MacKenzie Elmer, journalist.
@journomack.bsky.social
Climate, science and environment reporter at Voice of San Diego. Anthropocene gal. Scripps Institution of Oceanography grad.
More journalism, less bullshit.
More journalism, less bullshit.
Pinned
Mexico Said River Border Wall Broke Treaties. The US Built it Anyway.
Experts warn Customs and Border Protection’s wall through the Tijuana River will eventually cause catastrophic flooding in both nations. The IBWC was the only agency with the power to stop it.
voiceofsandiego.org
Spent a year fighting the Feds in court to for these records. The result? Trump/Biden built a border wall through the Tijuana River that violates treaties with Mexico — and it could cause catastrophic flooding in both countries. No biggie. voiceofsandiego.org/2025/02/11/m... @voiceofsandiego.org
Arizona will use taxpayer dollars to pay private companies to build desalination plants in California or Mexico. AZ would trade that investment for more supplies from the Colorado River.
www.kawc.org/news/2025-11...
www.kawc.org/news/2025-11...
Arizona water board approves desalination plants in California, Mexico
Arizona will provide taxpayer money to help private companies develop plans for at least two and possibly three desalination plants in California or Mexico under proposals approved by a state…
www.kawc.org
November 20, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Arizona will use taxpayer dollars to pay private companies to build desalination plants in California or Mexico. AZ would trade that investment for more supplies from the Colorado River.
www.kawc.org/news/2025-11...
www.kawc.org/news/2025-11...
More evidence of San Diego’s lack of public restrooms: A man just threw two planters onto the floor of a local Starbucks after being refused access to the bathroom, which is “for customers only.”
November 17, 2025 at 8:08 PM
More evidence of San Diego’s lack of public restrooms: A man just threw two planters onto the floor of a local Starbucks after being refused access to the bathroom, which is “for customers only.”
Reposted by MacKenzie Elmer, journalist.
Don't know how to feel about Bill Gates' controversial climate memo? Join me and four top climate scientists at 1:30pm PT today for a live discussion! Details and RSVP here: www.climatecoloredgoggles.com/p/live-event...
Live event Tuesday: The Bill Gates climate memo
Join me for an urgent virtual discussion with leading climate scientists.
www.climatecoloredgoggles.com
November 4, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Don't know how to feel about Bill Gates' controversial climate memo? Join me and four top climate scientists at 1:30pm PT today for a live discussion! Details and RSVP here: www.climatecoloredgoggles.com/p/live-event...
SDG&E's biggest union is enraged over non-union layoffs and buyouts of represented workers. "Over my dead body would SDG&E layoff or negatively impact one of our represented families,” said Nate Fairman of Local 465. voiceofsandiego.org/2025/11/03/s...
SDG&E Layoffs Spark Union Backlash
Local 465 blames ‘corporate greed’ and says layoffs won’t translate into lower energy rates.
voiceofsandiego.org
November 4, 2025 at 6:58 PM
SDG&E's biggest union is enraged over non-union layoffs and buyouts of represented workers. "Over my dead body would SDG&E layoff or negatively impact one of our represented families,” said Nate Fairman of Local 465. voiceofsandiego.org/2025/11/03/s...
Ratio utility billing victims are everywhere - wrote about this often third-party billing system used to mask extra costs on tenants back in 2023 voiceofsandiego.org/2023/04/26/r...
November 3, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Ratio utility billing victims are everywhere - wrote about this often third-party billing system used to mask extra costs on tenants back in 2023 voiceofsandiego.org/2023/04/26/r...
Politico's Annie Snider has this great piece laying out how the impending fate of the drying Colorado River is the only water war the Trump Administration hasn't blown up. www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
The water war Trump hasn’t blown up
The fight over the Colorado River’s dwindling resources is made for MAGA — but so far the Trump administration has been playing it straight.
www.politico.com
November 3, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Politico's Annie Snider has this great piece laying out how the impending fate of the drying Colorado River is the only water war the Trump Administration hasn't blown up. www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
Councilmember Marni Von Wilpert. She pushed for San Diego to stop paying its water bills to the Water Authority.
“They’re not going to turn off our tap,” Von Wilpert said. “We can go to litigation over this. We can’t continue to rubberstamp.” voiceofsandiego.org/2025/10/29/m...
“They’re not going to turn off our tap,” Von Wilpert said. “We can go to litigation over this. We can’t continue to rubberstamp.” voiceofsandiego.org/2025/10/29/m...
