Mendocino County 1st District Supervisor Glenn McGourty spoke before his colleagues at the February 6, 2024 Board meeting with a troubling development about the Potter Valley Project, the disputed water diversion infrastructure that keeps the Russian River flowing year-round. He reported that PG&E had seemingly disregarded Mendocino County water users in their rush to decommission meaning “if they wanted to, they could probably just shut the water off and that would be the end of the Potter Valley Diversion.”
In McGourty’s words: “Last week was a very big shock to us . . . in regards to water transfer from the Eel River. . . . We had the first meeting of the new JPA, the Eel-Russian Project Authority. This would be the group that would be taking over the diversion from PG&E and designing a new one that would move Eel River water and continue the flow of Eel River water to our region.”
On January 31, the Eel-Russian Project Authority, the JPA recently formed to negotiate with PG&E, held its first Board meeting in the Sonoma County Supervisors’ Chambers, and the mood was upbeat. The video of that meeting is available to view here. A $2 million grant received from the Bureau of Reclamation will cover the cost of studying the two design alternatives for the new diversion and the development to 60% design stage of whichever alternative is chosen.
The Board was looking forward to having their proposal included in the next PG&E Draft Surrender Application and Decommissioning Plan due out in June 2024, because PG&E had previously expressed a willingness to work with the ERPA.
Back to McGourty’s announcement at the BOS meeting: “The following day we found out that PG&E had dropped us from their decommissioning proposal, which was extremely bad news. . . . Something has changed within their own view of risk management, and we are no longer included. It was kind of a shock, and we’re still kind of reeling from it.”
Because ERPA has the funding, it will continue working on the development of the diversion design. After years of negotiating by parties in both river basins, first with the Two Basin Solution Partners, and then with the Russian River Water Forum, and now with ERPA, there is buy-in from the California Water Resources Control Board, the Round Valley Indian Tribes, and various environmental groups for a seasonal diversion of Eel River water into the Russian River.
McGourty continued, “This is a significant existential threat to us and our water supply, and we’re trying to figure out how to respond. . . .There doesn’t seem to be any commitment on their part to work with us at the moment. They have said some things like ‘We’ll try to accommodate you if we can,’ but it’s not a priority. They want to get their dams down and out of there, so we’re in a very bad spot right now for continuing that diversion.”
At the February 8 Mendocino County Inland Power and Water Commission Board meeting, attorney Scott Shapiro explained what he sees as PG&E’s reasons for deciding not to include all the items in the ERPA proposal.
It may include some of the items, if there is no cost to PG&E, or no delay in removing the dams. PG&E is motivated by two things: 1) it wants to minimize the risk of liability as much as possible because of so many lawsuits against the utility, and 2) it prefers to spend money on projects that are recoverable from ratepayers. If PG&E is ordered to do something by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), those costs can be passed on to ratepayers. If PG&E decides on its own to spend money helping ERPA, those costs are not recoverable.
It had been hoped that FERC could transfer the PG&E license for the Potter Valley Project to ERPA as a non-power generating license, for water only. There are only a few such FERC non-power licenses.
FERC is not in the water supply business and most likely will not issue another water-only license. ERPA will need to work with state and federal agencies to obtain a license and water rights for a new diversion, and at this point, nobody knows how long that will take.
The MCIWPC is also signing onto a proposal to raise Coyote Dam at Lake Mendocino, although this will not happen any time soon; and is also working on developing more water storage, in the form of reservoirs and ponds, for Potter Valley.
During the February 8 meeting, District 1 Supervisorial candidate Carrie Shattuck urged the Board to issue a press release about the latest PG&E decision. Board Chair Janet Pauli would prefer to wait until the March 19 ERPA meeting in Ukiah to do so.
There was discussion among the Board and audience that these water issues are so complicated, it is difficult for people to understand, and there have been multiple public meetings of various water agencies that are sparsely attended, yet it is so important for people to realize that this will affect water security from Mendocino County to Marin County for the next hundred years.
Click on the link to view Shattuck’s video
Aside from Shattuck, the other three candidates for District 1 Supervisor clearly understand how important this matter is, and they provided comments.
Madeline Cline, 1st District Supervisor candidate, expressed concern about PG&E’s decision not to include the New Eel-Russian Facility in the Potter Valley Project decommissioning plan. She emphasized the ongoing necessity of water diversion for the region and its 650,000 users. Cline stressed the historical importance of diverting water from the Eel River into the Russian River, stating it’s crucial for the community, local economy, and jobs. She sees the New Eel-Russian Facility as essential for long-term sustainability and efficiency in the water supply.
