimbursement for a Washington, D.C. hotel stay and a per diem for meals stemming from a January visit last year. … “
Continue reading from the Monterey County Herald by clicking here.
RMC desal bills fuzzy on work for county: Invoices include tasks for other project partners
Posted by: Maven on January 22, 2012 at 7:18 amFrom the Monterey County Herald:
“A review of bills from RMC Water and Environment for work on the ill-fated regional desalination project raises a number of questions, including exactly what the county would be getting for its money.
In addition to listing nearly $700,000 of charges for work on the project from early January through late August 2011, RMC’s invoices to the county Water Resources Agency include a long list of tasks and other items for which the project manager is seeking payment.
But it’s not clear what portion of the work is being charged to the county water agency because the invoices include tasks done for all three project partners: the county, California American Water and Marina Coast Water District. … “
Continue reading from the Monterey County Herald by clicking here.
Monterey commentary: Making water go public
Posted by: Maven on January 22, 2012 at 7:09 amFrom the Monterey County Herald, this guest commentary by Ron Weitzman, who lives in Carmel, president of WaterPlus, a group that advocates a public takeover of Cal Am:
“Judge Lydia Villarreal’s order of a new environmental impact report for the regional desalination project and Cal Am’s withdrawal from it give our community some breathing time as we go racing across the desert like a mule train without a driver in search of a new water source, with the state Water Resources Control Board in hot pursuit.
Meanwhile, the regional project has run out of breath with buzzards already circling above the not-quite-dead carcass. The Peninsula cities are in the process of forming a joint powers agency (JPA) to seize the reins while environmentalists are trying to breathe new life into the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District to enable it to rein in any new development threatened by alternative projects.
Offering to help the district promote its conservation ethic is the Monterey Regional Water Pollution Control Agency, which sees no sense in wasting wastewater. … “
Continue reading from the Monterey County Herald by clicking here.
Monterey: Agency wants cap on Cal Am credit lifted; Supervisors will take up county’s desal project bills
Posted by: Maven on January 20, 2012 at 5:43 amFrom the Monterey County Herald:
“Although California American Water has withdrawn from the Regional Desalination Project, the county Water Resources Agency still plans to ask the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday to lift the cap on the company-backed credit line to pay for project expenses already incurred and for unspecified future spending.
However, Cal Am spokeswoman Catherine Bowie said the credit line is not open, and Supervisor Dave Potter said he believes that if the desal project is finished, then the credit line is, too.
Earlier this month, supervisors delayed the agency’s bid to lift the cap until more detail was provided on past bills and potential future costs. The board, which capped the agency’s access to the Cal Am credit line at $286,000 in March until a project financing plan was complete, did allow access to an additional $62,000 to pay for a low-interest state loan application for the ill-fated desal project at its Jan. 10 meeting. … “
Continue reading from the Monterey County Herald by clicking here.
Monterey: Desalination still deserves hard look, says commentary
Posted by: Maven on January 19, 2012 at 5:56 amFrom the Monterey County Herald, this commentary by Rudy Fischer, member of the Pacific Grove City Council:
“At a meeting I attended several weeks ago, someone made the statement that the local desalination project was dead; we just don’t have the coroner’s report yet. With Cal Am’s announcement this week that it is withdrawing from the deal, maybe we now have that report.
But what is the big deal with desal?
Over 70 percent of the world’s surface is water, and during my four years in the Navy 30 years ago, I sailed over a good portion of that 70 percent. The problem with that water, of course, is that it is salt water. Even then, though, we made fresh water from salt water. On our ship (a destroyer) we had two evaporation units that we used to make enough water for about 300 people to drink, cook and shower with, and to run two steam plants that provided power and propulsion. Every ship in any Navy makes its own water while at sea. … “
Continue reading this commentary from the Monterey County Herald by clicking here.
