Oppose Carlsbad Ocean Desalination

The Chapter is actively opposing the development of the largest ocean desalination project in the Western Hemisphere. The opposition is based on three major policy objections. First, the location and design of this facility will unnecessarily kill marine life by avoiding proven intake technologies that minimize marine life mortality. Second, ocean desalination is extremely energy demanding and adds to greenhouse gas emissions, which in turn threaten our coast and ocean (including current less energy demanding water supply alternatives). Finally, this development of “new water” will only serve to undermine alternatives to a sustainable water supply with multiple environmental and economic benefits – the practices and principles identified in our “Know Your H2O” vision of water management reform.