Water, Logged: The Weekly's Desal Project Coverage

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Water Battle's New Chapter: May-June 2012

BREAKING: Cal Am Gets Feisty with New Water Project, Threatens Eminent Domain to Access Cemex Property

May 3, 2012 / Sara.Rubin

SALT SOLO: State PUC says Cal Am can ignore county and go it alone on desal plant; county says, ‘What?’

May 3, 2012 / Kera.Abraham


Building a New Plan: March-April 2012

Desal Plant Would Violate County Law, But Cal Am Sees No Problem

April 24, 2012 / Sara.Rubin

Cal Am's New Water Plan: Half the Desal, (Slightly) Lower Pricetag

April 23, 2012 / Kera.Abraham

Pacific Grove Council Approves Public-Private Desal Partnership

April 23, 2012 / Kera.Abraham

PIPELINE DREAMS: A single desal plant supplying the greater Monterey Bay area is a long shot.

April 19, 2012 / Kera Abraham

[SQUID] Speaking of Things No One Wants to Talk About

April 5, 2012 / Squid

Marina Coast Moves to Sue Desal Partners

March 28, 2012 / Kera.Abraham

Water Forum Looks at Supply Alternatives

March 15, 2012 / Kera.Abraham

THE VALUE OF SEWAGE: Peninsula agencies hammering out an agreement on wastewater recycling.

March 15, 2012 / Kera Abraham

Cal Am Owed $8.2 Million on Defunct Desal Project

March 1, 2012 / Kera Abraham

WATER WOOING: Nader Agha courts Pacific Grove as the potential lead of his desal project.

March 1, 2012 / Kera Abraham

[LOCAL SPIN] FELONY STUPID: La Coasta Nostra boys refer Shriner to Grand Jury.

March 1, 2012 / Mary Duan

[Squid] He Who Shall Not Be Named.

March 1, 2012 / Squid


Water in the Year of the Dragon: January-February 2012

Marina Coast Water District Sends Colleague Jan Shriner to Grand Jury

Feb. 24, 2012 / Sara.Rubin

A NEW ACRONYM FOR WATER POLITICS: Mayors form Monterey Peninsula Regional Water Authority to tackle supply crisis.

Feb. 16, 2012 / Kera Abraham

Heitzman plans to leave Marina Coast.

Feb. 10, 2012 / Sara.Rubin

Another Legal Blow to Defunct Desal Plant Plans

Feb. 3, 2012 / Sara.Rubin

RMC Prepares to Sue County

Feb. 2, 2012 / Sara.Rubin

County to RMC: Check's Not In the Mail

Jan. 25, 2012 / Kera.Abraham

Seaside, Del Rey Oaks Join Water JPA

Jan. 25, 2012 / Kera.Abraham

[Squid] Hoist a Glass

Jan. 19, 2012 / Squid

WATER-SUPPLY POLO: Regional Project’s death breathes life into Peninsula mayors’ alternative.

Jan. 19, 2012 / Kera.Abraham

Cal Am Scraps Regional Project

Jan. 16, 2012 / Kera.Abraham

Supes Stall on RMC Payment

Jan. 11, 2012 / Kera.Abraham and Sara.Rubin

Peninsula Mayors Propose New Water Authority

Jan. 7, 2012 / Sara.Rubin

Changing of the Guard at Monterey County Water Resources Agency: Deputy GM Bill Phillips Resigns

Jan. 3, 2012 / Sara Rubin


Things Fall Apart: November-December 2011

[Local Spin] BRING ON PLAN B: What’s next in the ongoing desal drama?

Dec. 29, 2011 / Mary Duan

Collins Faces New Felony Charges; Prosecutors Allege Witness Interference

Dec. 21, 2011 / Rebecca Robinson

Holiday Tidings from Judge to Marina Coast: The Basis for the Desal Plant is Bogus

Dec. 21, 2011 / Sara Rubin

[Cover Story] AGHA’S EMPIRE: Nader Agha’s holdings span Monterey County, but he’s looking to conquer the world.

