News
Associated Press – April 27
Associated Press – April 27The unprecedented move by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD), to require that 6 million people reduce their outdoor watering to just one day per week, as California continues to suffer from drought, was taken on Tuesday. MWD’s board declared a state of emergency in water supply and asked cities and water agencies that it supplies to implement the cutbacks on June 1 or face severe fines. MWD uses water from the Colorado River and the State Water Project to supply 26 public water agencies, which then provide that water to 40% of the state’s population.
The Orange County Register – April 25
Poseidon Water’s controversial, long-running effort to convert the ocean off Huntington Beach to tap water for large parts of Orange County was dealt a fatal blow Monday by staff from the California Coastal Commission. They released a report stating that the project should not proceed. Staff recommended that the commissioners reject construction of the plant at the May 12 public hearing. This was due to a number of economic and social factors. Despite the staff recommendation, it is possible that the Commission will still approve this project.
The Fresno Bee – April 26
Monday’s State Assembly Natural Resources Committee moved forward a California bill that would provide new oversight over the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District. Assembly Bill 2550 would mandate that the California Air Resources Board, (CARB), be able to intervene at the local level to establish new air pollution regulations in industries like agriculture, oil refining, and manufacturing, particularly in areas where local regulators are not meeting clean air standards. The bill states that CARB could inspect the Valley’s most prolific oil refineries or glass-melting furnaces. In addition, local community-based organizations and CARB would collaborate to identify new pollution control methods.
The Almanac – April 23
San Mateo County and nine cities and towns filed a lawsuit in San Mateo Superior Court last Thursday against Monsanto Company’s successor and others to recover costs associated with addressing contamination from polychlorinated Biphenyls (also known as PCBs). Monsanto, which is a carcinogenic organic chlor compound, is accused of creating nuisance conditions in the county by its promotion and production of PCBs. According to the County, PCBs are harming wildlife and disrupting business and recreation. They also threaten the health of residents.
CNBC – April 25
Monday’s decision by the Biden administration reversed a Trump administration plan which would have allowed the government lease more than two thirds of the largest area of public land in the country for oil and gas drilling. The Bureau of Land Management has announced a new decision that will limit the land available for lease in Alaska’s National Petroleum Reserve. This reserve is home to wildlife such as polar bears and caribou. This decision is in line with an Obama administration plan that allows fossil fuel extraction in up to 52%.
Ventura County Star – April 22
The California Fish and Wildlife Commission voted unanimously last Thursday to grant a year-long protection under the state’s Endangered Species Act for the native Southern California steelhead as state officials review whether the fish merits a state listing as “endangered” or “threatened” with extinction. The state listing could expand the protections that the fish have enjoyed since 1997 when it was federally endangered. Ventura County water agencies and others have stated that such protection could cause delays in projects and possibly limit water supplies. To allow these agencies and others to discuss possible exemptions under state regulations, commissioners delayed a February decision.
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