KCBA - Monterey, Salinas, Santa Cruz - News Weather-CPUC Certifies Final EIR for Regional Water Project
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SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The California Public Utilities Commission certified Thursday the final environmental impact report for a long-standing water project that could bring a desalination plant to the Central Coast.
The CPUC declared, however, it's decision regarding the Coastal Water Project does not determine whether or not California American Water can go forward with the project or any other alternatives; it is regarded as a major step toward the initiation of a plan created to mitigate the region's water supply issues.
Marina Coast Water District General Manager Jim Heitzman said he expects adoption of components of the regional water project by early 2010.
"The Regional Desalination Plant location meets Coastal Commission restrictions on open ocean intake and treats a combination of ocean and brackish groundwater," Heitzman said. "Potential use of nearby Monterey Regional Waste Management District methane gases to generate power contributes to reduction of greenhouse gases and supplies a sustainable energy source."
Heitzman adds desalinated water for the region could be on-line as soon as 2012.
