From U-T San Diego, in a commentary by Keith Johnson:
“Among all the terrible things that California’s historic
drought promises to bring this year — fallow farm land, dead
livestock, more wildfires — there are a couple more nasty
treats in store: higher electricity prices and rising
greenhouse-gas emissions.
“That’s because the drought is hammering California’s ability
to generate electricity from hydroelectric power …”
“Never mind the restrictions on watering your lawn. The drought
is drying up California’s supply of hydroelectricity, prompting
SMUD and other utilities around the state to scramble.”
“The Oakdale and South San Joaquin irrigation districts plan to
start selling their hydropower to the city of Santa Clara under a
10-year contract that could mean a big boost in income.”
From the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA):
“The House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power held
a hearing Thursday entitled “Keeping Hydropower Affordable and
Reliable: The Protection of Existing Hydropower Investments and
the Promotion of New Development.”
“A proposed deal for a Southern California city to purchase
hydroelectric power from a Lake Nacimiento plant has evaporated,
leaving Monterey County water officials looking for a backup
plan.”
From the Association of California Water Agencies:
“Two bills that would streamline regulations for small hydropower
projects were passed through unanimous consent by the U.S. Senate
on Thursday, Aug. 1, and are awaiting President Obama’s
signature.”
“A giant energy project that would turn an abandoned open pit
mine near Joshua Tree National Park into two hydroelectric
storage reservoirs got a thumbs-up from California’s main water
quality agency this week.”
From the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA):
“Southern California’s energy supply is expected to be tight
for at least the next few years due to the permanent closure of
the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station, so alternative
energy sources could be at a premium in the region.
“San Diego already is looking ahead at a possible solution.
From the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA):
“The House Water and Power Subcommittee held a hearing on June 26
focusing on hydropower projects, titled ‘The Power Marketing
Administrations: A Ratepayer’s Perspective.’”
