Private Water Law
A blog about water resources and law
The Use of Economics in Water Conversation
In celebration of Earth Day 2010, I am dedicating this post to … money. Or, more accurately, economics and how the “dismal science” is used in conversations about water resources. I think it is useful to understand the ways in which economics is used, because it helps to draw out connections between water management techniques that might not be apparent otherwise. Note that I am not writing here about different movements within economics (although that might be interesting at another time), but about the use of economics and economic concepts in water resources management. This post describes three primary uses of economics, although these are undoubtedly too few, too broad and too narrow. My observations are certainly not unique, and many of you have thought about these categories before. I would love to hear your comments below. Read More
Democrats and Environmentalists Oppose California Water Bond
It’s not surprising, but a group of Democratic politicians and environmental organizations has come out against the California water bond scheduled for the ballot this November. The group has formed an organization simply titled “No on the Water Bond” and started a website and public relations campaign. It is interesting to see the differences of opinion that water causes even within political groups, and how they shift over time, since the bond package was approved by both houses of the Democrat-controlled Legislature last November. Last week, No on the Water Bond issued an open letter to the California Democratic Party Convention listing some of their reasons for opposing the bond measure. Read More
Water Conservation and Rate Impacts: The Example of Penngrove Water Company
It has become increasingly common to note, under the general law that no good deed goes unpunished, that successful implementation of water conservation measures by utilities and their customers generally leads to higher commodity rates for water. This phenomenon occurs because water utilities have significant fixed costs, and as the amount of water decreases, those costs must be collected by increasing water commodity rates. The concept is simple, but it causes consternation among some who feel that water conservation is a moral good that should be rewarded rather than punished. While I am more inclined to view water conservation in economic rather than moral terms, undoubtedly the phenomenon has an impact on customer attitudes toward conservation and thus water resource management under conditions of scarcity. Read More
US Supreme Court Opens, Closes Gates in Interstate Water Disputes
While most water disputes in the United States have historically been located in the west, there are an increasing number of eastern disputes as well. In fact, the US Supreme Court issued two new decisions in late January regarding interstate water litigation, and both were located in the east. One of those cases opened the gate for non-state entities to participate directly as parties in interstate litigation before the Supreme Court, while the other seems to have closed the gate at least partially on interstate groundwater disputes. Read More
More Mythical “Privatization” in the California Water Bond
In an earlier post, I discussed the errors contained in certain criticisms of the proposed California water bond to be voted on in November 2010. Those criticisms were centered on the provision that allowed investor-owned public water utilities to receive bond funding for projects to benefit their customers, who make up 20 percent of all Californians. Critics asserted (incorrectly) that the provision could lead to “privatization” of California’s water. Read More
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