CPUC Releases Draft Environmental Impact Report on Desalination Project

PACIFIC GROVE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--After more than three years of extensive analysis, the California Public Utilities Commission released its draft Environmental Impact Report on California American Water’s Monterey Peninsula Water Supply Project.

The CPUC’s report examines California American Water’s proposed project, which includes a seawater desalination facility located in north Marina. The report also examines alternatives to the proposed project and identifies the potential environmental impacts associated with each. In its analysis, the report selects the company’s proposed project as the environmentally preferred method of addressing the area’s water supply challenges.

“We are pleased to see the CPUC’s draft environmental review supports our approach to solving the Peninsula’s water crisis,” California American Water President Rob MacLean said. “Our project will ensure the community receives a long-term, drought-resistant water supply that will leave the smallest environmental footprint of all the considered alternatives.”

This report was performed in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act. The act compels state and local agencies to identify significant environmental impacts of most major projects and to avoid or mitigate those impacts, if feasible.

The draft report marks the beginning of a 60-day public review and comment period. This will include public meetings and open-house presentations to be given by the CPUC, which are scheduled as follows:

Tuesday May 26, 2015, 1:00 pm: Marina Public Library, 188 Seaside Ave. Marina

Wednesday May 27, 2015, 1:30 pm: Oldemeyer Center, Seaside Room, 986 Hilby Ave. Seaside

Wednesday May 27, 2015, 6:30 pm: Oldemeyer Center, Laguna Grande Hall, 986 Hilby Ave. Seaside

Thursday May 28, 2015, 1:30 pm: Sunset Center, Carpenter Hall, San Carlos Street, Carmel

The CPUC is the lead agency and author of the DEIR and as such all formal comments regarding the draft report should be submitted by July 1, 2015 to the CPUC, at the following address:

Andrew Barnsdale

California Public Utilities Commission

c/o Environmental Science Associates

550 Kearny Street, Suite 800

San Francisco, CA 94108

Comments can be sent by fax to 415-896-0332, or by email to MPWSP-EIR@esassoc.com.

The CPUC will review and consider all comments and public testimony for consideration, response and ultimate inclusion in the final EIR.

Those looking to obtain the draft report may download a copy at:

http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/energy/Environment/Current+Projects/esa/mpwsp/index.html

Copies of the report are also available for public review at the following locations:

Castroville Public Library, 11160 Speegle St., Castroville

Marina Public Library, 188 Seaside Ave., Seaside

CSUMB Library, 100 Campus Center, Seaside

Seaside Public Library, 550 Harcourt Ave., Seaside

Carmel Valley Public Library, 65 W. Carmel Valley Rd., Carmel Valley

Salinas, Buena Vista Public Library, 18250 Tara Dr., Salinas

Salinas John Steinbeck Library, 350 Lincoln Ave., Salinas

City of Marina Community Development Department, 209 Cypress Ave., Marina

City of Seaside Community Development Division, 440 Harcourt Ave., Seaside

Monterey Peninsula Water Management District, 5 Harris Court, Monterey

Monterey Regional Water Pollution Control Agency, 5 Harris Court, Monterey

The final EIR is scheduled for release in October 2015.

California American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), provides high quality and reliable water and/or wastewater service to approximately 600,000 people.

Founded in 1886, American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest and most geographically diverse publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company. With headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs approximately 6,400 dedicated professionals who provide drinking water, wastewater and other related services to an estimated 15 million people in more than 45 states and parts of Canada. More information can be found at www.amwater.com.