The environmental impact report (EIR) for the proposed 2.5 MGD (9,500 m³/d) desalination plant (scwd²) for Santa Cruz, California, will not now be published until fall 2012.
The latest scwd² newsletter reports that the EIR was to be published for comment this spring but has been delayed in order to incorporate the latest technical information and political decisions.
These include the Santa Cruz City Council and Soquel Creek Water District Board declaration to design the desalination facility to be net-carbon neutral and to include components such as solar panels and energy-recovery devices.
The final EIR publication, public hearings and moves by the agencies to certify the EIR will take place in fall 2013.
The city is currently counting the votes in a ballot to amend its constitution to allow a vote on desalination.