State Power Supply Should Meet Summer Demand, Officials Say

Posted by: Aquafornia on May 7, 2013 at 8:57 am

From Fox News:

The agency that coordinates California’s energy supply said Monday the state should have adequate amounts of power on hand this summer, though with some risk in San Diego and southern Orange counties due to the ongoing outage of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station.

California Solar Energy Industry’s Future Cloudy

Posted by: Aquafornia on May 6, 2013 at 8:49 am

From the Palm Desert Sun:

Later this year, two large-scale solar plants now rising on public land east of the Coachella Valley will pump their first power onto the grid, as part of a massive influx of renewable power coming online across California.

At NextEra Energy’s 250-megawatt Genesis plant, about 75 miles east of Indio, rows of huge parabolic solar troughs — reflecting mirrors 20 feet tall and many times more powerful than your typical bathroom looking glass — are being tested in advance of their scheduled November start-up.

California Cities Snub Fossil Fuels, Nuclear Power

Posted by: Aquafornia on April 25, 2013 at 8:49 am

From KCET:

California’s leading cities are sending messages to the energy industry powers-that-be on Tuesday, and that message is “we want change.” On Tuesday, the Los Angeles City Council finalized a much-lauded agreement to wean the city’s Department of Water and Power (LADWP) off coal-fired electricity, and went on to oppose reopening of the San Onofre nuclear power plant. On that same day, San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors passed a resolution urging the city’s pension fund managers to sell off their interests in fossil fuel companies.

San Francisco, with its consolidated city and county government, has a county Board of Supervisors running municipal affairs in place of the usual City Council

California Power Facing Biggest Test Since Enron: Energy Markets

Posted by: Aquafornia on April 19, 2013 at 8:58 am

From Bloomberg:

California may face the biggest regional power shortages in more than a decade this summer, sending wholesale prices higher, as idled nuclear reactors and low hydroelectric output cut generating capacity.

The California Independent System Operator Corp. said last month that managing the state grid, especially in parts of Southern California, will prove “difficult” because the system will be operating without Edison International (EIX)’s San Onofre nuclear power plant and two natural gas-fired units, while hydroelectric output will be at a three-year low.

Sequester Will Force Universities To Scale Back Scientific Research

Posted by: Aquafornia on April 3, 2013 at 8:45 am

From Stateline:

Researchers and university officials worry the lost funding will slow or halt research on everything from cancer treatments to contaminated soil and water. They also fear it will dissuade young scholars from pursuing scientific careers.

Pavley Adds Provisions to Fracking Bill

Posted by: Aquafornia on March 12, 2013 at 8:43 am

From the Santa Clarita Valley News:

Sen. Fran Pavley, D-Agoura Hills, today announced several key amendments to her bill to regulate the practice of hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” for oil and gas within California.

The changes come in the wake of extensive input from stakeholder groups and the public, as well as analysis of other states’ policies.

First Carbon Offset Projects To Be Reviewed By Air Resources Board

Posted by: Aquafornia on March 11, 2013 at 8:53 am

From Capital Public Radio:

The California Air Resources Board says it’s reviewing the first twenty five projects submitted that promised to offset greenhouse gas emissions. If approved, the businesses can earn credits under the state’s Cap-and-Trade Program.

Most of the projects either used manure from dairy farms in biodigesters or eradicate ozone-depleting chemicals. If the 25 projects performed as promised, they would eliminate three million tons of carbon.

Oil Group Pushes For Separate Fracking Rules

Posted by: Aquafornia on March 8, 2013 at 8:54 am

From the Bakersfield Californian:

Oil producers in western Kern County could escape some proposed fracking regulations under an industry plan that has drawn a skeptical response from environmentalists.

A trade group is talking with state lawmakers about drawing a distinction between modern hydraulic fracturing in highly populated areas and the kind of less-intensive fracking that has gone on for decades in western Kern.

The proposal, still in exploratory stages, is based on the idea that places like the Belridge area have only undrinkable groundwater and no nearby residents or commercial farming.

March 8, 2013 · Filed Under Energy & Water, Groundwater, Legislation - State & Federal, Politics of Water

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Fracking Data Added to State Board’s Online Groundwater Information System

Posted by: Aquafornia on March 8, 2013 at 8:53 am

From the Association of California Water Agencies:

The State Water Resources Control Board has added data on hydraulically fractured oil and gas wells to its online GeoTracker GAMA groundwater information system.

The data on fracking at production wells comes from the California Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources (DOGGR), according to a State Board announcement.

Second Fracking Workshop Set for Bakersfield

Posted by: Aquafornia on March 8, 2013 at 8:50 am

From the Santa Ynez Valley News:

The public will have another opportunity to comment on a “discussion draft” of California’s hydraulic fracturing regulations March 13 in Bakersfield as the Department of Conservation and its Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources hosts the second of its workshops.

The event is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Four Points Sheraton, 5105 California Avenue in Bakersfield.

March 8, 2013 · Filed Under Central Valley, Energy & Water, Groundwater

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Obama Picks Air Quality Expert to Lead U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Posted by: Aquafornia on March 5, 2013 at 8:59 am

From the Association of California Water Agencies:

President Obama hasnominated EPA assistant administrator Gina McCarthy to lead the agency.

Pending Senate confirmation, McCarthy, the top administrator of the EPA Office of Air and Radiation, would replace Lisa Jackson, who announced her departure at the end of 2012. Obama said during a news conference Monday that during her time at EPA, McCarthy “has focused on practical, cost-effective ways to keep our air clean and our economy growing.”

Commentary: More reasons for a strong BLM fracking rule; Three California drinking water sources at risk

Posted by: Aquafornia on March 5, 2013 at 8:47 am

From the Natural Resources Defense Council Switchboard Blog:

The BLM [[is expected] to soon issue a new draft rule for fracking that takes place under federal oil and gas leases. A reporter published a leaked copy of the new draft rule, and my colleagues Briana Mordick and Matt McFeeley have blogged about this leaked draft–which in several important ways is much weaker than the previous draft. This is a huge disappointment when the rule needed to be strengthened in order to help protect drinking water from fracking, not weakened.

Gov. Jerry Brown Works to Spread California’s Green Doctrine

Posted by: Aquafornia on March 4, 2013 at 8:52 am

From the Los Angeles Times:

When Gov. Jerry Brown called on his fellow governors at a conference in Washington last week to embrace a California-style pursuit of cleaner air, he was doing more than reinforcing the state’s image as an environmental trailblazer. He was trying to protect its economy.

Brown needs other states and the federal government to adopt key elements of California’s environmental agenda, such as reaping more energy from renewable sources and capping greenhouse gas emissions, if those programs are to be successful here.

Commentary: The Energy Revolution California Should Join

Posted by: Aquafornia on March 4, 2013 at 8:50 am

From the San Diego Union Tribune:

Dramatic technological breakthroughs have radically reshaped the energy industry. Will California allow its massive oil and natural gas resources to be developed? Or will the Golden State allow itself

March 4, 2013 · Filed Under Energy & Water

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Butte Environmental Council and Other Groups Raise Concerns Over Proposed California Fracking Regulations

Posted by: Aquafornia on March 1, 2013 at 8:44 am

From the Gridley Herald:

The Butte Environmental Council has submitted comments on the California Department of Conservation’s proposed regulations for statewide hydraulic fracturing. BEC’s letter cites 10 points of concern with the presented regulations.

MCWD says Casa Diablo Plans Could Hurt Mammoth Water Supply

Posted by: Aquafornia on February 27, 2013 at 8:40 am

From the Sierra Wave:

Mammoth Community Water District officials say that the proposed Casa Diablo Geothermal plant expansion could harm both groundwater and surface water resources used to serve the community of Mammoth Lakes.

Casa Diablo Geothermal officials have gone through the environmental investigation of their expansion plans and Mammoth’s Water District has responded.

Catching Up With Michael Picker, Governor’s Energy Czar

Posted by: Aquafornia on February 27, 2013 at 8:38 am

From the Sacramento News and Review:

[Michael Picker] is Gov. Jerry Brown’s point person for growing the world of nonfossil-fuel-fired electricity, and for ensuring that 33 percent of the electricity powering California by 2020 comes from solar, wind and other alternative resources. This is no small feat.

February 27, 2013 · Filed Under Energy & Water, Politics of Water, Renewables

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San Lorenzo Valley Water District Eyes Cap-and-trade Program

Posted by: Aquafornia on February 26, 2013 at 8:46 am

From the Contra Costa Times via the Santa Cruz Sentinel:

Surveying will begin next month on about 1,600 acres of land in Boulder Creek, Zayante and Olympia to find out how much carbon those forests contain, with the San Lorenzo Valley Water District hoping to fetch a princely sum in the state’s newly launched cap-and-trade program.

Earlier this month, the district’s Board of Directors approved spending $45,000 on the “carbon sequestration” project, which will be headed by the Alameda-based forestry consulting firm Buena Vista Services.

February 26, 2013 · Filed Under Central Coast, Energy & Water, Water Agency News

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Senator Jackson and Assemblymember Williams Introduce Fracking Bills

Posted by: Aquafornia on February 26, 2013 at 8:42 am

From the Santa Barbara Independent:

Two Central Coast legislators have introduced bills to protect the drinking water supply and bring more regulation and oversight to the oil and gas extraction process known as hydraulic fracturing, or fracking.

February 26, 2013 · Filed Under Energy & Water, Legislation - State & Federal

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California’s Second Carbon Auction Gets Higher Price

Posted by: Aquafornia on February 25, 2013 at 8:40 am

From the Sacramento Bee:

California’s fledgling cap-and-trade carbon market is becoming more familiar to the companies that have to participate in it – and that’s showing up in the price they’re paying for the right to pollute.

