blog post Drought Watch: Regional Solutions By Ellen Hanak, Jay Lund, Caitrin Chappelle Jun 27, 2014 This is part of a continuing series on the impact of the drought. Both the legislature and local water agencies have pushed the idea that state bonds should continue to provide dollars for integrated regional water management. But there might be a better way.
Report Adaptation of California’s Electricity Sector to Climate Change By Edward Vine Nov 17, 2008 Changes in the climate will likely result in increased electricity demand, mainly as a result of the increased use of air conditioning. At the same time, hydroelectric power—one of the key sources used to meet peak summertime demands—will be threatened by the declining Sierra Nevada snowpack. The electricity sector is already considering the impacts of climate change, but steps are needed to invest in research, development, and demonstration to improve system resiliency and develop conservation tools. This report was prepared as part of the Preparing California for a Changing Climate project.
blog post Commentary: How California Can Expand Solar Development and Support San Joaquin Valley Farmers By Andrew Ayres, Darcy Wheeles Nov 7, 2022 Can the San Joaquin Valley address its groundwater deficit while helping the state achieve its long-term clean energy goals—and invest in struggling communities at the same time? Our most recent CalMatters commentary argues that solar development, done right, could offer multiple benefits to a valley in transition.
Policy Brief Policy Brief: Storing Water for the Environment By Sarah Null, Jeffrey Mount, Brian Gray, Kristen Dybala ... Aug 22, 2022 To protect and restore California’s freshwater ecosystems and respond to the changing climate, California’s water managers must change how they operate reservoirs. Our policy brief offers recommendations for how to do this in a way that makes the most efficient use of scarce water for the environment while minimizing impacts on other water uses.
press release State’s Environmental Problems Pose Serious Personal Threat, Residents Say Jun 21, 2000
blog post Drought Watch: A Better Way to Manage Water for Fish By Ellen Hanak, Jeffrey Mount Feb 4, 2014 This is part of a continuing series on the impact of the drought.As California’s drought wears on, state and federal regulators will be under increasing pressure to loosen environmental standards that protect native fish and other wildlife.
blog post A California Drought Report Card By Ellen Hanak, Jeffrey Mount Apr 11, 2016 We graded California’s drought response for urban areas, the farming sector, rural water supply, and the environment, and found great disparities in the results.
blog post Beyond the Drought: 10 Big Changes Ahead for California Water By Ellen Hanak Jan 14, 2014 These days, all water news in California is focused on the weather. After two successive dry years, this year’s rainy season has yet to make a decent showing.
blog post Connecting the Drops in Watershed Management By Lori Pottinger Feb 12, 2019 The Yuba Water Agency manages its watershed for hydropower, water supply, flood control, and ecosystem health. We talked to the agency’s manager, Curt Aikens, about lessons learned from this integrated approach.
