A number of positive developments over the summer months have moved theCarlsbad desalination plant closer to the start of construction.
On June 14, the Carlsbad City Council voted unanimously (4-0) to certify the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and approve local land use permits for the Carlsbad Desalination Project being developed by Poseidon Resources Corporation.
In late July, the San Diego County Water Authority (CWA) threw in its support for desalination along with the City of Carlsbad when the Board voted to discontinue its unilateral efforts to develop a desalination plant in Carlsbad.
"CWA's decision ends any confusion the San Diego community and state regulatory agencies might have had regarding the ownership and operation of the Carlsbad desalination facility," said Poseidon Resources Senior Vice President Peter MacLaggan.
In taking its action, the CWA Board reaffirmed its commitment to pass-through to the project funding that is available from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, there by ensuring that the desalinated water would not cost Carlsbad residents or businesses any more than their existing supply.
On August 16, the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) voted unanimously to issue a five-year discharge permit after concluding the desalination plant can be operated in an environmentally responsible manner. This decision means that the State water quality watchdogs have put in place sufficient protections to guarantee that the desalination plant will not adversely impact the marine environment.
Capping off the productive summer, in late August, Poseidon submitted an application to the California Coastal Commission for a permit to develop the Carlsbad desalination plant. The Coastal Development Permit is one of the final discretionary permits required to build the 50-million-gallon-per-day desalination plant in Carlsbad.
"As a long-time advocate for a reliable and affordable supply of water for the City of Carlsbad, the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce is committed to providing continued support to the City and to Poseidon throughout the permitting process," said Carlsbad Chamber President and CEO Ted Owen.
Poseidon currently has long-term water purchase agreements with Carlsbad, the Valley Center and Rincon Municipal Water Districts. Together, the water purchase agreements with those three water districts account for 60%of the plant's total output. Poseidon anticipates the remainder the plant's output will be sold by the time the Coastal Commission review is complete.
Once operational, the Carlsbad desalination plant will provide enough drinking water to serve 300,000 residents annually at a guaranteed price, at no financial risk to taxpayers. The plant is scheduled to be completed and producing potable water by 2009.
On June 14, the Carlsbad City Council voted unanimously (4-0) to certify the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and approve local land use permits for the Carlsbad Desalination Project being developed by Poseidon Resources Corporation.
In late July, the San Diego County Water Authority (CWA) threw in its support for desalination along with the City of Carlsbad when the Board voted to discontinue its unilateral efforts to develop a desalination plant in Carlsbad.
"CWA's decision ends any confusion the San Diego community and state regulatory agencies might have had regarding the ownership and operation of the Carlsbad desalination facility," said Poseidon Resources Senior Vice President Peter MacLaggan.
In taking its action, the CWA Board reaffirmed its commitment to pass-through to the project funding that is available from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, there by ensuring that the desalinated water would not cost Carlsbad residents or businesses any more than their existing supply.
On August 16, the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) voted unanimously to issue a five-year discharge permit after concluding the desalination plant can be operated in an environmentally responsible manner. This decision means that the State water quality watchdogs have put in place sufficient protections to guarantee that the desalination plant will not adversely impact the marine environment.
Capping off the productive summer, in late August, Poseidon submitted an application to the California Coastal Commission for a permit to develop the Carlsbad desalination plant. The Coastal Development Permit is one of the final discretionary permits required to build the 50-million-gallon-per-day desalination plant in Carlsbad.
"As a long-time advocate for a reliable and affordable supply of water for the City of Carlsbad, the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce is committed to providing continued support to the City and to Poseidon throughout the permitting process," said Carlsbad Chamber President and CEO Ted Owen.
Poseidon currently has long-term water purchase agreements with Carlsbad, the Valley Center and Rincon Municipal Water Districts. Together, the water purchase agreements with those three water districts account for 60%of the plant's total output. Poseidon anticipates the remainder the plant's output will be sold by the time the Coastal Commission review is complete.
Once operational, the Carlsbad desalination plant will provide enough drinking water to serve 300,000 residents annually at a guaranteed price, at no financial risk to taxpayers. The plant is scheduled to be completed and producing potable water by 2009.