Morning Report: Water Rates Going Up, Up, Up
San Diego City Councilmembers on Tuesday begrudgingly voted to hike the city’s water rates by nearly 30 percent over the next two years, despite the fact that the region has […]
voiceofsandiego.org
October 29, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Councilmember Marni Von Wilpert. She pushed for San Diego to stop paying its water bills to the Water Authority.
“They’re not going to turn off our tap,” Von Wilpert said. “We can go to litigation over this. We can’t continue to rubberstamp.” voiceofsandiego.org/2025/10/29/m...
“They’re not going to turn off our tap,” Von Wilpert said. “We can go to litigation over this. We can’t continue to rubberstamp.” voiceofsandiego.org/2025/10/29/m...
Council passes 31% increase in water and wastewater rates over next two years. Citizens who spoke against the move stage promoters outside chambers after vote. @voiceofsandiego
October 28, 2025 at 11:47 PM
Council passes 31% increase in water and wastewater rates over next two years. Citizens who spoke against the move stage promoters outside chambers after vote. @voiceofsandiego
Council passes 31% increase in water and wastewater rates over next two years. Citizens who spoke against the move stage promoters outside chambers after vote. @voiceofsandiego
October 28, 2025 at 11:47 PM
Council passes 31% increase in water and wastewater rates over next two years. Citizens who spoke against the move stage promoters outside chambers after vote. @voiceofsandiego
San Diego City Council passes two-year water rate increase - 29% - with council members Lee, Moreno, Foster and Von Wilpert voting no.
@voiceofsandiego
@voiceofsandiego
October 28, 2025 at 11:28 PM
San Diego City Council passes two-year water rate increase - 29% - with council members Lee, Moreno, Foster and Von Wilpert voting no.
@voiceofsandiego
@voiceofsandiego
Councilmember Whitburn says he won't support "four years" of water rate increases. That's different than what he said in September.
He's asking whether PUD could do a 5 percent increase just for the coming year.
He's asking whether PUD could do a 5 percent increase just for the coming year.
October 28, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Councilmember Whitburn says he won't support "four years" of water rate increases. That's different than what he said in September.
He's asking whether PUD could do a 5 percent increase just for the coming year.
He's asking whether PUD could do a 5 percent increase just for the coming year.
“Our city is at risk of becoming an inhospitable desert only for the wealthy.” - an anti-water rate hike San Diegan to City Council
October 28, 2025 at 9:50 PM
“Our city is at risk of becoming an inhospitable desert only for the wealthy.” - an anti-water rate hike San Diegan to City Council
Another public speaker is worried that Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is buying fluoride from China to “poison” the water system.
October 28, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Another public speaker is worried that Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is buying fluoride from China to “poison” the water system.
This guy’s shirt says “crap in the pipe! Cost increase program. CIP?”
He blamed city for cost overruns on Pure Water program, which was estimated at $1,800/AF. And is now upwards of $3,000k/AF.
He blamed city for cost overruns on Pure Water program, which was estimated at $1,800/AF. And is now upwards of $3,000k/AF.
October 28, 2025 at 9:38 PM
This guy’s shirt says “crap in the pipe! Cost increase program. CIP?”
He blamed city for cost overruns on Pure Water program, which was estimated at $1,800/AF. And is now upwards of $3,000k/AF.
He blamed city for cost overruns on Pure Water program, which was estimated at $1,800/AF. And is now upwards of $3,000k/AF.
This guy, Bernie, made his own t-shirt to protest San Diego’s water rate increase that reads: “Unpure Water Project.” San Diego’s Pure Water project is a driver of the city’s large rate increase City Council is considering today.
October 28, 2025 at 9:35 PM
This guy, Bernie, made his own t-shirt to protest San Diego’s water rate increase that reads: “Unpure Water Project.” San Diego’s Pure Water project is a driver of the city’s large rate increase City Council is considering today.
More parking fee news: San Diego Utilities Department floats charging for parking at city reservoirs (which are used like parks) as a way to generate more revenue while it faces potential huge setbacks should City Council fail to raise rates to pay for its system.
October 28, 2025 at 9:25 PM
More parking fee news: San Diego Utilities Department floats charging for parking at city reservoirs (which are used like parks) as a way to generate more revenue while it faces potential huge setbacks should City Council fail to raise rates to pay for its system.
Just gonna leave this little old story about how the Sports Arena/Midway is in a flood zone right here: voiceofsandiego.org/2020/08/19/n... @voiceofsandiego
October 21, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Just gonna leave this little old story about how the Sports Arena/Midway is in a flood zone right here: voiceofsandiego.org/2020/08/19/n... @voiceofsandiego
Reposted by MacKenzie Elmer, journalist.
