Energy & Water

Overview April 24, 2014

Energy & Water

Aquafornia news September 21, 2018 Water Deeply

Commentary: Hoover Dam as giant battery? The hurdles are more legal than technical.

Los Angeles is looking into whether it should spend an estimated $3 billion on a massive, 20-mile underground pumped hydropower storage system that would be connected to the iconic Hoover Dam on the Colorado River outside of Las Vegas. If it does get built, this system would essentially serve as a giant battery to store power.

Aquafornia news September 12, 2018 Los Angeles Times

Pipeline firm found guilty of criminal charges in Santa Barbara oil spill

A Houston-based pipeline firm has been found guilty of criminal charges that it knowingly caused or should have known it was causing a catastrophic oil spill off Refugio State Beach in Santa Barbara County in 2015, killing marine mammals and sea life.

Aquafornia news September 10, 2018 Los Angeles Times

Monday’s Top of the Scroll: Gov. Brown signs bills to block Trump’s offshore oil drilling plan

Gov. Jerry Brown on Saturday signed two bills that would block new offshore oil drilling in California by barring the construction of pipelines, piers, wharves or other infrastructure necessary to transport the oil and gas from federal waters to state land.

Aquafornia news July 7, 2014

Commentary: Beautiful River, Growing Thirst, Looming Battle Over Eel River

From The Sacramento Bee, in a commentary by Susan Sward:

In the third-largest watershed in California, the Eel River rambles through some of the state’s most stunning landscape. …

In about three years, though, a federal commission will begin reviewing an application by Pacific Gas & Electric Co. to re-license its Potter Valley Project.

Aquafornia news June 26, 2014 California Department of Water Resources (DWR)

DWR California Water Plan eNews

From the California Department of Water Resources (DWR):

This week’s Water Plan eNews includes:
Draft guidelines released for water and energy grant program

Energy department explores the connection between water and energy systems

ACWA drought report says California can’t hesitate in taking action

Aquafornia news June 25, 2014 Los Angeles Times

Power Lines Caused 30,000-acre Powerhouse Fire, U.S. Officials Say

From the Los Angeles Times:

A wildfire that scorched more than 30,000 acres in Santa Clarita last year was caused by electrical power lines, federal officials said Monday.

Aquafornia news June 20, 2014 California Department of Water Resources (DWR)

News Release: DWR Releases 2014 Water-Energy Grant Program

From the California Department of Water Resources (DWR):

The California Department of Water Resources has announced the release of the Draft Guidelines and Proposal Solicitation Package for the 2014 Water-Energy grant program. Total funding for the program is $19 million. The Water-Energy Program was established on March 1, 2014 when the Governor approved the appropriation of funds from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund.

Aquafornia news June 11, 2014 U.S. Department of the Interior

News Release: Interior Announces Nearly $20 Million in WaterSMART Funding for Water and Energy Efficiency Projects and River Basin Studies at Western Governors’ Annual Meeting

From the U.S. Department of the Interior:

“Addressing the Western Governors’ Association today [June 9], Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell announced that the Bureau of Reclamation will make $17.8 million in water and energy efficiency grants available to 36 projects in the western United States and will provide $1.8 million for three river basin studies—for a total of $19.6 million in Federal funding.”

Aquafornia news June 3, 2014 San Jose Mercury News

Historic EPA Global Warming Rules: How Will They Affect California?

From the San Jose Mercury News:

“The Obama administration’s announcement Monday of sweeping new rules aimed at curbing global warming emissions from power plants could boost profits at Silicon Valley companies that make solar panels, energy efficiency software and other clean technology.”

Aquafornia news June 3, 2014 U.S. Department of the Interior

News Release: Secretary Jewell Statement on EPA Clean Power Plan Proposal

From the U.S. Department of the Interior:

“Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell today [June 2] released the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued the Clean Power Plan proposal:

“’The President understands that we have a moral obligation to future generations to leave our land, water, and wildlife better than we found it.’”

Aquafornia news April 9, 2014 Modesto Bee

MID, TID Boards Vote to File Don Pedro License Application

From The Modesto Bee:

“The Modesto and Turlock irrigation districts took a key step Tuesday morning toward using Don Pedro Reservoir for perhaps another half-century.”

MID, TID Consider Next Step on Relicensing of Don Pedro Reservoir

From The Modesto Bee:

“The Modesto and Turlock irrigation districts could take another step Tuesday morning toward a new federal license for Don Pedro Reservoir.”

Legal Alert: CPUC Issues Decision to Protect Solar Customers for 20 Years

From Best Best & Krieger LLP:

“The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) recently ruled to protect all existing solar, biogas and wind customers under their current net-energy metering (NEM) contracts for a 20-year grandfathering period.

Aquafornia news March 3, 2014

Commentary: Water Conservation’s Other Benefit: It’s a Power Saver

From the Los Angeles Times, in a commentary by Catherine Wolfram and David Zetland:

“Our conservation efforts, even the tiniest ones, have a second overlooked benefit: They also save energy. Water is essentially liquid energy. We don’t think about it that way. But every drop must be moved, treated and heated. Each step takes energy.”

New Sonoma Utility Promises Cleaner, Cheaper Power

From the San Francisco Chronicle:

“On Thursday, the governing board of Sonoma’s new public power agency plans to set rates for its electricity service, which will begin in May. Most customers will save money, compared to what they currently pay Pacific Gas and Electric Co.”

Aquafornia news December 31, 2013 [Marysville] Appeal-Democrat

Yuba County Water Agency Bids to Renew License

From the [Marysville] Appeal-Democrat:

“The Yuba County Water Agency is filing to renew its operating license with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for the first time since the agency’s creation almost 50 years ago, and it will dictate how the YCWA will run the Yuba River Development Project for the next 50 years.”

Conservation Groups Decry Lack of Protection for Fish

From the [Marysville] Appeal-Democrat:

“While some groups are excited about the what the Yuba County Water Agency’s FERC relicensing applications contains, other groups are lamenting what is missing — namely, provisions that address removing barriers to native spawning habitat for endangered fish.”

What Water Can Learn from Energy Sector’s Efficiency Programs

From the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA):

“This week [Dec.

Aquafornia news December 20, 2013 Santa Rosa Press Democrat

Sonoma Clean Power Projects Rates that Beat PG&E’s

From the Santa Rosa Press Democrat:

“Customers enrolled next year with Sonoma County’s startup public power agency could see some savings on their electricity compared to rates proposed by PG&E for 2014. …

“The public venture is seeking to displace Pacific Gas and Electric Co.

Aquafornia news December 19, 2013 Pacific Institute

News Release: Energizing Water Efficiency — California Energy Sector Experiences Can Advance State’s Water Conservation and Efficiency

From the Pacific Institute:

“As a dry December accentuates the stress on California’s limited water supplies, the success of the state’s energy sector in implementing efficiency programs offers valuable lessons to the water sector. A new report from the Pacific Institute examines the rules, regulations, and policies that promote energy efficiency and finds models for water management in drivers like the energy sector’s appliance standards, building codes, pricing policies, and utility-sponsored efficiency programs.

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