Fact Sheet Water and Energy in California By Alvar Escriva-Bou, Gokce Sencan, Andrew Ayres Dec 5, 2022 Water and energy are closely entwined in California: the energy sector relies heavily on water for electricity generation, and statewide water use consumes a lot of energy. Our new fact sheet illuminates the connections between these two sectors, and explores ways to make both systems more resilient in the face of climate change.
Fact Sheet Access to Safe Drinking Water in California By Caitrin Chappelle, Joy Collins, Ellen Hanak Apr 2, 2021 Not every Californian has access to safe and reliable drinking water. Small communities relying on groundwater are most likely to have chronic water quality problems.
Statewide Survey PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and the Environment By Mark Baldassare, Dean Bonner, Lunna Lopes, David Kordus Jul 26, 2017 Strong majorities of California adults (72%) and likely voters (66%) favor the new state law mandating reductions in greenhouse gas emissions; 56% of adults and 49% of likely voters support the state’s cap-and-trade program.
Report California’s Water: Paying for Water By Ellen Hanak, Dean Misczynski, Jay Lund, Brian Gray ... Nov 12, 2018 Sustainable solutions by state and local leaders are needed to close serious funding gaps in a number of critical areas of water management—including floods, water quality, and aquatic ecosystems. This brief describes the state’s major water funding gaps and proposes ways to fill them.
Report California’s Water: Water for Cities By Ellen Hanak, Jay Lund, David Mitchell, Newsha Ajami ... Nov 12, 2018 California’s urban water suppliers are adapting to an increasing population and a growing economy by diversifying supplies and reducing demand. Ongoing challenges described in this brief include managing water quality and developing cost-effective, sustainable local supplies.
Report Allocating California’s Water: Directions for Reform By Brian Gray, Ellen Hanak, Richard Frank, Richard Howitt ... Nov 17, 2015 California’s water allocation system hampers its ability to meet the state’s needs, especially in times of drought. At its heart is an unusually complex array of water rights. This report summarizes challenges and suggests reforms to strengthen the state’s ability to weather droughts and shifting economic demands for water, while maintaining the existing seniority of water rights. Read a summary of the report’s policy recommendations. This research was supported with funding from the S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation.
Report California’s Water: Protecting Headwaters By Ellen Hanak, Jeffrey Mount, Van Butsic, Joshua Viers ... Nov 12, 2018 Mountainous regions provide most of the state’s water supply. But major problems loom— from a growing risk of wildfires to a shrinking snowpack. This brief outlines ways California and the federal government—the largest landowner in headwater areas—could address critical problems in these areas.
Fact Sheet California’s Water Market By Ellen Hanak, Gokce Sencan, Andrew Ayres Aug 30, 2021 Water marketing is an important tool for managing drought and water scarcity in California. Reforms could help strengthen the market.
Report California’s Future By Ellen Hanak, Laura Hill, Hans Johnson, Caroline Danielson ... Jan 15, 2021 This multi-topic publication highlights the state’s most pressing long-term policy challenges in several key areas: criminal justice, economy, education, safety net, and water and a changing climate.
Report Priorities for California’s Water By Jeffrey Mount, Letitia Grenier, Ellen Hanak, Caitlin Peterson ... Nov 1, 2023 California has made great strides in preparing for a drier, hotter future, but it remains a challenge to harness the bounty of wet years while also reducing flood risk. How did California’s water sector manage the unusually wet 2023 water year—and what lessons can we glean for the future?
