Water in Arizona: Impact on Hydroelectric Power
Our Education Series Continues with two Arizona Experts and an Evening with Ivy Friends
Date: Friday, February 4, 2022
Time: 7 PM AZ
Location Portales Corporate Center Theater, 4800 North Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, AZ
NOTE TO PARTICIPANTS: Oversubscribed! Please donate your reserved seat if it is likely you will not attend. Thank you, Phoenix Ivy and Washington U sign ups! Contact us at harvardclubofphoenix@gmail.com with questions about availability.
In three of the last five years, the Harvard Club of Phoenix has presented top notch programs highlighting the growing crisis of the continuing reduction in the Lake Mead Water Level. As the level dropped, inching below 1090 feet above sea level, the flow in the Colorado River was decreasing. The Arizona Water Department and the Central Arizona Project brokered a tough deal to spread the loss of 40 percent of our CAP water, thus 16% of all of the water used in a year in Arizona. Certain cities, towns, tribes, and irrigation districts absorbed the loss and they signed a “treaty” on how to spread the pain. However, while that water treaty is going into operation right now, no one is yet publicly addressing the soon to occur inevitable effect of the drop in Colorado River flow – the loss of hydroelectric power. When the turbines stop turning, Arizona will lose about 10 % of the electricity it now uses. It is feasible for us to spread a loss of water -- but, it is much harder to cover electricity losses and, unless thoughtful work commences now, our state might see brownouts or worse. Everyone who attends our education series is glad they did. You will learn a lot. RSVP to harvardclubofphoenix@gmail.com.
Our experts are Kristen Johnson, JD and Ed Gerak, PE -- We will enjoy their insights with the Phoenix Ivy Council
Kristen Johnson joined the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) in March 2021 as the Manager of the Colorado River Management Section. Ms. Johnson practiced law with the Department of the Interior’s Office of the Solicitor in Washington, D.C. where she counseled the Bureau of Reclamation from 2008-2017.
Ed Gerak is now at the Irrigation and Electrical Districts Association of Arizona as Executive Director. This organization represents the interests of its members concerning electrical power contracts and rates, irrigation, environmental issues, and federal and state legislation. Immediately prior, from 2017-2021 Ed served as Executive Director of the Arizona Power Authority.