Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority Submits Concerns to CEC on Proposed Inyokern Data Center

The Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority (IWVGA) has submitted a formal comment letter to the California Energy Commission (CEC) concerning the proposed RB Inyokern Data Center. The letter, approved by a unanimous board vote in July, outlines significant groundwater sustainability concerns for the Indian Wells Valley basin.

According to the IWVGA, which serves as the Groundwater Sustainability Agency for the region, the Indian Wells Valley basin is designated as critically overdrafted by the California Department of Water Resources. Current groundwater extraction rates are nearly three times the sustainable yield, making the introduction of new demand a critical issue.

In its submission, IWVGA urged the CEC to consider several points during its review. These include the expectation that the project's proponent would contribute to imported water supplies and infrastructure if its demand exceeds the Inyokern Community Services District's sustainable yield, and that any project wells would be subject to IWVGA's Basin Replenishment and Extraction Fees. The authority also emphasized its concern about adding significant new groundwater demand into a closed basin already undergoing adjudication proceedings.

Scott Hayman, chair of the Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority, stated that the board's unanimous action underscores their commitment to protecting the basin as mandated by the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). He added that it was crucial for the CEC to have a clear understanding of the basin's overdraft status and the obligations for any new groundwater user. IWVGA has pledged to continue monitoring the proposed data center project and its anticipated water demands.