April 27, 2009

Report calls for bold action on climate change
The recent report “Resilient Coasts:  A Blueprint for Action,” published by the Heinz Center and CERES, sends a signal related to the business case to plan for and adapt to the effects of climate change. For years cities, counties and public utilities have struggled with institutionally separate decision-making practices where land use and water supply are often de-coupled. But the data is clear that the two political worlds of water utilities and land use approvals are essential to charting a responsible course, especially for coastal environments.  One simple metric in the report illustrates it:

“In the Gulf Coast, a 2 to 4 foot rise in sea level would put 27 percent of major roads, 9 percent of rail lines and 72 percent of ports at or below 4 feet of elevation at risk, in spite of protective infrastructure such as dikes and levees.”

April 24, 2009

Science of climate shifts
An interactive map assembled by MSNBC explores where climate change is having significantly local impacts, and potentially global ones. Click on the image to launch the stories and multimedia.

April 23, 2009

Study: Rivers receding due to climate change
Rivers in some of the world's most populated areas are losing water, according to a new study of global stream flows.

You can download the river study here.

April 21, 2009

Colorado River crisis is nothing new
The recent Scripps Institute of Oceanography study appearing in the Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences predicts that "warming could spur water crisis" with the Colorado River water supplies. Newsflash to Arizona Republic reporter Shaun McKinnon (who wrote about the study here): That system has been in crisis ever since the Supreme Court stepped onto the scene in the mid 1960s. Even more interesting is the retort from several "non-believers" who say it’s just a model and not a crisis.

If you live in southern California and especially in San Diego — the proverbial end of the pipeline — any more stress on this system that has been plagued with water wars for decades can signal concern and dismay.

Thoughtfully, Brad Udall of the Western Water Assessment is suggesting that now is the time to act. As some see the natural system based carrying capacity forces sending signals to contract, it appears that Udall is suggesting we need to look at this challenge differently, seek alternative approaches, and be proactive. Huzzah to that!

April 20, 2009

Proposed greenhouse gas regulations unclear
On Friday the Environmental Protection Agency declared greenhouse gases to be a health threat. This finding is a requirement for EPA under the Clean Air Act if the agency is to regulate greenhouse gases. Although the finding is proposed and subject to public comment, I wouldn't expect much in the way of negative comments. In fact, EPA has gone ahead with the first set of GHG regulations.

On April 16 the EPA held a public hearing in Sacramento on their first set of proposed GHG regulations. The regulations cover mandatory annual reporting of GHG emissions and would generally cover any facility that emits greater than 25,000 metric tons of CO2e. These proposed regulations are similar to the first of California's regulations under AB32. They do have some differences, so much so that the California Air Resource Board had some significant comments. The comment that CARB chose to dwell on at the hearing is whether third-party verification should be required of all inventories.

EPA proposes to treat GHG inventories in the same manner they treat other air pollutant inventories, in that the inventories are prepared by the facility and submitted to the regulatory agency. The agency then uses its enforcement authority to conduct audits of inventories. The problem with this approach is not in concept, but in practice. Detailed inventory audits seldom are performed by either EPA or the local agency, except perhaps in the South Coast Air Quality Management District (Los Angeles), where such audits do occur annually. California believes that third-party verification is absolutely necessary. However, I doubt if they would have thought about third-party verifications except that Europe uses them. Third party-verification for facilities of this size would probably add about $10,000 per year to the cost of the process. The larger impact, however, would be in the level of attention that is paid to the inventory. To satisfy the verification party, a level of detail must be provided that is unheard of with regard to other pollutants. I suspect that, in this area, the two sets of regulations will ultimately remain different.

Many areas of the proposed regulations are unclear. One of those is whether municipal wastewater treatment plants are covered. In some places it appears they are exempt and in some it appears they are covered. Another area of disagreement between California and EPA has to do with emissions from digesters. California counts them in their inventory, but EPA would not necessarily count them.This is just one of many issues that will have to be addressed at some point in the rule development or implementation.

April 17, 2009

'California at the Tipping Point'
PBS station KQED takes an in-depth look at the science behind climate change and how it is affecting California in both dramatic and subtle ways.

April 16, 2009

Water investment slowing to a drip
Water scarcity means big growth for companies that purify, transport, and distribute the world's most essential resource, but a global recession that has halted new projects and put off price hikes means water investors will have to wait for the boom years, according to Reuters.

Water, cheap and indispensable, has long been prized as a stable investment in both good and bad times.

But as the population grows, urbanization tightens access to clean water and climate change promises more droughts, calls to upgrade the nation's crumbling infrastructure have mounted, and companies that make pipes, filters and other products that help manage water supplies have taken on a new shine as growth vehicles.

April 15, 2009

$260 million to help California water
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar visited California earlier today to announce $260 million in stimulus funds to help California cope with drought and water uncertainties. The Los Angeles Times breaks down the highlights of the package, which include:

$40 million for emergency drought relief in the West, focused on California;
$109.8 million to build a screened pumping plant at the Red Bluff Diversion Dam;
$22.3 million to address dam safety concerns at the Folsom Dam near Sacramento;
$8.5 million to repair water-related infrastructure at Folsom Dam;
$20 million for Contra Costa Canal to protect water supplies and build fish screens;
$4.5 million to restore the Trinity River;
$26 million for Battle Creek Salmon/Steelhead Restoration project;
$4 million to the Bay Delta Conservation Plan for conveyance systems;
$4 million to broaden scientific knowledge of Klamath River sedimentation;
$20.7 million in smaller water infrastructure and related projects

During the news conference Rep. Grace Napolitano, D-Santa Fe Springs, mentioned HR146 with its 30 separate water bills and Title 16 programs and noted the need to focus on climate change. She pointed out recycled water will increase 5,000 AF with projects, especially in southern California. She also highlighted hydro, drinking water and wastewater projects.

Rep. Doris Matsui, D-Sacramento, said the reality is Sacramento will have to deal with more rain but less snowpack, adding that DWR estimates a 25 percent to 40 precent reduction in snowpack.

MWD approves cuts to water supply
They say in southern California that how MWD goes, so goes the region. The Metropolitan Water District on Tuesday approved a 10 percent cut in water supply availability effective July 1 – concurrent with summer peak use and a rate increase of 19.8 percent effective in September concurrent with fall plantings.  Retail suppliers and customers of MWD will no doubt have to cut back – some less than 10 percent, some greater, depending on the percentage of MWD supplied water. Looks like it’s time for drought preparedness and conservation measures to be kicked up a notch or two.

Related story:
‘The era of big lawns is over,’ San Diego County Water Authority official says