On May 22, 2022, the California Coastal Commission voted unanimously to deny final approval for a desalination plant in Huntington Beach. It would have produced 56,000 acre feet of fresh water per year, and would have been privately financed. … It’s always surprising the vehemence with which opponents of desalination make their arguments. Some of these critics are concerned about securing adequate water to continue farming, and correctly point out that desalination is expensive. … Because most of the annual cost for water projects, once they’re built, comes down to paying off the construction bonds, a useful way to measure their return on investment is to divide the capital cost by the projected annual yield. The results may surprise critics of desalination.

Other desalination news:

• The Monterey Herald: Opinion: Responsible water management requires planning for an uncertain future