After six and a half years of review, the state Public Utilities Commission on Thursday approved a permit for California American Water’s Monterey Peninsula Water Supply Project, including a North Marina desalination plant.

Following public testimony from dozens of Peninsula and other area residents regarding the project, the commission agreed that Cal Am’s project including 6.4 million gallon per day desal plant and supplemental water supplies is the best available route to providing the water-restrained community with a replacement source of water to offset the state water board’s Carmel River pumping cutback order due to take full effect at the end of 2021.

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