Dec. 15, 2011 / Kera Abraham and Sara Rubin

[Local Spin] GRAND-THEFT ARTICHOKE: Collins faces slew of felony counts, most not desal related.

Nov. 17, 2011 / Mary Duan

DESAL DÉJÀ VU: Pajaro Valley water district smells scandal potential with DeepWater Desal.

Nov. 17, 2011 / Kera Abraham

Steve Collins Arraignment Continued Until Nov. 30

Nov. 16, 2011 / Rebecca.Robinson

Steve Collins Charged with Grand Theft

Nov. 15, 2011 / Rebecca.Robinson

County Picks Interim Water Agency Boss

Nov. 14, 2011 / Kera.Abraham

Byrne Washes Doyle Off Peninsula Water Board

Nov. 9, 2011 / Kera Abraham


Regional Project Falters: September-October 2011

SCRAPPING FOR SEAWATER: Two private desal proposals jostle for a piece of the wounded Regional Desalination Project.

Oct. 26, 2011 / Kera.Abraham

Live Blogging the Water Forum.

Oct. 26, 2011 / Kera.Abraham

Peninsula Recycled Water Project Accelerates

Oct. 23, 2011 / Kera.Abraham

LIQUID ASSETS: Peninsula water board race focuses on Regional Project contingency plans.

Oct. 20, 2011 / Kera Abraham

DESAL PROGNOSIS WORSENS: Water supply alternatives jockey for attention as Cal Am cold-shoulders Regional Project.

Oct. 13, 2011 / Kera Abraham

AmEx Sues Steve Collins, Trying to Collect $40k Debt

Oct. 7, 2011 / Sara.Rubin

RMC GETS TOUGH ON COUNTY: Regional Desal Project contractor wants to get paid.


Sept. 29, 2011 / Kera Abraham

County Desal Investigation Finds Collins Conflict, Lifts Blame from Supes

Sept. 21, 2011 / Sara.Rubin

Desal Casualty Tally: Weeks Stepping Down from Water Resources Agency


Sept. 8, 2011 / Sara.Rubin

VILLAS DE NO AGUA: State water board says Carmel condo project might violate cease-and-desist order.

Sept. 1, 2011 / Kera Abraham


Drip Theater: July-August 2011

Peninsula Mayors Push Supervisors On Desal


Aug. 29, 2011 / Kera.Abraham

Judge Overrules Marina Coast in Desal Case

Aug. 26, 2011 / Sara.Rubin

[Timeline] A RIVER RE-RUNS THROUGH IT
: Get current with the Regional Desalination Project drama series.


Aug. 25, 2011 / Kera.Abraham

[Cover story] THE REGIONAL DESAL PROJECT FOR DUMMIES: If you don’t follow the Peninsula’s wonky water saga, think of it as our own ridiculous reality show.

Aug. 25, 2011 / Kera.Abraham

DESAL PARTNERS GLOSS OVER OBSTACLES: Community forum on Regional Project leaves most questions unanswered.

Aug. 25, 2011 / Kera.Abraham

County Declares Regional Desal Project Agreements Invalid

Aug. 6, 2011 / Kera.Abraham

County to Marina Coast Water: We Want to Break Up With You

Aug. 4, 2011 / Rebecca Robinson

[Local Spin] WELL, HELL: Give the Desal Hydra an inch. Just see what happens.

Aug. 4, 2011 / Mary Duan

[Squid] Do Unto Others

Aug. 4, 2011 / Squid

Mayors Sign Confidentiality Agreement On Regional Desal Project

July 29, 2011 / Kera.Abraham

Citizens for Public Water Rescinds Support for Regional Desal Project

July 25, 2011 / Kera.Abraham

Price Tag on Hostile Workplace Investigation at Marina Coast

July 21, 2011 / Sara Rubin

County Counsel to Collins: Shove It.