Cline called on PG&E, state, and federal representatives to balance environmental and economic impacts in the decision-making process. She believes the New Eel-Russian Facility is the only comprehensive solution proposed so far. As the Potter Valley Project debate continues, Cline urges stakeholders to unite and prioritize the implementation of the New Eel-Russian Facility. Her commitment lies in seeking sustainable solutions that consider the community’s long-term interests, its economy, and the local ecosystem’s delicate balance.
Adam Gaska, also a candidate for 1st District Supervisor, said, “I am disappointed, but not entirely surprised, by PG&E’s shift in position.” Gaska believes PG&E is primarily focused on their financial interests, regardless of the potential negative impact on communities. He highlights the need for a resolution to maintain water transfers from the Eel to the Russian River, emphasizing the importance of this continuity for the communities relying on the Russian River.
“I am hopeful that something can still be worked out to continue water transfers from the Eel to the Russian River for the sake of the communities that depend on the Russian River,” Gaska stated optimistically. He looks forward to receiving more details from state and federal representatives on how this goal can be achieved with minimal disruption. Gaska reaffirms his commitment to actively participate in the process of securing regional water supply, promoting resilience, and advocating for policies that facilitate progress.
Trevor Mockel, also a candidate for 1st District Supervisor, recognized the potential for economic hardship and a diminished quality of life without a sustainable water supply and stressed the need to establish a resilient, responsible, and enduring water supply system.
Mockel said, “Engagement in the Potter Valley decommissioning process is not just prudent—it’s imperative.” He pointed to the New Eel-Russian Facility proposal as a forward-looking approach to water management, emphasizing its focus on environmental integrity and equity after over five years of analysis and deliberation. As PG&E finalizes its draft plan to surrender the Potter Valley Project, Mockel called for active participation from the entire Greater Ukiah Valley.
Stuart Tiffen from Sonoma Water commented: The Eel-Russian Project Authority stakeholders and other proponents of the proposal for the New Eel-Russian Facility expect to continue to engage with PG&E on a solution which addresses both parties’ goals. We also wish to thank the Governor for his support of the development and implementation of a Regional Solution for PG&E’s plan for swift dam removal for the Potter Valley Project along with a fish friendly water diversion for Russian River communities as included in his recently released California Salmon Strategy for a Hotter, Drier Future. Goal 1 of the strategy is: “Remove Barriers and Modernize Infrastructure for Salmon Migration.”
Stuart Tiffen from Sonoma Water weighed in on the ongoing discussions, stating, “The Eel-Russian Project Authority stakeholders and other proponents of the proposal for the New Eel-Russian Facility expect to continue to engage with PG&E on a solution which addresses both parties’ goals.” Tiffen expressed optimism about the collaborative efforts between stakeholders and PG&E, emphasizing the shared objective of finding a solution that aligns with the interests of all involved parties.
In his comments, Tiffen also expressed gratitude, noting, “We also wish to thank the Governor for his support of the development and implementation of a Regional Solution for PG&E’s plan for swift dam removal for the Potter Valley Project along with a fish-friendly water diversion for Russian River communities as included in his recently released California Salmon Strategy for a Hotter, Drier Future.” Tiffen highlighted the significance of the Governor’s endorsement and his commitment to a comprehensive strategy that addresses both environmental and water diversion concerns. He specifically pointed to Goal 1 of the California Salmon Strategy, which aims to “Remove Barriers and Modernize Infrastructure for Salmon Migration.”
Russian River Flood Control & Water Conservation Improvement District included a section titled “Don’t Panic About PG&E Just Yet!” in its February 12 email newsletter, including quotes from Congressman Jared Huffman stating his confidence that the two basin solution can be achieved.
Stuart Tiffen, of Sonoma Water, sure is praising the Governor for his support for Goal 1 of the California Salmon Strategy: To ‘Remove Barriers and Modernize Infrastructure for Salmon Migration’. What about the communities downstream? That doesn’t seem to be a priority for these politicians. Until the Governor and the State Legislature reign in PG&E, they will continue to make record profits off the backs of the taxpayers. I don’t think the Governor or PG&E give a hoot about our water situation. We need the people in the affected communities to be educated about what is happening and what we can do to avoid this disaster, which is coming our way.