The Corpus Christi City Council has declined to apply for a federal grant to help build a proposed $978.8 million water treatment project. The decision was made with a 5-4 vote, casting further doubt on the proposed desalination plant meant to provide a drought-resistant water supply in about three years.
Grant Application
Council members Roland Barrera, Mark Scott, and Everett Roy suggested tapping a U.S. Bureau of Reclamation grant program that offers up to $120 million to help build desalination plants across the country. Barrera said he proposed the grant application with little hope of passing a bitterly conflicted City Council, but felt it was worth the effort because the city needs the funding.
Council Member Carolyn Vaughn said the agenda item was a waste of the council’s time. She also defended herself and the other four opposing council members, whom she said Barrera recently called “stupid” on a radio show.
Environmental Concerns
The City Council in September halted efforts to build a $1.2 billion desalination plant — capable of treating around 30 million gallons of seawater a day beginning in 2029 — citing concerns about the cost and environmental impact from salty discharge into Corpus Christi Bay.
The city’s water department asked the council to reconsider the plant in early June after cutting the price tag to nearly $980 million. Council members deferred that decision until Sept. 1.
U.S. Rep. Michael Cloud, R-Victoria, announced last month that, with the support of President Donald Trump, the agency was able to remove the $30 million cap on the grant program, making Corpus Christi eligible for up to $120 million.
Nick Winkelmann, chief operating officer of the city’s water department, estimated it would cost the city up to $60,000 to apply for the grant, considering staff time and the consulting firm.
Community Reaction
Dolly Trolley, the Corpus Christi school board president, told the City Council on Tuesday that the grant was an important opportunity. “If the city does not apply for this grant, it seems like we’re looking [away from] what is essentially free money,” she said.
Mary Carlson, a spokesperson for the Bureau of Reclamation, said desalination is a critical tool for diversifying water supplies. “As we continue to manage through the impacts of severe drought, desalination offers potential new and reliable water supplies for communities” she said in a statement.
Original reporting: Texas Tribune (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