Monterey: California American Water withdraws support for Regional Desalination Project Alliance; Alternative water project will be pursued
Posted by: Maven on January 17, 2012 at 8:21 amBig news for those of you following the Monterey desalination saga. From Business Wire:
“California American Water announced today that it has withdrawn its support of the three-party agreements behind the Regional Desalination Project that the company had proposed with Marina Coast Water District and the Monterey County Water Resources Agency in response to State imposed limitations on the Monterey Peninsula’s water supply.
“Desalination will be part of the Monterey Peninsula’s future water supply, but the Regional Desalination Project will not be the vehicle to deliver it,” said California American Water president Rob MacLean. “Recognizing the severity of the state’s cutback order, we must now move forward on an alternative water supply project as quickly as possible.” … “
Read the rest of this press release from Market Watch by clicking here.
Explanation needed on desal spending. says Monterey County Herald editorial
Posted by: Maven on January 10, 2012 at 7:20 amFrom the Monterey County Herald, this editorial:
“Suppose you hired a contractor to build something for you, a house perhaps. You start paying him but then you find out he has made some fishy payments to a government official in order to obtain the building permit for your project. As a result, the construction is postponed for months and months, maybe even indefinitely.
Then, although you have already paid him quite a bit of money, the contractor comes back and wants more money, mostly for work done after you discovered the funny business with the permit.
Do you pay up? Probably not.
But if you’re Monterey County, apparently so. … “
Continue reading this editorial from the Monterey County Herald by clicking here.
Monterey County asks to lift desal credit limit
Posted by: Maven on January 8, 2012 at 8:01 amFrom the Monterey County Herald:
“The Board of Supervisors will be asked Tuesday to allow unrestricted access to a California American Water-backed credit line and approve a bid for low-interest state financing for the $400 million Regional Desalination Project.
This comes despite the apparent absence of a resolution among project partners on a number of issues, including the viability of the project agreements, questions about financing and ongoing legal challenges.
It also ignores the supervisors’ previous order requiring a series of conditions, most notably the completion of a financing plan, before the Cal Am credit line could be tapped beyond limits set in March.
County Counsel Charles McKee, who has taken a lead role in the mediation process, characterized the requests as a way to position the county and its Water Resources Agency to be ready to proceed, if needed, once the mediation is complete. … “
Continue reading from the Monterey County Herald by clicking here.
Let the Monterey Peninsula manage water, says commentary
Posted by: Maven on January 8, 2012 at 7:58 amFrom the Monterey County Herald, this column by Roger Dolan of the Carmel Valley Association Water Committee:
“This holiday season, a welcome quietude settled over the chaotic Peninsula water supply program, known as the Regional Desalination Project. But one should not mistake quiet for peace.
The fussing dropped out of sight partly because the partners in the project, California American Water, Marina Coast Water District and Monterey County Water Resources Agency, are locked into confidential negotiations about the project’s future and partly because the Agricultural Land Trust v. Marina Coast lawsuit that has been in the works for two years was nearing a judgment.
In short, for those following the project, the quiet air was heavy with anticipation. … “
Continue reading from the Monterey County Herald by clicking here.
Monterey: Built-in traps snag desal process, says commentary
Posted by: Maven on January 7, 2012 at 8:25 amFrom the Monterey County Herald, this commentary by George Riley of Monterey, who is heavily involved in local water issues and has been directly involved in the Regional Desalination Project:
“By most accounts, the Regional Desalination Project should be dead. It was approved by the state Public Utilities Commission in late 2010, but throughout 2011 it deteriorated steadily. Between scandal, junk bond financing, rising costs, permit delays, extensive secret meetings and now a legal setback, what keeps it alive?
The latest setback is the most serious: the Monterey Superior Court ruling that the environmental impact report must be redone under the Marina Coast Water District. This delays the schedule another year and adds costs. Further litigation on water rights is still pending.
It should force the partners to rethink their commitment to the project. But will it? … “
Continue reading from the Monterey County Herald by clicking here.
