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Power and Water

Power and Water. Water. Civilization in the desert?. The plumbing system basics. 1913 LA Aqueduct water from Owens Valley to make LA expansion possible 1923 Hetch Hetchy Water from Yosemite for recovering SF Remove the dam?. contd. 1936 Central Valley Project

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Power and Water

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  1. Power and Water

  2. Water • Civilization in the desert?

  3. The plumbing system basics • 1913 LA Aqueduct • water from Owens Valley to make LA expansion possible • 1923 Hetch Hetchy • Water from Yosemite for recovering SF • Remove the dam?

  4. contd • 1936 Central Valley Project • Largest federal water project in US—Shasta to Bakersfield • 1941 Hoover Dam • Colorado River water rights divided between neighbor states and Mexico • 1960s State Water Project/California Aqueduct—world’s largest • Supported by S California voters, opposed in North, reduces flow into the Delta

  5. Agriculture • Nearly 80% of harvested water goes to ranching and agriculture • Agribusinesses receive water from fed govt at heavily subsidized rates based on historical water rights • Leads to inappropriate uses and waste—cotton and alfalfa produced in the desert

  6. Urban use • About ½ for watering lawn and garden • Some water districts and cities will issue fines for washing cars, hosing sidewalks

  7. Problems • Growing demand from urban development • Depleted aquifers, ruined soils • Conflicts between farmers/agribusiness, cities, and fish • Disappearing bay smelt • Dams ruining fish runs—2002 salmon die off

  8. Some solutions—conservation, conservation, conservation • Rational pricing—get rid of waste and unsuitable uses • Appropriate crops • Drip irrigation • From Ag to urban use • Appropriate/efficient urban uses • Reclaiming water? • Desalinization?

  9. The Bay • In 1960 Army Corps planned on largely filling the Bay • In response, Bay Conservation and Development Commission formed (BCDC) • Board of 27—appointed by many fed, state, and local agencies • Oversees shoreline development and public access • Today’s good news: 1000s of acres of slat ponds being restored • Issues concerning water quality go before the SF Regional Water Quality Control Board

  10. Public Utilities Commissions • CPUC • Board o f 5 members appointed by governor • regulates telecom, electricity and gas, water • Solar Initiative • SFPUC • Appointed by mayor • Regulates SF water and power

  11. Energy Crisis • 1990s CA paying 50% above US average for electricity • 1995-6 legislature unanimously passes deregulation—first state to do so • 2000—heat wave, drought, and manipulated supply, drive up prices, cause PG&E bankruptcy and blackouts • Davis forced to buy supply at inflated prices

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