Why should you oppose Poseidon Resources’ plan for an environmentally destructive, energy-intensive, $485 million ocean desalination plant in Huntington Beach?

Desalination, the process of removing salt from ocean water, is costly and energy-intensive. Poseidon says they will seek subsidies from Southern California’s major water wholesaler, which would ultimately be paid for by ratepayers and/or taxpayers.

Poseidon has a history of cost overruns and delays with desalination in Florida.

Poseidon had one other ocean desalination project in Tampa Bay, Florida, which ran grossly over budget and had to be bailed out by ratepayers. Today that project is $40 million over budget, five years overdue and running at only half of its projected capacity.

"We can't make decisions about our water supply that don't address the future availability of energy. Before we rush into expensive, energy-intensive desalination, we should begin real conservation measures. Conservation is cheap, saves energy, reduces greenhouse gases and urban runoff. Water conservation benefits everyone."
–Debbie Cook, former Mayor of Huntington Beach, President of Post Carbon Institute, and board member of ASPO-USA

Poseidon’s proposal relies on outdated technology that kills marine life. While state agencies look to phase out this technology, this project may prolong its existence.

According to the Los Angeles Economic Development Council, implementing water-saving measures would be more than four times less expensive than desalination.

• Repairing leaking pipes and stopping system inefficiencies  
• Improving irrigation systems and planting native drought-tolerant landscaping
• Requiring new homes to be water-efficient and retrofitting older homes with water-saving fixtures.

Join a growing coalition that includes: Food & Water Watch, Surfrider, Residents for Responsible Desalination (R4RD), Orange County Coastkeeper and Orange County League of Conservation Voters. Support real water solutions, not Poseidon’s costly project.

TAKE ACTION

Help stop desalination in Huntington Beach – sign the petition.

LEARN MORE

• Read Food & Water Watch's report, Desalination - An Ocean of Problems

• Read Debbie Cook's essay, Desalination - Energy Down the Drain
  

Shown above: The AES plant where the Huntington Beach desalination plant is proposed to be co-located and whose outdated technologies harm sea life.