California Coastkeeper Alliance

04/30/2026

Nutrient pollution from coastal wastewater facilities causes harmful algal blooms that shut down fisheries, makes our coastal waters more acidic, and harms marine wildlife. Combined with increasingly warmer waters year-over-year, California’s coast just can’t take any more hits. ☀️

In today’s LA Times, California Coastkeeper Alliance’s executive director underscores the urgent need to address coastal nutrient pollution now, so that our marine ecosystems and blue economy can thrive. 🌊

Read the full op-ed here: https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2026-04-30/californias-ocean-heat-records

04/27/2026

Urban households pay 5-10x more for water than large agricultural operations. That’s not an accident - that’s policy. But the people bearing the heaviest costs are the same communities that built California agriculture with their labor, and the same communities that have been systematically excluded from owning it.

It doesn’t have to stay this way. Read more on our blog: https://cacoastkeeper.org/californias-water-system-wasnt-built-for-you/

04/22/2026

This Earth Day, we remind you that progress happens when people show up. Imperfect, collective action is better than inaction. What’s one way, big or small, that you can commit to better protecting our environment and shared resources? 🌎💧🌲

04/15/2026

California’s water system is failing, and voters are paying attention. Today, we released our state water policy platform, a Blueprint to Climate Ready-Water Policy, urging state leaders, including the next governor, to take a transformative approach to build a climate-ready, equitable water system that works for all Californians.

We envision a secure water future that protects public health, restores natural habitats, creates green jobs, and ensures every Californian has access to clean, reliable water. We need our state leaders to help make that vision a reality. See the full Blueprint at https://cacoastkeeper.org/californias-blueprint-to-climate-ready-water-policy/.

04/02/2026

The Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant is the single most destructive industrial operation along the California coastline. Read more in today's SF Chronicle about why the plant's toll on the California coast is too costly for it to remain open:

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Chronicle readers comment on Diablo Canyon’s nuclear power plant, electric bikes, a Lowell High School teacher’s resignation, voting and election deniers.

03/26/2026

Here’s why: the Clean Water Act requires that coastal power plants install technology to minimize marine life mortality from the intake of seawater. PG&E’s Diablo Canyon Nuclear Facility has operated without such technology since 1985. Just last month, regulators extended their permit - an action that, we argue, violates the Clean Water Act at great harm to the surrounding marine ecosystem.

Our case seeks to overturn the permit and require regulators to enforce the Clean Water Act as written. This is not just about a single facility, it is about avoiding a dangerous precedent. Our ocean cannot afford for coastal facilities to continue operating without proper environmental protections.

Read more on our blog (link in bio).

02/24/2026

Nutrient pollution from wastewater treatment facilities is creating heightened conditions of ocean acidification and hypoxia along our sensitive coastline. Scientific research shows toxic hot spots reach up to 50 miles offshore, making it hard for sea life to survive.

We need:
💧Immediate regulatory action
💧Technology-based standards by 2028
💧Infrastructure funding for wastewater upgrades
💧Binding water quality objectives

📣 Make your voice heard! Sign our petition and join the Ocean Life Protection Project: https://cacoastkeeper.org/ocean-life-protection-project/

02/11/2026

Our friends at the South Yuba River Citizens League are hosting their 24th Annual Wild & Scenic Film Festival, returning February 19–23 in Grass Valley and Nevada City. The festival combines award-winning films with panels, art, and events that explore real solutions to environmental challenges. If you’re looking for inspiration and ways to get involved, this festival is for you. Can’t make it in person? There’s a virtual option for that! Tickets and schedule: https://wsff.eventive.org/welcome.

11/20/2025

Last month, Newsom vetoed CCKA-sponsored legislation AB 93, which would have required data centers to report both projected and actual annual water use to their local water suppliers.

The bill, introduced by , was meant to better understand the water demand that AI centers use. Regarding Newsom’s decision, CCKA’s Executive Director had this to say: “It just confirmed my concerns throughout his governorship - that the image of being pro-tech is more important than preserving our water supply.”

Read more in the Sacramento Bee: https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article312892619.html

11/17/2025

Today’s EPA announcement redefines the scope of our bedrock clean water law, building on a Supreme Court decision in 2023 that removed protections for a significant number of our nation’s streams and wetlands. The new proposed guidelines are nonsensical and dangerous, and underscore the urgency for California to adopt state-level protections for its waterways.

We introduced the Right to Clean Water Act to protect healthy and safe water for all Californians, and reinstate essential clean water protections stripped by Trump’s Supreme Court. It’s time for the Governor and the legislature to step up and preserve the waterways we depend on.

Read our full statement: https://cacoastkeeper.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Sackett-rule-press-release-Nov-17-2025.pdf.

11/06/2025

📣 Today, the California Coastal Commission is considering extending operations of the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Plant until 2030. We are at the meeting in Sacramento to speak in strong opposition of this extension.

Diablo Canyon Nuclear Plant, operated by PG&E, sits along an iconic stretch of coastline in San Luis Obispo County, home to sea otters and other cherished marine wildlife. 🦦 The nuclear plant is the largest discharger of waste in California and the most destructive facility to marine life along our coast. Specifically, Diablo Canyon uses once-through cooling technology, which intakes marine water so powerfully that they must scrape dead fish and marine mammals off the intake grates.

We will not stand by and allow PG&E to destroy our coastline and precious marine life.