Monterey County Herald: Little to report on desalination project
Posted by: Maven on January 6, 2012 at 7:35 amFrom the Monterey County Herald, this editorial:
“Wouldn’t it be grand if serious progress was made on the regional desalination project while most of us were distracted by the holidays? We have heard, and you have read, quite little on the subject for some time. Could it be that no news really is good news?
Sorry. Nothing of substance to report here except for the rumor that all those water experts and their lawyers mediating and arbitrating and otherwise talking behind closed doors for several months may be nearing the end of their discussions. They may soon be ready to start talking about trying to actually revive the project.
Put another way, it may be true that Monterey County and Cal Am and the Marina Coast Water District and who knows who else may have found a way to continue without a bunch of lawsuits over their roles in letting the project become tangled by conflicts of interest, jarring cost estimates and other complications. … “
Continue reading from the Monterey County Herald by clicking here.
Parched for Water — Controversial Southern California desalination pilot projects
Posted by: Maven on January 5, 2012 at 7:30 amFrom the DC Bureau:
“Tucked behind the northeast corner of King Harbor Marina in Redondo Beach, California, there is a $10 million experiment taking place over how best to turn the salt water of the Pacific Ocean into drinkable tap water.
The demo plant here represents the second of two pilot projects – the other one previously in El Segundo began 10 years ago and has since been concluded. The two pilots have cost at least $18 million. A review of board meeting documents by the nonprofit Desal Response Group reveal more than $23 million in construction and consulting services since 2006 related to the development of these two pilot projects.
Out of more than a dozen water agencies in California thinking about building a full-scale ocean desalination facility, none have spent as much time and money on demonstration projects than the West Basin Municipal Water District in Southern California. … “
Continue reading from the DC Bureau by clicking here.
Cambria desalination study fails consistency test
Posted by: Maven on January 1, 2012 at 7:23 amFrom Desalination & Water Reuse:
“The California Coastal Commission has called into question the future of the Cambria desalination project near San Luis Opispo by ruling that a US Army Corps of Engineers project to test soil and water near the proposed intake/outfall site is inconsistent with its habitat and coastline rules.
If the federal government engineers were to ignore the state commission’s ruling, a lawsuit would inevitably result, making such a move unlikely. … “
Continue reading from Desalination & Water Reuse by clicking here.
Monterey County: Bring on Plan B: What’s next in the ongoing desal drama?
Posted by: Maven on December 28, 2011 at 11:32 pmFrom the Monterey County Weekly, this commentary:
“Drip, drip, drip, drip, drip, drip.
Wondering how, for the love of God, two taxpayer-funded public agencies and one savvy private water company could have so badly botched the formation of a plan to take salt out of water and pipe it to Monterey Peninsula homes and businesses? Curious as to the viability of nearly a dozen alternative plans being floated to take the place of the $400 million Regional Desalination Project currently tottering on the brink of collapse?
Anticipating the results of a conflict-of-interest investigation led by the state Fair Political Practices Commission (whose chief, Ann Ravel, has as part of her mission statement a focus on major cases involving conflicts of interest)? The FPPC sleuthing could result in fines and criminal charges aimed straight at several members of the county Board of Supervisors, directors of public agencies and one former county water board director already facing dozens of criminal charges. … “
Continue reading from the Monterey County Weekly by clicking here.
Poseidon desal project vote likely for June
Posted by: Maven on December 26, 2011 at 7:39 amFrom the North County Times:
“Poseidon Resources Corp. now expects its proposed desalination project to cost about $750 million and a completed contract to be ready for public review in April 2012, company executives said this week.
A vote by the San Diego County Water Authority on whether to sign a 30-year water purchase agreement with Poseidon could then occur by June, the executives said. The Water Authority, supplier of the great majority of drinking water for the county, has been studying the issue since the summer of 2010. It’s now negotiating terms of the contract with Stamford, Conn.-based Poseidon. … “
Continue reading from the North County Times by clicking here.