I'm doing everything I can to find out what the Navy is or isn't launching over the 5 on Saturday. If you know dm me here or on Signal
October 16, 2025 at 6:30 PM
I'm doing everything I can to find out what the Navy is or isn't launching over the 5 on Saturday. If you know dm me here or on Signal
The largest water seller in the nation, Metropolitan WD of SoCal, gets a new leader: Shivaji Deshmukh from the Inland Empire Utilities Agency. He replaces ousted Adel Hagekhalil. www.businesswire.com/news/home/20...
www.businesswire.com
October 16, 2025 at 6:01 PM
The largest water seller in the nation, Metropolitan WD of SoCal, gets a new leader: Shivaji Deshmukh from the Inland Empire Utilities Agency. He replaces ousted Adel Hagekhalil. www.businesswire.com/news/home/20...
Will miss @sammyroth.bsky.social ‘s voice at the @latimes.com. He is a legend.
Thank you @raineytime.bsky.social for spotlighting my last column for @latimes.com, about the end of coal power in California, in today’s Essential CA newsletter: www.latimes.com/california/n...
October 9, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Will miss @sammyroth.bsky.social ‘s voice at the @latimes.com. He is a legend.
Mayor Todd Gloria’s admin ousts climate and sustainability direction - The firing follows a pattern of weakening San Diego’s climate action activities. voiceofsandiego.org/2025/10/08/m... @voiceofsandiego
Mayor Gloria’s Admin Ousts Climate and Sustainability Director
The firing of the city’s Chief Sustainability Officer follows a pattern of weakening San Diego’s climate action arm.
voiceofsandiego.org
October 9, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Mayor Todd Gloria’s admin ousts climate and sustainability direction - The firing follows a pattern of weakening San Diego’s climate action activities. voiceofsandiego.org/2025/10/08/m... @voiceofsandiego
Nick Serrano, chair of @sdcwa/@toddgloria’s deputy, says Metropolitan should pause its Pure Water wastewater recycling project. San Diego is building its own right now. But he says Met should take some of San Diego’s Colorado River supply instead. #politifest2025
October 4, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Nick Serrano, chair of @sdcwa/@toddgloria’s deputy, says Metropolitan should pause its Pure Water wastewater recycling project. San Diego is building its own right now. But he says Met should take some of San Diego’s Colorado River supply instead. #politifest2025
San Diego's public power company is offering to subsidize customers who install solar + batteries on their homes. There's a $55 million pot to draw from, all redistributed revenue from the energy bills San Diegan's pay. tinyurl.com/3xeaeybh via @uniontribune
October 4, 2025 at 2:13 AM
San Diego's public power company is offering to subsidize customers who install solar + batteries on their homes. There's a $55 million pot to draw from, all redistributed revenue from the energy bills San Diegan's pay. tinyurl.com/3xeaeybh via @uniontribune
Sweetwater Authority, which already buys very little water from @sdcwa, is looking to get completely off the teat with a groundwater desalination project reports @voiceofsandiego.org @jimhinch voiceofsandiego.org/2025/10/01/s...
Sweetwater Authority Joins Stampede Away from County Water Authority
The agency supplying drinking water to a large swath of South San Diego County is exploring a groundwater desalination project that could reduce or even eliminate the agency’s dependence on expensive…
voiceofsandiego.org
October 2, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Sweetwater Authority, which already buys very little water from @sdcwa, is looking to get completely off the teat with a groundwater desalination project reports @voiceofsandiego.org @jimhinch voiceofsandiego.org/2025/10/01/s...
Hearing a lot of concerns from San Diegans about the high cost of rent, electricity, water and childcare at City Council today. - If that speaks to you, join us for @voiceofsandiego.org Solutions Showdown this Saturday at #Politifest2025 voiceofsandiego.org/event/politi...
Politifest | Oct. 4, 2025
Politifest 2025 is scheduled for Saturday, October 4, 2025, at the University of San Diego's Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies. This annual public affairs summit, organized by Voice of San Diego,...
voiceofsandiego.org
September 30, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Hearing a lot of concerns from San Diegans about the high cost of rent, electricity, water and childcare at City Council today. - If that speaks to you, join us for @voiceofsandiego.org Solutions Showdown this Saturday at #Politifest2025 voiceofsandiego.org/event/politi...