Climate Change/Environmental
10/15/2009 2:25:18 PM EST
Marten Law Group: Planned Water Desalination Plant in California Approved Over Opposition Regarding Marine Impacts, Energy and Climate Costs
Partner, Marten Law Group
In this Emerging Issues Analysis, Jeff Kray of Marten Law Group advises that permits for the Carlsbad desalination plant, a $320 million San Diego area facility, have been upheld over the opposition of environmental groups. The permits had been opposed on the basis that the environmental review of the project had failed to consider its impacts on marine life and global climate change.
“Opponents of desalination argue that it is more expensive and creates more waste than other options, particularly water conservation. Other concerns about desalination are the amount of energy it consumes, impacts on marine life at water intakes and outfalls, and water pollution,” Mr. Kray writes. “Among the more challenging issues with respect to desalination processes is disposing of the waste concentrates.”
The author explains the desalination process and details the arguments of the opponents, which focus on the waste and energy costs of desalination. He then analyzes the legal challenges to the Carlsbad plant and the ruling of the San Diego Superior Court that found that the Final Environmental Impact Report for the Carlsbad plant was sufficient.
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