Governor Brown’s Executive Order To Streamline Regulatory Process For Desalination Plants

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Following measurement of the lowest snowpack ever recorded in California history, Governor Jerry Brown announced today, an executive order that will save water, increase enforcement of wasteful water use, invest in new technologies, and streamline the permitting process for water infrastructure projects such as desalination facilities.

Scott Maloni, Vice President of Poseidon Water, issued the following statement in response to the Governor’s action:

“The Governor’s Executive Order issued today is consistent with the policy goals established in the state’s Water Action Plan and clearly demonstrates his commitment to developing new local water supplies including seawater desalination. A streamlined permitting process will significantly help our proposed Huntington Beach project become a reality. We are looking forward to bringing this project before the Coastal Commission for their approval this year and finally bringing a drought-proof water supply to millions of coastal residents.”

Poseidon Water is in the late stages of developing its 50 million gallon per day seawater desalination plant in Huntington Beach, CA. A permit from the California Coastal Commission is the last discretionary approval at the state level required to construct the facility.

In January 2014, the Governor released the administration’s Water Action Plan.  Action Item #2 in the Water Action Plan states:

“Increase Regional Self-Reliance and Integrated Water Management Across all Levels of Government.   This action includes the following goal: Streamline Permitting for Local Water Reuse or Enhancement Projects  – “The administration will review and propose measures to streamline permitting for local projects that make better use of local water supplies such as recycling, stormwater capture, and desalination of brackish and seawater as well as projects that provide multiple benefits, such as enhancing local water supplies while improving wildlife habitat.”

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Poseidon Water specializes in developing and financing water infrastructure projects, primarily seawater desalination and water treatment plants. These projects are implemented through innovative public-private partnerships in which private enterprise assumes the developmental and financial risks. For more information on Poseidon Water and the Huntington Beach desalination facility, visit http://HBfreshwater.com.