Water Quality & Conservation

Hydropower Shocks

Hydropower, even with its diminished profile, is important to California's energy mix as a quick, reliable and inexpensive source of electricity — a buffer during moments of peak demand. A reduced supply from dams forces the grid operator to turn to more expensive sources of power, such as natural gas, which also enlarges the state's

By |2015-05-27T15:28:01-07:00May 27th, 2015|Energy, Water Quality & Conservation|

Dousing Dust Difficult

The contractor demolishing Candlestick Park temporarily halted work on the project Friday amid an uproar over its use of millions of gallons of drinking water to douse the dust from the massive rubble during California's punishing drought. But it now appears public health regulations limit Lennar Corp. in its ability to use recycled water instead

By |2015-05-27T15:23:21-07:00May 27th, 2015|Water Quality & Conservation|

Ag Workers Increase Despite Drought

Despite the drought, the number of workers employed in California’s agricultural industry rose to its highest level in at least 24 years, as many farmers shifted toward labor-intensive, permanent crops, according to the latest state and federal statistics. The employment figures paint a more complicated picture than the message from some state officials and agricultural

By |2015-05-27T15:20:54-07:00May 27th, 2015|Agriculture, Economy & Jobs, Water Quality & Conservation|

“Push Pause Button On Wells?” Senator Asks

Mark Cowin, director of the state Department of Water Resources, and his colleagues sat before lawmakers and took turns delivering a series of sobering facts and figures about the state's persistent drought: The mountain snowpack was dismal; conservation is falling far short of Gov. Jerry Brown's 25% mandate; officials are curtailing water rights. One fact in

By |2015-05-27T14:34:30-07:00May 27th, 2015|Water Quality & Conservation|

Congress Remains Stymied Over California Drought Bill

Five months into a new Congress, and deep into a lasting drought, California water legislation still stymies and splits the state’s lawmakers. Draft copies are tightly held, as if stamped Top Secret. Myriad details are in flux. The legislative timing, though a June 2 Senate hearing could yet happen, remains unsettled. Democrats are divided; some

By |2015-05-27T14:32:18-07:00May 27th, 2015|People and Politics, Water Quality & Conservation|

Republicans Criticize Brown’s Drought Response

Recognizing a rare liability for the majority party, Republicans have begun more aggressively criticizing Democrats for their management of the crisis. In recent weeks, Republicans have pressed the Brown administration and Democratic lawmakers to approve more water storage facilities, while excoriating Democrats and their environmentalist allies for reduced water deliveries to protect endangered fish. Senate

“First Time in History”: Zero Water to Farmers from Fresno Irrigation District

For the first time in nearly a century, farmers who normally receive canal water from the Fresno Irrigation District will get no regular deliveries this year. Fresno Irrigation general manager Gary Serrato said Thursday that the board decided to make only minimal water available for groundwater-recharge uses because its entitlement from the Kings River will

By |2015-05-20T18:54:50-07:00May 20th, 2015|Agriculture, Water Quality & Conservation|

Colorado River Water Shortage Looms

California’s drought emergency woes have worsened, with a shortage on the Colorado River next year becoming increasingly likely. Odds of a shortage rose from 33 percent to 50 percent from April 1 to May 1, Metropolitan Water District, Southern California’s largest water wholesaler, said Monday. http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2015/may/11/colorado-river-shortage-even-chance/

By |2015-05-20T18:50:18-07:00May 20th, 2015|Water Quality & Conservation|
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