Water boarding: Has ocean desalination’s swan song been sung in Orange County?
Posted by: Maven on December 24, 2011 at 6:46 amFrom the Surf City Voice:
“An Irvine water official recently let members of the Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC) board know that their public relations efforts on behalf of ocean desalination aren’t necessarily welcomed in his agency’s jurisdiction, which stretches across the county’s mid-section as its largest water district.
MWDOC is the retailer for 28 water agencies throughout the county.
Open dissent by local water officials toward ocean desalination projects is rarely if ever heard at MWDOC meetings, where the belief that such projects, however costly, are a vital part of a larger water portfolio is all but officially treated as sacrosanct. … “
Continue reading from the Surf City Voice by clicking here.
Monterey: Judge orders new desal EIR; Villareal says Marina Coast should take lead on project
Posted by: Maven on December 22, 2011 at 7:15 amFrom the Monterey County Herald:
“In a development certain to add even more delay to the Regional Desalination Project, a Monterey County Superior Court judge ordered a new environmental review for the proposal.
In a ruling issued Monday, Judge Lydia Villareal said the Marina Coast Water District should be the lead agency on the project and must prepare and certify an environmental impact report.
Ag Land Trust sued Marina Coast last year, alleging the district should have been the lead agency under the California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA, and should have been responsible for the EIR instead of the state Public Utilities Commission. … “
Continue reading from the Monterey County Herald by clicking here.
Monterey: Collins hit with new charges; Witness interference alleged; mediation on track
Posted by: Maven on December 21, 2011 at 7:27 amFrom the Monterey County Herald:
“Charges of attempting to interfere with a witness were added to the case against former county water board member Steve Collins.
In the meantime, a mediation-produced settlement aimed at salvaging the Regional Desalination Project — stalled in part by the charges against Collins — appears to be under consideration.
On Friday, Collins was arraigned on an amended complaint that included three additional charges alleging he tried to get a witness not to cooperate in the case against him involving Castroville artichoke grower Ocean Mist Farms. … “
Continue reading from the Monterey County Herald by clicking here.
PUC group takes queries to Cal Am; Ratepayer advocates question status of mediation, project
Posted by: Maven on December 16, 2011 at 7:46 amFrom the Monterey County Herald:
“The state Public Utilities Commission ratepayer advocacy organization has questions about the $400million Regional Desalination Project that has been stalled in mediation the past few months. And they’re going to California American Water for the answers.
In a formal request submitted Monday, Max Gomberg, the PUC’s Division of Ratepayer Advocates project coordinator, asked Cal Am to provide answers to more than a dozen questions related to the status of the mediation and the desalination project.
Cal Am has until Wednesday to respond. … “
Continue reading from the Monterey County Herald by clicking here.
Cambria desalination plan dealt a blow; California Coastal Commission rules against testing at the mouth of Santa Rosa Creek
Posted by: Maven on December 16, 2011 at 7:37 amFrom the San Luis Obispo Tribune:
“An Army Corps of Engineers’ project to test the soil and sample water near the mouth of Santa Rosa Creek is not consistent with the state’s rules and goals for the habitat and coastline there, the California Coastal Commission ruled during a hearing Dec. 9.
Whether that unanimous decision will be a death knell for the proposed tests there — and ultimately for intake and outfall facilities for a Cambria Community Services District desalination plant — is yet to be determined.
Such a plant would be located elsewhere, off the beach. … “
Continue reading from the San Luis Obispo Tribune by clicking here.
Santa Ana Water Board member’s recusal from desalination hearing explained
Posted by: Maven on December 15, 2011 at 8:01 amFrom the Voice of the OC:
“Officials with the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board say board member Linda Ackerman didn’t participate in a permit hearing Dec. 9 because of a possible perception of bias due to her position at two regional water agencies that have supported the project.