July 19, 2011 / Kera.Abraham

[Local Spin] Outside, Looking In: Ratepayers are SOL if the current desal project proceeds.

July 14, 2011 / Keith Vandevere

High Water: Marina Coast hires spendy defense attorney for its GM, anticipates criminal investigation.

July 14, 2011 / Sara Rubin

[Squid] Ken Doll

July 14, 2011 / Squid

Cal Am Water Rebates Dry Up

July 13, 2011 / Kera.Abraham

EVERYONE UNDER THE BUS: Dueling reports point fingers in many directions on Regional Water Project conflicts.

July 7, 2011 / Kera Abraham

MARINA COAST INVESTIGATION: Collins' Contract was 'OK'

July 1, 2011 / Sara Rubin



Collins Fallout: June 2011/strong>

[Local Spin] COLLINS IS TOAST: Now we know—Marina Coast and Heitzman knew.

June 23, 2011 / Mary Duan

PARTY ON THE DESAL GRAVY TRAIN: Regional Project leaders dined out, visited SF on the county’s dime.

June 23, 2011 / Kera Abraham

[Squid] Sugar and Spice

July 14, 2011 / Squid

DOCUMENTS: STEVE COLLINS CONFLICT OF INTEREST INVESTIGATION

June 21, 2011 / Sara Rubin and Rebecca Robinson

REPORT: Collins’ Side Contract on Desal Project No Secret to Marina Coast.

June 21, 2011 / Sara Rubin and Rebecca Robinson

WHEN THE SALT HITS THE FAN: Steve Collins dirt threatens to sully other officials involved with the desal project.

June 16, 2011 / Kera Abraham

Regional Desalination Project Public Meeting Postponed.

June 14, 2011 / Kera.Abraham

SHUT-OFF VALVE: Water Resources Agency board appointment leaves Peninsula mayors feeling shunned.

June 2, 2011 / Kera Abraham

DRIP, DRIP: Local water has disintegrated into local insanity.

June 2, 2011 / Mary Duan



Salt Happens: April-May 2011

CONFLICTED WATERS: As FPPC investigates Steve Collins, Marina Coast shuns FPPC training.

May 26, 2011 / Sara Rubin

[SQUID] Agua Caliente

May 19, 2011 / Squid

Court Rejects Marina Coast Request to Appeal Lawsuit

May 18, 2011/ Kera.Abraham

Pro-Desal Group Asks Court to Scrap Lawsuit

May 17, 2011/ Kera.Abraham

Surfrider Awarded Nearly $286k for Desal Assist

May 12, 2011/ Kera.Abraham

Scattini Replaces Collins on Water Resources Agency Board

May 12, 2011/ Kera.Abraham

[SQUID] Short (Legal) Notice

May 12, 2011 / Squid

BAILOUT PLAN: As the Regional Project sputters, water district eyes potential desal site at NPS.

May 12, 2011/ Kera Abraham

FEEDING FRENZY: Nonprofits’ experts tap into the desal project’s cash flow.

May 5, 2011 / Kera Abraham

WATER BOARD TILTS LEFT: Lewis’s victory sends deep ripples through local water politics.

May 5, 2011 / Kera Abraham

Brenda Lewis Wins Water Board Seat

May 3, 2011 / Kera.Abraham

CAL AM TO CPUC: MYOB. (But Marina Coast Water District paid for Collins’ big fat consulting contract, Cal Am tattles.)

April 28, 2011 / Jessica Lyons

Cal Am Knew About Collins Conflict

April 28, 2011 / Kera.Abraham

[Local Spin] WATER TORTURE: CPUC, Supes demand info on Steve Collins desal contract.

April 14, 2011 / Mary Duan

[Squid] Where There's Smoke

April 7, 2011 / Squid

Court Rejects Marina Coast Water District's Appeal.

