Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Available On Air Stations
Watch Live

No Vote On Carlsbad Desal Plant

The company that wants to build a desalination plant in Carlsbad will have to wait at least another month for the last step in the approvals process. KPBS Environment Reporter Ed Joyce has details.

No Vote On Carlsbad Desal Plant

The company that wants to build a desalination plant in Carlsbad will have to wait at least another month for the last step in the approvals process.  KPBS Environment Reporter Ed Joyce has details.

After six hours of testimony and discussion, the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board postponed a vote on a discharge permit for the desalination project.

Advertisement

The permit was issued with conditions in 2006.

The conditions required Poseidon Resources to come up with a plan to offset impacts to marine life.

Poseidon's marine life mitigation plan has already been approved by the state coastal commission and the state lands commission.  

It requires the company to restore more than 55 acres of coastal wetland habitat.

Water control board staff recommended adding from 11 to 18 acres of restoration to that total.

Advertisement

Environmental groups told the board the project sets a bad precedent because it doesn't use the best available technology to reduce harm to fish.

The board will likely rule on  a revised permit next month.
 
Poseidon officials say construction of the plant could start later this year.

Ed Joyce, KPBS News.