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Environment

Legal Challenge Over Desalination Plant Rejected

Legal Challenge Over Desalination Plant Rejected
The San Diego Superior Court has turned back a legal challenge to a proposed desalination plant in Carlsbad. Poseidon Resources says the ruling upholds a state agency's approval of the project.

The San Diego Superior Court has turned back a legal challenge to a proposed desalination plant in Carlsbad. Poseidon Resources says the ruling upholds a state agency's approval of the project.

Surfrider Foundation and San Diego Coastkeeper claimed the State Lands Commission should have required more environmental studies before approving the project.

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But San Diego Superior Court Judge Judith Hayes denied the challenge.

Scott Maloni, who is with Poseidon Resources, welcomed the judge's ruling.

"We are at the finish line and the dismissal of this lawsuit certainly brings us much closer to constructing a project that San Diego has been looking forward to for over ten years now," Maloni says.

Marco Gonzalez with San Diego Coastkeeper called the ruling tentative and says the groups have not decided whether to appeal.

He said San Diego Coastkeeper has also appealed the Regional Water Board's approval of the project. When the desalination plant is operating it will provide enough drinking water to meet the yearly needs of 300,000 people.

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Maloni said construction is expected to start this year with the plant in operation in 2012.