PILOT PROJECT DELAYED vs

THE CAL-AM WATER COMPANY IS DELAYING PLANS FOR A PILOT DESALINATION PLANT, WHICH WOULD HAVE BEGUN PRODUCTION IN 2005. THE MOSS LANDING FACILITY WOULD HAVE PAVED THE WAY FOR A LARGER REGIONAL DESALINATION PROJECT. THE STATE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION, REQUIRED THAT CAL AM SUBMIT A YEAR'S WORTH OF DATA FROM A PILOT PLANT, BEFORE APPROVAL OF A LARGER REGIONAL PLANT. COLLECTED DATA WOULD MEASURE THE SALINITY OF THE BRINE FLUSHED BACK INTO THE SEA, AFTER THE DESALINATION PROCESS. BUT A CAL AM SPOKESPERSON SAID THEIR OVERALL SCHEDULE FOR A LARGER DESALINATION PLANT, WOULD NOT BE AFFECTED BY THE DELAY.