- President Donald Trump’s top Colorado River official, Scott Cameron, visited San Diego to express that the president sees “real potential” in developing more desalination plants along the California coast.
- Cameron envisions a future with six to a dozen desalination facilities on the California coast providing an ample supply of clean and fresh water to local and neighboring states.
- Cameron participated in a ceremonial signing of an agreement that may enable San Diego to sell desalinated water to other states facing water shortages.
- Cameron expressed confidence that California’s leadership supports desalination and hopes for streamlined permitting processes to facilitate its development.
- Governor Newsom previously addressed the necessity of technologies like desalination to alleviate pressure on the Colorado River in a letter to other governors.
- Environmental advocates have criticized large-scale open ocean desalination, labelling it a “terrible idea.”
President Trump’s top Colorado River official, Scott Cameron, visited San Diego to promote a vision of desalination plants along California’s coast, highlighting their potential for supplying clean water amid increasing shortages. Cameron advocates for development, emphasizing that several facilities could serve California and neighboring states.134
“Imagine a future where a string of six, or even a dozen desalination facilities are operating along the California coast providing ample amounts of beautiful, clean, clear, fresh water,” Cameron explained, indicating that the project could benefit not only local communities but also make water available for a reasonable price to states in need. A ceremonial signing in San Diego signified progress toward creating agreements for selling desalinated water to other southern states.
Cameron expressed confidence, stating he believes California's leadership will support the initiative: “I’m confident the state of California’s political leadership favors desal and I look forward to the date where the state bureaucracy fully aligns itself with making desal easier, faster and cheaper to permit.” His optimism comes as Governor Newsom identified desalination as a crucial technology among strategies to mitigate pressures on the Colorado River in a recent letter to surrounding states.5
However, the project faces criticism from environmental advocates. “Proliferating open ocean desal is a terrible idea,” stated Patrick McDonough, coastal attorney for the nonprofit, Coastkeeper, indicating concerns regarding environmental implications. The outcome remains uncertain as discussions continue over balancing water needs and environmental protections.6
“Scott Cameron, acting commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation, envisions multiple desalination plants along the California coast. This initiative aims to provide ample clean water to not only California but also neighboring states.”
Voice of San Diego