Tom Fudge: San Diegans live in a desert. And perhaps it's ironic that we also live right next to the biggest container of water anyone has ever seen – that's the Pacific Ocean. The only problem with ocean water is you can't drink it or use it to nurture plants. But that's where desalination comes in, at least theoretically.
I say theoretically because removing the salt from sea water has never been a practical way of enhancing our fresh water supply in this country. Up until now, desalination has been viewed as expensive, troublesome and something that requires lots of energy. But last month, the California Coastal Commission gave tentative approval to a sea water desalination plant on the Carlsbad coast. The plant, to be operated by Poseidon Resources , has been in the works for many years. But the Coastal Commission’s ruling has just put it a lot closer to becoming a reality.
Guest
- Peter MacLaggan , senior vice president of Poseidon Resources .
