California is facing major challenges tied to water management, energy production, and how it uses natural resources. In a conversation with Edward Ring, director of energy and water policy at the California Policy Center, he laid out a set of ideas he says could improve water reliability, strengthen energy supply, and support both rural and urban communities.

On water, Ring argues the state could expand supply by investing in infrastructure and improving how existing systems function. He points to proposals such as raising Shasta Dam and completing Sites Reservoir, while noting there are ongoing disputes over how much water those projects would actually produce. He also highlights the impact of channels that have silted in over time, saying restoring them could increase flows and improve habitat, and he emphasizes using excess stormwater to recharge groundwater without affecting contracted allocations.

Ring also connects forest conditions to water and wildfire risk. He says reduced timber harvests and grazing have left forests more vulnerable to severe fires, and that returning to historical management practices like selective logging and grazing could increase runoff. Beyond forests, he argues California has domestic resource opportunities—such as lithium, quarrying, and asphalt production—that could support rural economies and reduce reliance on overseas supply chains with weaker labor and environmental standards.

On energy, Ring’s focus is on reliability and cost. He discusses retrofitting natural gas plants to provide baseload power and exploring more decentralized generation options, including small modular nuclear reactors and other localized approaches. He also argues that lower electricity costs would make large water projects—like desalination and advanced treatment—more feasible, and he urges policymakers to weigh environmental tradeoffs more broadly, including impacts from resource extraction abroad and land-use effects of wind and solar development.

Why it matters

• Water supply and groundwater stability affect farms, cities, and rural communities across California.
• Forest management choices can influence wildfire risk and runoff, with consequences for ecosystems and water availability.
• Energy reliability and electricity costs shape what’s possible for large-scale water infrastructure and broader economic activity.

What to do next

• Read the full interview for Ring’s detailed recommendations on water projects, forest management, and energy options.
• Track state and federal decisions on Shasta Dam, Sites Reservoir, Delta management, and groundwater recharge efforts.

Source

Original reporting by agnetwest.com: https://agnetwest.com/california-water-energy-resource-policy-conversation-edward-ring/