The New Oil Landscape

Posted by: Aquafornia on February 22, 2013 at 8:44 am

From National Geographic:

The fracking frenzy in North Dakota has boosted the U.S. fuel supply—but at what cost?

The implications are already reverberating far beyond North Dakota. Bakken-like shale formations occur across the U.S., indeed, across the world. The extraction technology refined in the Bakken is in effect a skeleton key that can be used to open other fossil fuel treasure chests.

You’re not likely to hear anyone in the oil patch mention what’s ultimately at stake if we keep burning fossil fuels with abandon.

Fracking in California: Big Reserves, Big Reservations

Posted by: Aquafornia on February 20, 2013 at 8:55 am

From the Santa Rosa Press Democrat:

Shale exploitation in North Dakota has liftedincomes and brought unemployment down to 3.2 percent of the work force, the lowest level in the country. Californians are rarely found looking longingly toward the Midwest, but the revelation that this state, with unemployment at 9.8 percent and America’s highest poverty rate, may be sitting on the largest deposit of shale oil in the continental United States has led some to wonder if their salvation lies 10,000 feet beneath them.

February 20, 2013 · Filed Under Energy & Water

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Mistake in First California Carbon Auction Raises Questions About Secrecy

Posted by: Aquafornia on February 20, 2013 at 8:48 am

From KQED:

California’s cap-and-trade program to cut greenhouse gases resumed this week with its second auction of carbon allowances to industrial polluters. The market is being closely watched around the world, and billions of dollars are at stake. But some nagging questions are lingering from the first auction.

Controversial Hydrogen Power Plant Could Get Needed Approval This Year

Posted by: Aquafornia on February 19, 2013 at 8:54 am

From KGET:

A new hydrogen energy power plant could have all of the permits to break ground this year in Kern County. That’s the word from SCS Energy, which is backing the project.

But, some local farmers and environmentalists say, not so fast. They believe the plant would create more harm to our air and land than good.

Environmentalists Decry ‘Poor’ Notification of First Fracking Hearing in L.A.

Posted by: Aquafornia on February 19, 2013 at 8:53 am

From the Examiner:

In a letter to Governor Jerry Brown Jr.’s supervisor of oil and gas at California’s Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources (DOGGR), Kassie Siegel, director of the Climate Law Institute protested what she sees as a circumvention of the intent, if not the technical requirement, of California’s transparancy rules on public hearings.

Siegel’s organization was just one of a number of environmental groups who were disappointed in the state agency’s efforts to engage the public on the issue of fracking’s impact on California’s groundwater, aquifers, agriculture production and fragile coastline.

Commentary: Fracking Undermines California’s Future

Posted by: Aquafornia on February 15, 2013 at 8:42 am

From the San Francisco Chronicle:

A campaign by the oil and gas industry aims to persuade Californians that fracking – blasting water, toxic chemicals and sand into deep underground rock to extract oil and gas – will solve our state’s fiscal and energy challenges. However you don’t need to dig very deep to find that fracking will not secure our energy needs or grow our economy, but it will pollute our resources, worsen climate change and undermine efforts to build a clean energy economy.

February 15, 2013 · Filed Under Energy & Water

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Doubts Voiced on Fracking Oversight at California Hearing

Posted by: Aquafornia on February 13, 2013 at 8:51 am

From the Los Angeles Times:

State lawmakers voiced doubts Tuesday that the Brown administration’s proposal to regulate hydraulic fracturing is tough enough to protect public health and safety — and questioned whether the state’s oil regulators could be trusted to enforce it.

State senators convened a joint legislative hearing to review the draft regulations, which represent California’s first attempt to govern the controversial drilling process known as “fracking.”

Calif. Lawmakers Question Regulating Fracking

Posted by: Aquafornia on February 13, 2013 at 8:51 am

From the Salinas Californian:

California lawmakers are expressing doubts a Brown administration proposal to regulate hydraulic fracturing is tough enough and can be enforced by state oil regulators.

State senators convened a joint legislative hearing on Tuesday to review California’s first attempt to govern the drilling process known as fracking.

Santa Cruz County Supervisors Review Fracking Rules

Posted by: Aquafornia on February 13, 2013 at 8:50 am

From the Santa Cruz Sentinel:

The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors will consider Tuesday weighing in on proposed state regulation of hydraulic fracturing, the controversial oil and gas production technique known as fracking.

In a report to the board, staff says county rules also could be strengthened if fracking proposals appeared likely here.

Tuesday’s Top of the Scroll: Lawmakers To Hold Hearing on “Fracking” Regulations

Posted by: Aquafornia on February 12, 2013 at 9:00 am

From Capital Public Radio:

The controversial drilling technique known as hydraulic fracturing or “fracking” will be the subject of a joint legislative hearing at the California state Capitol Tuesday. Recently released fracking regulations have some lawmakers concerned.

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