Drastic Changes Coming to Sonoma County Water Supply
A discussion will be held on July 1 with the Farm Bureau, NCBE, Business Alliance & local leaders regarding the Potter Valley Project's supply and cost effects on our water
Per the North Coast Builder Exchange website:
Your Water. Your Future
Tuesday, July 1, 2025 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM PST
Finley Community Center
2060 W College Ave CA
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
Are you aware that your access to water is about to change?
The Potter Valley Project (PVP) is a hydroelectric and water diversion project on the Eel River that transfers water to the Russian River and serves as a critical water provider to Mendocino, Sonoma, and Marin County Communities. PG&E, the owner of the PVP, is looking to decommission the PVP as it no longer generates energy in a cost-effective manner so they are seeking to release their liability. In doing so, part of the potential agreement is to remove the dams (Scott Dam and Cape Horn Dam) that serve the PVP and eliminate the diversion of water to the Russian River. However, the County of Sonoma, the Mendocino County Inland Water and Power Commission, and the Round Valley Indian Tribe formed a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) called the New Eel Russian Project Authority (ERPA) to work collaboratively in maintaining a level of water diversion to the Russian River. The Sonoma County Water Agency has played a critical role in the potential design and understanding of the projected water the new diversion would serve. This collective effort has been presented to PG&E and it is hopeful that they accept and include in their decommissioning plan the ongoing diversion project submitted by ERPA.
PROGRAM:
Dr. Robert Eyler: Present the “Economic Impact of Potter Valley Project and Estimated Effects on Sonoma County Economy” commissioned by the SCFB in Fall of 2023.
David Rabbitt, Chair of ERPA: Discuss and explain the New Eel-Russian Project Authority (ERPA).
David Manning, Sonoma Water: Discuss the potential projects and plans to maintain water diversion from the Eel River in the absence of the PVP.
All outcomes will affect your water, either by supply or cost, or both! Please join us on July 1st to learn more about the future of your water.
REGISTER HERE:
I will be in attendance to learn, record footage and share coverage of this event on my socials, so I hope that you will join me!
Related Articles
City of Cloverdale Implores Local Politicians to Preserve Water Supply Amidst Potter Valley Dam Decommissioning
On behalf of the Cloverdale City Council, Mayor Todd Lands issued the following letter to Sonoma County Supervisor James Gore, Supervisor David Rabbitt, and Congressman Jared Huffman:
Supervisor Gore's Brother Represented Party in Potter Valley Hydroelectric Project Relicensing
As PG&E and Constellation Brands stock values continue to plummet, is the Gore Family potentially negotiating with the utility giant to protect the financial assets of both parties, while intentionally destroying the water supply of the masses?
