Questions abound about Poseidon’s proposed desalination plant

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1. One of the fatal flaws which I think you should have pointed out in your article is that the Applicant for the Poseidon project has not identified the use(s) of the desalinated water created by the Poseidon project. Will it simply be used to recharge local groundwater basins in times of drought (that would be terrific), or will it be used to by new developments. Environmental Impact Reports are required to address the whole of the action. The Environmental Impact Report for the Poseidon project does not answer this question. The Applicant has manipulated the description of the project (its referred to as piecemealing) and thus far has successfully lobbied to answer this question at a later date (once the facility is built and presumable its too late to stop it). What is peiecemealing? here is a recent article: https://www.ceqadevelopments.com/2017/04/04/sixth-district-rejects-piecemealing-and-other-ceqa-challenges-to-ordinances-enacted-pursuant-to-santa-cruz-countys-zoning-modernization-effort/

   If the water generated by the Poseidon project is used for new development the project will have a significant growth inducing impact on Orange County (this is the real story!). The State legislature has passed bills streamlining infill development in urban areas (high density apartments and condos). New development will need domestic water. Where will the water come from? Imported water is very expensive and increasing difficult to obtain. Desalinization plants are one option. Assembly Bill 1668 and Senate Bill 606 are other options. (see: https://www.wateronline.com/doc/permanent-water-restrictions-approved-in-california-0001). Many local governments in urban areas (orange County) oppose state mandated infill development. The state has threatened to cut off state funds to local governments that do not do their fair share to meet housing needs. This is an ongoing battle far from over.

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