by Spreck | Nov 13, 2020 | Uncategorized
Forbes’ has challenged San Francisco’s ban on using natural gas in new construction – opining that it is only possible due to the hydropower generated by the Hetch Hetchy water system.
Senior Contributor Ellen R. Wald describes Hetch Hetchy as “one of the most beautiful spots in the American west, a veritable Garden of Eden” and explains that “the city continues to live and prosper off of one of the most egregious violations of the planet in history.” She is right, of course.
Wald is only partly right, however, in asserting that the dam at Hetch Hetchy makes San Francisco’s ban on natural gas possible.
It is annoying, indeed, when San Francisco touts its hydropower as “clean”, and “emissions free” without acknowledging the destruction of Hetch Hetchy. Do City leaders think it is ok to destroy national parks, in general, or do they think only San Francisco is so entitled?
Should we also dam the Grand Canyon or install a steam turbine atop Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park?
The real story in electricity production in California is compliance with the Renewable Portfolio Standard, which requires 60% renewable production by 2030, and 100% clean energy by 2045. Solar production alone has almost tripled over the last 5 years. Production in 2019 was 28,513 gWh, or about 17 times the total hydropower produced by San Francisco.
Hydropower production does not change unless a new dam is built or an old one removed. And no one is expecting changes in hydropower production, one way or another, to play a large role in the energy picture.
If a San Francisco resident signs up for Clean Power SF, no new hydropower is magically produced. Those dollars instead are dedicated to investments in solar, wind or other renewable power sources
Side notes:
- Under California law, most hydropower, including San Francisco’s, is not considered “renewable”. All together, the City produces about 1,700 gWh per year, a little more than 1/2 of 1% of statewide production, at its three plants in the Tuolumne watershed.
- Only about 20% of San Francisco’s hydropower will be lost when Hetch Hetchy Valley is restored – mostly at the Kirkwood Plant. The Holm and Moccasin Plants will be largely unaffected.
- If you prefer a gas range to a traditional electric stove, try an electric induction stove as an alternative to both. It’s a very different experience and you may love it.
by Spreck | Oct 24, 2020 | Uncategorized
We are so excited to present Libby McLaren’s extraordinary rendition of “Hooray for Hetch Hetchy”.
For those unfamiliar, Libby is a wonderfully talented singer and pianist. She grew up in a musical household and has performed across the country for the past 45 years. Libby is also a proud graduate of John Muir Elementary in Berkeley – class of ’67.
What a great voice! Enjoy.
For more about Libby and her partner Robin Flower, see http://www.flowerandmclaren.com/. Restore Hetch Hetchy is also grateful to Michael Sexton for his excellent videography (sextonarts.com).
Also, Restore Hetch Hetchy wants to know what you would like to see when Hetch Hetchy is restored. Fill out our restoration survey or send an email to spreck@hetchhetchy.org.
Restoration Survey
by Spreck | Oct 19, 2020 | Uncategorized
Restore Hetch Hetchy is pleased to present a new and improved website with a modern ‘responsive’ design so it plays nice with all of your difference devices. We hope you will like it.
The new site will retain the information provided on the old site, with the exception of some of our several hundred blog posts. Let us know if there’s something missing that you’d like to see. You’ll also notice that blog posts will have a slightly different look as they are linked to the website. Special thanks to Daniel McKenzie for his excellent work on our new website.
The new site will include feature video features as well as opportunities for supporters to engage. We are starting by asking for feedback on what restoration should look like. In 2021, we will be asking supporters to help us engage in the political arena.
How you would like to see the valley restored?
- Should there be roads or only trails?
- Where should camping and lodging be allowed? In the restored valley? In adjacent areas?
- What do we do with the O’Shaughnessy Dam?
- And should San Francisco be compensated, to make restoration more palatable, or has the city already received plenty of benefit over the past century?
Let us know what you think »
Restore Hetch Hetchy will be active in coming months. We have two reports in the works. One, tentatively titled “The Second Taking of Hetch Hetchy”, is about how San Francisco and the National Park Service have limited public access to Hetch Hetchy – directly contravening promises made to and expected by Congress when it gave San Francisco permission to dam and flood the valley. The second will be an update on water system improvements available to San Francisco as a result of improved technology and California’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, passed in 2014.
We will be reaching out to both elected officials (after the election) and to the general public. We will be making directed efforts to find young people, who may not know the story of Hetch Hetchy but don’t believe we need to live with mistakes of the past.
We are asking all supporters to tell their friends and family about the opportunity at hand. Together we can restore Hetch Hetchy Valley, make Yosemite whole again and do something very special for our children and grandchildren. It’s an opportunity like none other.
Please help spread the word.