April 6, 2011 / Sara Rubin



Leaky Pipes: December 2010-March 2011

Students Plan Ahead for Water Shortage

March 31, 2011 / Sara Rubin

[Local Spin] WATER TORTURE: Cal Am wants to go back on desal ratepayer agreement.

March 24, 2011 / Mary Duan

[Squid] Cock Block

March 24, 2011 / Squid

WATER BONDAGE: Investment bank warns of potential problems with structure of desal project.

March 17, 2011 / Jessica Lyons

DRA disses Cal Am's proposed rate increase

March 16, 2011 / Kera Abraham

BI-POLAR WATER: Seaside’s water board candidates toe the growth-versus-conservation line.

March 10, 2011 / Kera Abraham

The Salty Side of Desal

March 1, 2011 / Sara Rubin

[Squid] Wet and Wild

Feb. 24, 2011 / Squid

Judge OK’s moratorium on new water connections on the Peninsula.

Jan. 25, 2011 / Kera Abraham

With a Pinch of Salt: Moss Landing desal venture talks big, but officials are skeptical.

Dec. 9, 2010 / Kera Abraham

Forward Flow: State approves regional desal project.

Dec. 2, 2010 / Kera Abraham



Wading Deeper: July-November 2010

[Squid] Desal Drama

Nov. 18, 2010 / Squid

Water Which Way? State issues proposed decision - and an alternative - on Regional Desal Project.

Oct. 25, 2010 / Kera Abraham

Aggro Action: Monterey Coastkeeper sues County Water Resources Agency over farming pollution.

Oct. 21, 2010 / Kera Abraham

Tap the Savings: Water conservation rebates just got plusher.

Sept. 17, 2010 / Kera Abraham

Water Guns: Grassroots group revives call for a public takeover of Cal Am.

Sept. 16, 2010 / Kera Abraham

Washed Out: Peninsula mayors may get advisory role in desal project; opponents call it “window dressing.”

Aug 5, 2010 / Kera Abraham

Pooling Resources: Peninsula mayors press for stronger voice in desal project.

July 27, 2010 / Kera Abraham

Water Logged: Peninsula residents speak out about regional desalination project.

July 1, 2010 / Kera Abraham



Project Debut: April-June 2010

[Cover story] Come Hell or Saltwater: The ocean is probably going to be the Peninsula’s main water supply within six years. Get used to it.

June 24, 2010 / Kera Abraham

[Timeline] Through Fire and Water: The Monterey Peninsula’s water woes have run a centuries-old course.

June 24, 2010 / Kera Abraham

Hot Water: PUC concludes a week of Regional Water Project hearings in S.F.

June 14, 2010 / Kera Abraham

Steeling for Summer: Higher river flows bode well for steelhead.

June 14, 2010 / Kera Abraham

Late to the Game: Peninsula cities want in on Regional Water Project hearings.

June 8, 2010 / Kera Abraham

Switching Teams: Citizens for Public Water plans to sign onto Regional Desalination Project agreements.

June 3, 2010 / Kera Abraham

[Squid] Unlikely Allies

June 3, 2010 / Squid

Cease and Desist In Effect: Judge's ruling today means a restricted water flow for the Peninsula.

Apr 22, 2010 / Kera Abraham

Hot Water Battle: Players pick sides on the Regional Water Project.

Apr 15, 2010 / Kera Abraham

[Squid] Ripple Effects

Apr 15, 2010 / Squid

Freshwater Topic: Sand City's groundbreaking desal plant gets national attention.

Apr 8, 2010 / Kera Abraham

Settlement Smackdown: Peninsula water district withdraws its support for the Regional Water Project agreement; County Supes sign on.

Apr 6, 2010 / Kera Abraham

Desal Dispute: Ag Land Trust sues Marina Coast over regional water project agreement.

Apr 5, 2010 / Kera Abraham

Water Deal Reconsidered: Peninsula water district to vote on regional water project agreement, again.

