In the News

Report: Wastewater-To-Tap Safer Than Other Water Sources Posted July 29, 2010

SAN DIEGO -- When it comes to the prospect of turning wastewater into drinking water, a new report from the non-partisan research group Equinox Center shows it could be safer than most would think.

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Report: Purified Sewage a 'Strong, Viable' Source Posted July 29, 2010

As San Diego's City Council prepares Tuesday to consider spending $6.6 million on a purified sewage demonstration plant, new analysis from a nonpartisan local nonprofit concludes the new drinking water source would be "a strong, viable addition" to the region's water portfolio.

Council Supports Recycled Sewage Demonstration Plant Posted July 29, 2010

San Diego's City Council voted 6-2 to award a $6.6 million contract to build a recycled sewage demonstration plant today, marking a legislative shift in favor of a new water supply that's long been politicized and, at times, demonized.

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San Diego team behind world's largest wind farm Posted July 27, 2010

A development team based in San Diego is leading an effort to build the world's largest wind farm in Mojave.

The $1.6 billion Alta Wind Energy Center consists of more than 600 wind turbines on desert ridge lines between Lancaster and Bakersfield.

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Politics and water conservation Posted July 27, 2010

In June 2009, an ordinance limiting lawn and garden watering with sprinklers to two days a week took effect in Los Angeles. Citywide water consumption dropped by more than 20%.

Yet, 13 months later, the ordinance that pushed Los Angeles to the fore of the Western water conservation movement is about to be gutted, having become collateral damage in a roiling brawl over rate hikes and green energy between the City Council and the mayor's office.

 

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Report: Purified Sewage a 'Strong, Viable Source" Posted July 23, 2010

As San Diego's City Council prepares Tuesday to consider spending $6.6 million on a purified sewage demonstration plant, new analysis from a nonpartisan local nonprofit concludes the new drinking water source would be "a strong, viable addition" to the region's water portfolio.

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House Democrats introduce bill to defend PACE clean-energy program Posted July 22, 2010

Thirty House Democrats signed on to a new bill on Thursday that would save Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) programs, which have been under attack from mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. PACE is a finance tool that helps homeowners afford energy-efficiency retrofits and renewable-energy installations.

 

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Water bond now on the bubble Posted July 20, 2010

SACRAMENTO — Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger recently concluded that a proposed $11 billion water bond he personally nursed for three years will probably flop in November and has called on lawmakers to take the measure off the ballot and put it before voters in 2012 instead.

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Urban insight starts with useable data Posted July 19, 2010

Wrap your mind around these figures:

In 1800, only 3 percent of the world’s population lived in cities. Today, the figure is roughly 50 percent. By 2050, it’ll be about 75 percent. Read More

UN warns biodiversity loss poses greater business risk than climate change Posted July 19, 2010

The threat to businesses arising from unchecked biodiversity loss is larger and more immediate than that presented by climate change.

That is the stark conclusion of a long-anticipated UN-backed report to be launched in London later today, which warns that the vast majority of firms are ignoring risks associated with biodiversity loss and environmental degradation, despite the fact that they pose a serious and growing threat to their operations. Read More