State Water Resources Control Board: desalination plant: feasibility study.
The bill's enactment may lead to significant implications for state water laws, especially in terms of promoting alternative water sources such as desalination. It seeks to replace outdated mandates requiring reports on desalination opportunities and establish new directives for in-depth assessments. The study will take into account both short-term and long-term historical drought data, potentially shaping future water policies in addressing water scarcity challenges across California.
Assembly Bill 2016, introduced by Assembly Member Bauer-Kahan, aims to address California's water challenges by studying the feasibility of desalination of ocean and brackish water. The focus is particularly on meeting current and future water demands in the San Francisco Bay area, while also considering the implications for local water resource management. The bill calls for a comprehensive feasibility study to be conducted by the California Council on Science and Technology, along with the Department of Water Resources and the State Water Resources Control Board, which should be completed by January 1, 2025.
Overall sentiment around AB 2016 has been largely supportive, with advocates highlighting the necessity for innovative solutions to water shortages exacerbated by climate change. Stakeholders, including environmental groups and water agencies, appear to be cautiously optimistic, recognizing that while desalination has benefits, it must be combined with environmental protections and sustainable practices to ensure that the ecological balance is maintained.
However, the bill is not without points of contention. Concerns have been raised regarding the environmental impact of desalination plants on local ecosystems, particularly marine life. Provisions within the bill aim to address such concerns by evaluating technologies that minimize environmental harm during the construction and operation of desalination facilities. The examination of potential job creation in the sector adds another layer of complexity to the debate, as proponents and opponents consider the economic merits of advancing such projects.