Apr 5, 2010 / Kera Abraham

Parting Waters: Peninsula water district board divided on regional water project agreement.

Apr 1, 2010 / Kera Abraham

Ratepayers Hosed: Regional desal project agreement could double Peninsula water rates.

Apr 1, 2010 / Kera Abraham


Raising the Stakes: October 2009-March 2010

Hush-Hush Puppies and Coffee: Power-player breakfast meeting hints at the BFD that is the Regional Water Project settlement.

March 26, 2010 / Kera Abraham

Flowing North: Local water board's challenge of state's cease-and-desist order moves from Monterey to Santa Clara county.

March 5, 2010 / Kera Abraham

Water Torture: Seaside’s future is hostage in the Peninsula’s water battle.

Dec. 3, 2009 / Kera Abraham

Keep Flowing: PUC rejects Cal Am request to ban new water hookups.

Nov. 12, 2009 / Kera Abraham

Hook Downs: Cal Am moves to ban new water connections; judge orders mediation on Coastal Water Project.

Nov. 10, 2009 / Kera Abraham

Water Wait: Judge pauses state water board's cease-and-desist order.

Nov. 6, 2009 / Kera Abraham

TRICKLING ALONG: State releases Coastal Water Project EIR.

Nov. 5, 2009 / Kera Abraham

Water Block: State water board approves cease-and-desist order against Cal Am.

Oct. 21, 2009 / Kera Abraham



Water Probe: June 2004-September 2009

EFFICIENCY PAYS: Sand City desal plant earns a nearly $100,000 PG&E rebate.

Sept. 23, 2009 / Kera.Abraham

BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY: Sand City merges arts cred with savvy business plans.

Aug. 6, 2009 / Kera.Abraham

[Local Spin] Progress, Not Profit: Cal Am favors cooperative solutions to water dilemmas.

July 9, 2009 / Craig Anthony

[Local Spin] Water Wars: Are Cal Am’s proposals good for the county, or just Cal Am?

July 2, 2009 / George Riley

FIGHTING WORDS: Simply agreeing to agree on a regional water supply proves controversial in Monterey County.

April 30, 2009 / Jessica Lyons

Wet & Wild: CPUC says North Marina desal plant would be best for the environment.

Feb 3, 2009 / Jessica Lyons

TIPPING POINT: Water for Monterey County Coalition wants to stop studying, start acting.

Jan 9, 2009 / Jessica Lyons

Upstream Battle: Steelhead enthusiasts rescue fish from the drying Garzas Creek.

July 17, 2008 / Kera Abraham

Never-Ending Story: State order to stop overpumping the Carmel River elicits boos, cheers from Peninsula residents.

Apr 3, 2008 / Jessica Lyons

SALINE SOLUTION: Monterey council OKs evaluating feasibility of a desalination plant.

Dec 20, 2007 / Jessica Lyons

Marina Water District GM’s Big Fat Salary: Board gears up for another fight at upcoming meeting.

Sept 20, 2007 / Zachary Stahl

Flawed Solution: Concerns over intake pipes could disrupt plan for Moss Landing desal plant.

July 5, 2007 / Jessica Lyons

[Local Spin] The Right Solution: Cal-Am ignores the one water plan that fits.

Sept 28, 2006 / David Dilworth

Water Warrior: CalAm VP Steve Leonard explains why he is asking for a big rate hike this week.

Sept 14, 2006 / Jessica Lyons

Dueling De-sals: Two competing desalination plants faced off at a public hearing last week.

Sept 1, 2005 / Jessica Lyons

Supes Grab Water: To desal or not to desal? Supervisors appoint advisory board to answer the question.

April 21, 2005 / Jessica Lyons

On The Rocks: Romance between Cal-Am and the County may be over.

Sept 9, 2004 / Jessica Lyons

Dueling Desals: County moves forward with Cal-Am deal—despite legal roadblocks and a competing plan.

June 17, 2004 / Jessica Lyons