Steven Erie, a professor of political science and the Director of the Urban Studies Program at UC San Diego, discusses how the San Diego County Water Authority's finger-pointing obfuscates the region's discourse on what is really driving water rates.
The San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA) has brought the Metropolitan Water District (MWD) of Southern California to court, holding that MWD is overcharging the Water Authority by mischaracterizing certain water supply costs as water transportation costs. The Water Authority has hired a PR specialist to manage their image in the debate, and the Authority has accused MWD of corrupt decision-making tactics. The battle's become ugly, but could other factors be driving the soaring cost of water in San Diego County? The Planning Report sat down with UCSD's Steven Erie, a professor of political science and the Director of the Urban Studies Program, to discuss the dispute.
Erie contends that decades of aggressive mismanagement and failed policies by the SDCWA and the City of San Diego are to blame for rising water rates. A water transfer deal with the Imperial Irrigation District (IID) in place since 2003 has led San Diego water rates to rise roughly 75%, with further steep hikes in the offing. The IID water costs more than MWD water, and in the future San Diego plans to buy more IID water and less MWD water.
According to Erie, "San Diego water officials are desperate, looking for a Hail Mary pass to deliver them from rate spikes and local revolt. Water rate hikes are big trouble in a town where taxes and rates are four letter words. Judging from the letters to the editor, local ratepayers are fed up. Hence the lawsuit and demonizing of MWD. What started as a business dispute has turned into a bitter family feud. Some would say it's verging on fratricide."
Thanks to Kevin Madden
FULL STORY: Professor Steve Erie: Imperial Irrigation District Transfer, Not MWD, Drives Rates in San Diego

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions