A new era of cooperation could be possible between the city of Corpus Christi and the Port of Corpus Christi on separate seawater desalination projects. On March 21, both entities instructed staff to seek ways of working together on those plans. Courtesy photo
The city of Corpus Christi and the Port of Corpus Christi soon will begin talks on working together on desalination and other water projects. Both entities approved negotiations on March 21.
The Corpus Christi City Council's motion passed 7-2 with councilors Jim Klein and Sylvia Campos voting no. They expressed concerns about desalination’s cost and its potential adverse effects on coastal habitat.
The Port of Corpus Christi Commission’s motion, directing the port’s executives to reach out to the city, passed 5-1. Commissioner Diane Gonzalez voted no, citing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s objections to a recent discharge permit issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for the port’s Harbor Island plant. Commissioner Wes Hoskins was absent and did not vote.
The votes occurred a few days after it was learned that city councilors Mike Pusley, Dan Suckley, and Gil Hernandez had collaborated with the Port of Corpus Christi on an unsigned draft agreement, suggesting ways the two bodies could work cooperatively on their separate desalination projects.
City-port disagreements have centered on who should operate the facilities and where they should be located. Each has proposed two plants.
chuck@thepicayune.com
