Many of you already know the rich and troubled history behind the city of LA and more specifically the Dept of Water and Power (LADWP) and the Owens Valley. For those of you who don't, the short version is: every drop of water that we get originated from the Owens river. The Los Angeles aqueduct, the brainchild of William Mulholland, delivers water from the the eastern Sierras into the DWP system. The growth and expansion of the San fernando Valley and the LA basin can be attributed to Mulholland's acheivement.
An impressive feat of engineering on the one hand, but a painful chapter in the lives of those Owens Valley residents who saw their environment completely change, and not for the better. The eco-system of Owens lake was obliterated and the valley now struggles with dust storms that result from the drying of the landscape.
There may be a happy ending to this sad tale with the recent news that the DWP has Proposed an enormous photovoltaic solar project at Owens lake. The proposed project, when completed, would span an area the size of Cleveland, Ohio. If approved, the resulting sustainable energy and green jobs that it would create, may be a gift that keeps on giving for the locals.
The DWP will need to enlist local support and repair the trust (if it ever existed)between the community and the Los Angeles municipal government. Given the history of the past 100 years that may be the biggest hurdle of all.
See the Los Angeles Time article here.
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