Water/Drought

Occupy-style rhetoric used to frame CA drought

Gov. Jerry Brown’s announcement of mandatory water cutbacks led to news coverage of the disparities in water usage between very rich neighborhoods and everywhere else. In San Diego, this instantly prompted angry comments on social media about Rancho Santa Fe,

CA may use Prop. 1 water bond to buy enviro water during drought

Wayne Lusvardi April 30, 2015

In the midst of a grueling four-year drought in agriculture, state officials say some $287.5 million in borrowed cash is available to purchase water for smelt and salmon runs and other wildlife. The funds come from California’s $7.5 billion Proposition

VIDEO: Republicans can be environmentalists, too

CalWatchdog Staff April 29, 2015

In a conversation with CalWatchdog.com Editor Brian Calle, San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer discusses the importance of preserving the environment and why it should not be a partisan issue. During the interview, Mayor Faulconer highlights the environment as our quality

Drought measures straddle CA-NV border

James Poulos April 27, 2015

As Sierra Nevada snowpack hit record lows, Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval unveiled a new drought commission, revealing that California’s extended water crisis had begun to alter political considerations across the border. But Sandoval sought to temper worries with his announcement, according to the Las

Giant desal plant planned for Camp Pendleton

Chris Reed April 26, 2015

The dramatic announcement by Gov. Jerry Brown earlier this month of a 25 percent cut in water use across much of California triggered harsh commentary in the state and across the nation over the lack of preparation by government agencies

Brown dumps green regulations to push water tunnel plan

James Poulos April 24, 2015

Gov. Jerry Brown’s administration has decided to scrap a key environmental commitment and forge ahead with a controversial, costly plan to build two massive water tunnels under California’s San Joaquin River Delta region. The unpalatable choice underscored both Brown’s resolve to

VIDEO: San Diego mayor discusses drought alleviation

CALWATCHDOG STAFF April 23, 2015

San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer sits down with CalWatchdog.com Editor Brian Calle to discuss how San Diego is addressing the severe water shortage in the state. Focusing on recycled water, desalination and conservation, Mayor Faulconer outlines a plan he says

Water board unveils steep CA cuts

James Poulos April 22, 2015

As a closely-watched court ruling threw California’s tiered water pricing system into disarray, the Water Resources Control board made public its latest and harshest conservation targets for municipalities across the Golden State. Detailing the plan, MarketWatch reported that “Angelenos must

Can tiered water rates be used to encourage conservation?

Wayne Lusvardi April 22, 2015

A media firestorm erupted Monday, April 20, over Gov. Brown’s opposition to a State Court of Appeals decision in a water rate setting case involving Proposition 218. The initiative, passed in 1996, requires voter approval for any new property-related utility

Court strikes down tiered water pricing in San Juan Capistrano

Joel Fox April 22, 2015

San Juan Capistrano’s water fee usage plan ran afoul of Proposition 218’s taxpayer shield to protect taxpayers from being charged taxes disguised as fees and assessments. The goal of the tiered water plan was designed as a financial punishment for