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PACFIC GROVE, Calif. - One Monterey Peninsula man told a skeptical crowd, he has the answer to the area's water worries. The clock is ticking. Monterey Peninsula cities must cut how much water they take from the Carmel River by 2016.
People at Wednesday's meeting wanted to know why Nader Agha wants their money. There are six cities on the peninsula that need to find a new water source. Agha said he came to Pacific Grove first because it's a public agency and he's a Pacific Grove businessman.
He wants to use 200 acres of land and an existing building he owns in Moss Landing to create what he calls the "People's Moss Landing Water Desal Project."
He's asking for the public to finance it, which means you would own the water company. If Pacific Grove approves the plan, it would be the lead agency. He claims his project will cost about $121 million and is asking customers to pay $12.50 a month to create and operate the plant.
"We are very hopeful for the community. We know we have to do something with the water issue over the next four or three years," says Kevin McCallum, who lives in Pacific Grove. Validate the numbers and I think that will give some peace of mind to the community and Peninsula."
Agha claims his idea will save hundreds of millions of dollars over other plans that would have cost $400 to $600 million. The city council didn't make any decisions, but to start up a subcommittee to look into the issue.
Some council members said they don't know if they are willing to take the risk, or have the time and resources to support this plan.
Submitted by Azenith Smith, Central Coast News
