WATER: Carlsbad desal plant gets final approval
But litigation expected to go on
By BRADLEY J. FIKES - Staff Writer | ∞
Poseidon Resources Corp. got final government approval Friday for its proposed $300 million desalination plant in Carlsbad. However, the legal challenges to the controversial plant have not ended.
The 3-0 vote by the State Lands Commission was the last regulatory endorsement Poseidon needed to build the plant.
Situated in coastal Carlsbad, the plant would be capable of making 50 million gallons of fresh water a day from sea water, 9 percent of the county's total water consumption.
"The Pacific Ocean has been added to the state's water supply portfolio," said Scott Maloni, a vice president of Poseidon, which is based in Stamford, Conn.
Supporters say that is a welcome source of reliable water to the region.
Opponents say the plant's operation would cause massive damage to the adjacent Agua Hedionda Lagoon.
Some also say it's better to extend the water supply by reclaiming and purifying sewage back into drinking water.
The vote amended a lease agreement between the state and landowner Cabrillo Power to allow ocean intake and discharge pipes to be used for desalination. Cabrillo owns the Encina Power Station, the site on which the Poseidon plant is to be built. The intake and discharge pipes sit on state tidelands.
Poseidon will now begin to raise the money to build the plant, Maloni said. Construction is expected to begin in the first half of 2009. The plant is expected to begin delivering water by 2011 if all goes according to schedule.
Maloni said the commission toughened a requirement for Poseidon to compensate for 25,000 tons of greenhouse gases expected to be generated by the plant's construction. Maloni said the compensation would cost about $250,000, which would not be difficult for Poseidon to meet.
Litigation by environmental groups to stop the plant remains to be dealt with.
Poseidon has said it expects construction to go ahead while the litigation goes on.
The Surfrider Foundation and San Diego Coastkeeper filed suit in January against the California Coastal Commission for granting Poseidon a permit for the plant.
The Coastal Commission gave its final approval earlier this month, setting the stage for Friday's action by the State Lands Commission.
And earlier this week, the State Water Resources Control Board rejected a petition from Surfrider challenging the board's approval of a plan by Poseidon to minimize its environmental impact.
Surfrider could take the matter to court, but its attorney, Deborah A. Sivas, said that hasn't been decided yet.
Contact staff writer Bradley J. Fikes at (760) 739-6641 or bfikes@nctimes.com.
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Tuck wrote on Aug 22, 2008 6:52 PM:I guess the water crisis is over. Just in time too, my grass was looking a bit dry.
Nutz wrote on Aug 22, 2008 8:12 PM:You watch, the "tree huggers" will doom this project. If someone can tell me the formula the enviro freaks use to come up with the millions of dollars they pay lawyers to fight any proposed building project please let me know.
more water wrote on Aug 22, 2008 11:20 PM:I think those environuts have been hitting too much of the reclamed sewage drinking water if they think we will allow them to stop this project.
Peoples Republic of California wrote on Aug 23, 2008 12:06 AM:We need water, and we can get it. DUHHHH! If these left wing wackos have the scientific data to prove the fish will die out off the coast, then make it known. But they won't because they have nothing, all they'll do is throw a temper tantrum and engage upon frivolous lawsuits to further hurt the water consumer and the taxpayer....thats YOU.
The Water Lady Macs Says wrote on Aug 23, 2008 5:27 AM:This is a miracle!
This is a 30 year drought.
Read online the MWD 2007 Climatic Global Warming Water Report! You'll find that the entire "nation and world" has been put on report" that there will be no constant water supplies.
9% percent will "not" be for your lawns. IT IS FOR YOU LIFE to be kept alive. See the old 60's movie..."Solvent Green" with Charleston Heston.... There will be no trees and lawns.........We'll be lucky towards the end to maintain human and hopefully animal lives. This is NO JOKES!
Our family owned the second largest "new Spain's" Rancho in the 1800's in early California history. The Great Drought ended one hundred years of the CA Mission and cattle industry of CALIFORNIA. The drought took away our family lands as well as from all other families of the time. We actually owned Santa Barbara County areas.
Here come the greenies wrote on Aug 23, 2008 5:38 AM:to halt this project. The environmentalists "say" they want water, power, alternative energy, but always get in the way of delivering it. The green meanies are totally insincere in their comments. We need the water, we need wind power, solar power, nuclear power, water power, etc. and yes oil to keep our county going forward. I refuse to go back to the stone age. People must unite to fight the forces opposing reasonable progress. Our way of life and economy depend on it. I would welcome a pipe from Carlsbad to Escondido with the desaled water. Bring it on.
Stench wrote on Aug 23, 2008 8:30 AM:CBad folks won't be so happy when this plant goes into production and the air starts stinking like a paper mill. No one will want to live near or downwind from it and property values will go in the toilet. Ah well, a worthy sacrifice for the good of the county, yes?
Tuck wrote on Aug 23, 2008 8:32 AM:TO: The Water Lady Macs Says
Take a deep breath and relax. Repeat as needed. We need solutions, not panic.
surfer wrote on Aug 23, 2008 12:02 PM:Surfrider's motto: BANANA
Build Absolutely Nothing Anytime Near Anywhere.
Who's environment are they wrecking with all of the resin, fiberglass, polyurethane, neoprene, epoxy, catalyst, surfboard wax, on and on and on???
Give me a break
To Stench wrote on Aug 23, 2008 12:53 PM:The desalination plant will smell like a bed of roses next to the poop treatment facility just down I5.
MJ wrote on Aug 23, 2008 5:13 PM:There is one way to stop the enviro-ligitation silliness. Pass a law that states a party who initiates an environmental suit must pay all legal costs and fees in the event it looses. Require that a cash bond be posted to cover a reasonable estimation of the fees in the event of failure. If a suit fails, and there is a delay in a project, then require the group to pay damages for the lost time and increased costs. It is high time we put a lid on these weenes -- it is far too easy for a micro-minority to dictate how the majority lives.
Responsible truth wrote on Aug 23, 2008 10:28 PM:Why did the Tampa Regional Water District have to take over the construction of Posedion's Deal Plant. Why did the the first 2 contractors hired by Poseidon file for Bankruptcy.
Why was this deal "rubber stamped."
Residents for Responsiblity wrote on Aug 23, 2008 10:44 PM:What is the track record of Poseidon's building a Desal plant. 2 Construction Choices in Tampa went Bankrupt. Is it not a fact that the Tampa Water District had to take the Desal plant away from Poseidon for non performance. I think the San Diego City Attorney was correct. Why did the AGC protest Poseidon Resources buidling a Desal plant in Carlsbad.
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