Ackerman recused herself from a hearing on a pollutant discharge permit for Poseidon Resources’ proposed Huntington Beach desalination facility, though she didn’t publicly explain why.
“My understanding is that it was based on potential bias related to the project, given that she is on the Metropolitan Water District board,” said Kurt Berchtold, the executive officer of the regional water board. MWD sent a letter supporting the project. … “
Continue reading from the Voice of the OC by clicking here.
California approves bond issue for Carlsbad desalination
Posted by: Maven on December 13, 2011 at 6:00 amFrom Desalination and Water Reuse:
“Poseidon Resources has submitted and had approved an application for US$ 780 million in tax-exempt bonds for the Carlsbad seawater desalination project.
The Private Activity Bonds (PABs) are issued on Poseidon’s behalf by the California Pollution Control Financing Authority (CPCFA) and were approved in October 2011. … “
Continue reading from Desalination and Water Reuse by clicking here.
Vote delayed on permit for proposed Huntington Beach desalination plant
Posted by: Maven on December 12, 2011 at 8:06 amFrom the Voice of OC:
“The Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board has postponed until February a decision on whether to approve a permit that would allow Poseidon Resources’ proposed Huntington Beach desalination plant to draw water directly from the ocean.
Before postponing the vote, the board heard from 23 elected officials, company executives, environmentalists, and others about the proposed plant, which would be the largest desalination facility in the Western Hemisphere.
“This desalination facility will provide 50 million gallons of fresh drinking water per day, which is essential for the economic growth of Orange County,” said Ronnie Guyer, a representative of state Assemblyman Jim Silva (R-Huntington Beach). “It is clear that this project will not create any significant environmental impact,” he added. … “
Continue reading from the Voice of OC by clicking here.
NC Times blog: Carlsbad desalination project cost keeps rising
Posted by: Maven on December 10, 2011 at 8:08 amFrom the North County Times blog, this post by reporter Bradley J. Fikes:
“How much will the Carlsbad desalination project by Poseidon Resources cost? It could be close to a billion dollars, a number that can be inferred by the company’s latest request to sell tax-exempt bonds through the state.
Poseidon has asked to sell up to $780 million of the bonds, which I point out in my accompanying story.
I came across the bond information in a very modern way, via Facebook. A post there linked to a Forbes article by water policy specialist Peter Gleick, a longtime foe of the Poseidon project. … “
Continue reading this blog post at the North County Times by clicking here.
Poseidon asks to sell up to $780M in tax-exempt state bonds
Posted by: Maven on December 9, 2011 at 8:34 amFrom the North County Times:
“Poseidon Resources, developer of a desalination plant in Carlsbad, is asking the state to approve a sale of up to $780 million in tax-free bonds to help finance its construction —- $250 million more than its original request two years ago.
Poseidon’s request received initial approval Oct. 25 by the California Pollution Control Financing Authority, spokesman Tom Dresslar said Thursday. However, final approval can’t be granted until Poseidon concludes a water purchase agreement with the San Diego County Water Authority.
“That water purchase agreement is vital to the viability of those bonds,” Dresslar said. … “
Continue reading from the North County Times by clicking here.
Ecology Law Quarterly: Seawater desalination: Climate change adaptation strategy or contributor?
Posted by: Maven on December 8, 2011 at 8:11 amFrom Ecology Law Quarterly:
“While droughts and water supply challenges have plagued California for decades, climate change will increase the strain on California’s water management system.[1]
Seawater desalination—the process of removing salt and other minerals from seawater—is often hailed as the solution to the state’s water supply challenges.[2] However, proposals to build seawater desalination plants, which demand enormous quantities of energy, could be a shortsighted fix that will ultimately exacerbate climate change due to corresponding greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
This article explores seawater desalination and alternative strategies for California to adapt to climate change, and concludes that an effective adaptation approach will require strategies to reduce GHG emissions. … “
Read the article from Ecology Law Quarterly by clicking here.
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