Voice of OC (https://voiceofoc.org/tag/poseidon-resources/)
As a resident and an environmental justice advocate in Huntington Beach who has long studied the proposed Poseidon desalination plant, I know this plant isn’t needed and won’t produce affordable drinking water. We don’t need to get into a long-term contract for water from the most expensive source.
Residents, experts and environmental advocates gathered at a Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board meeting last Friday to oppose a permit for the Poseidon Water desalination facility in Huntington Beach.
On July 18, Orange County Water Board will vote on new terms for the Poseidon desalination project. Orange County Coastkeeper’s Garry Brown and tourism/marketing leader Steve Bone argue that Poseidon is a bad deal for consumers and businesses, who would be hit especially hard by water rate increases.
Paul Cook, General Manager at Irvine Ranch Water District, argues that seawater desalination is not the right answer for Orange County noting there are better water solutions for the region.
An independent report shows seawater desalination is by far the most expensive water supply. Local residents want to understand the true cost of the proposed Huntington Beach desalination project, especially if they are being asked to pay for it, plus the pros and the cons.
Adriana Maestas, who lives in Fullerton, argues that framing the desalination plant as a social justice issue for Latinos is a ridiculous argument designed to only favor a private company and their investors.
Ray Hiemstra, associate director of programs with OC Coastkeeper, writes that Poseidon’s desalination work in SD has locked that community into a bad deal and the proposal for Orange County hides the true cost of distributing the water.
Ray Hiemstra writes that Friday’s King Tides show that Poseidon’s desalination deal with Orange County holds a hidden cost: the taxpayer money required to build structures that hold back the ocean in thirty years.
It appeared the Garden Grove City Council would take a stand against a controversial desalination plant in Huntington Beach, but activists opposing the project were disappointed when council members quickly retreated.
A strong turnout is expected at today’s meeting of the Orange County Water District board, where board members are slated to move forward with their consideration of the Poseidon project.