Roger Russell, Author at A Sustainable Californian Future

Quick Overview of California’s Groundwater Laws

April 10, 2021 Roger RussellLeave a comment

In 2014, but it had to look further down to see above the surface. For the first time, California has legislated control of 85% of its population and over $50 billion of its agriculture industry relying on groundwater.
Many agencies have completed initial Groundwater Action Plans for this year as the SGMA year comes into effect.
Before SGMA, how did water rights work?
Underground basins are a significant part of the state. Until that point, the rights to groundwater had always gone hand in hand with land ownership: aquifer access entitlements allowed for groundwater extraction.
There …

Four Routes Towards Water Sustainability in California

April 8, 2021 Roger RussellLeave a comment

The difference between the value of available water and the amount used in California is widening.
The state’s two central water bodies, the Sacramento – San Joaquin River Delta and California’s groundwater basins, are both overtapped at a rate of around 6–7 million acre-feet each year, illustrating the difference.
California, on the other hand, has the potential to fill this vacuum. Four easy solutions can produce 11–14 million acre-feet of new water sources while reducing demand.
That’s enough water to replenish drained aquifers and restore a healthy Delta, with thousands of acre-feet left…

Filing for a Restoration Permit

April 8, 2021 Roger RussellLeave a comment

1. First, determine whether any federal, state or local approvals are needed. Make sure the designs are the right size and style for the permits you choose to use. To find applicable programmatic permits, look at our technical resources at suscon.org/technical-resources.
2. Gather feedback and input from regulatory personnel on the conceptual plan, including project design and environmental management steps.
3. Obtain cooperation from cooperating landowners – where easements and/or adjoining property owners’ consent are needed.
4. Seek guidance and template applications and language from restoration applicants …

Importance of Accelerating the Recharge of Groundwater

April 6, 2021 Roger RussellLeave a comment

Our company and our collaborators are leading a project that uses an inexpensive and realistic water management method.
Using on-farm groundwater recharge using floodwater and other usable surface water, we switch groundwater basins mainly on the east side of the San Joaquin Valley toward an area in Kern county, a sustainable groundwater balance pumping recharge.
Farmers, business associations, water districts, academics, governments, and food and beverage companies have all lent their support …

Paving a Better Path Towards Wildlife Habitat Restoration

April 5, 2021 Roger RussellLeave a comment

The time to rescue wildlife from the brink of extinction is today or yesterday. More than 350 of our Golden State’s species are on the verge of extinction, and there’s little chance to be saved. To help them, the faster we can respond.
This year saw the implementation of the critical act of passing the Sustainable Habitat Restoration and Enhancement Act.
The bill provides a unified licensing process with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s authority to implement numerous restoration projects that would benefit wildlife habitat, urban watersheds, and coastal water quality.
Now that the …

Basics of Wildlife Habitat Restoration

April 3, 2021 Roger RussellLeave a comment

The main goal is that the maintenance of our biodiversity despite the scarcity. With that said, shifts in wildlife populations often indicate that more extensive environmental restoration and protection problems. We will further discuss this through Wildlife Habitat Restoration.
What endangers a habitat?
As a result of roads, power lines, and other development, the Lehigh Valley is heavily fragmented. These activities lead to the shrinkage of existing and future …

Volvo Aims to Go Full Electric by 2030

April 2, 2021 Roger RussellLeave a comment

The Swedish car manufacturer will no longer make hybrid cars. Volvo CTO, Henrik Green, believes that there is no long-term future for gas/diesel cars. They recently announced that they would begin making electric vehicles by 2035.
While claiming that all-electric vehicles will be sold exclusively online, the Swedish automaker noted that the dealer experiences and other essential functions like selling, delivering, and servicing will remain vital to customers.
Tomorrow, they’ll present their second all-electric vehicle, the XC40 Recharge 2.0. In 2025, …

Clean Energy Companies Call Out Concerns to Biden Administration

March 25, 2021 Roger RussellLeave a comment

Over the last few weeks, we had conversations with three prominent clean energy entrepreneurs: San Francisco-based solar provider Tom Werner, and former Obama administration member of Sunrun Lynn Jurich, and Heather Zichal, clean power president.
We questioned them about the reaction in Texas and what they are trying to do in California.
1. Heather Zichal
Resolvability is essential to renewable energy firms. New solar and wind credits are being proposed to make them easier to access for companies that want to build power lines and batteries.
They are asking for an end to tariffs imposed by …

California Struggles with Clean Energy Pledge

March 20, 2021 Roger RussellLeave a comment

Much of the state’s current climate change will be aided by less expensive solar and wind power. Although you are aware, however, the sunlight and wind are variable. Blackouts will eventually result in alternatives to dirty energy sources becoming important.
It’s not a new thing. To a few experts, we argued in 2015 that such a law would not increase the state’s green energy mandate. In theory, critics believed that the state could end the intermingling system.
Several government officials have finally pushed utilities to invest in solar-ion batteries. It will help to some degree.
To meet this, the …