MWD emissions spike 84% as drought forces shift to energy-intensive Colorado River pumping

MWD emissions spike 84% as drought forces shift to energy-intensive Colorado River pumpingMetropolitan Water District's 2024 greenhouse gas emissions surged to 265,000 metric tons after reduced State Water Project deliveries necessitated an additional 400,000 megawatt-hours of electricity to pump water along the Colorado River Aqueduct.

Total GHG emissions hit approximately 265,000 metric tons in 2024, with Scope 2 electricity use accounting for 93% of the portfolio.

The 84% year-over-year increase was driven by a 400,000 MWh surge in power demand to offset reduced State Water Project allocations.

Despite the spike, MWD remains within its long-term carbon budget, having used 55% of its 14.6 million metric ton allocation through 2024.

Declining water levels at Lake Mead threaten the carbon-free hydropower that currently provides 50% to 60% of the aqueduct's energy needs, prompting a search for renewable alternatives.

Metropolitan Water District (MWD) reported an 84% increase in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for 2024, reaching approximately 265,000 metric tons. Ursula Schmidt, MWD's Climate Action Plan Program Manager, informed the Metropolitan Water District Representatives Caucus on June 3, 2026, that the surge was driven by increased pumping along the Colorado River Aqueduct (CRA) to compensate for reduced State Water Project supplies. The supply shift required roughly 400,000 additional megawatt-hours of electricity. Because the CRA is under MWD's operational control, its electricity use falls under Scope 2 emissions, which now make up 93% of the district's total emissions portfolio. Conversely, emissions from State Water Project deliveries are reported separately by the Department of Water Resources. "Our emissions are tightly linked to how much water we move and where it comes from," Schmidt noted. Despite the sharp year-over-year increase, MWD remains within its long-term carbon budget. The district has utilized 5.8 million metric tons—or 55%—of its 14.6 million metric ton carbon budget allocated for the 2005-2045 period. Schmidt noted that the 2024 emissions were still lower than the year's specific budget allocation, leaving a 126,000 metric ton buffer to manage future variability. Future energy procurement remains a critical risk as MWD targets carbon neutrality by 2045. Currently, carbon-free hydropower from the Hoover and Parker dams supplies 50% to 60% of the CRA's energy needs. However, declining reservoir levels at Lake Mead threaten this supply. Liz Crosson, Chief Sustainability, Resilience and Innovation Officer, noted that replacing this power will require looking at solar and battery storage, which are becoming more cost-competitive alternatives to traditional energy sources. To counterbalance operational emissions, MWD is advancing several infrastructure and efficiency initiatives. The district partnered with Southern California Edison on a two-year strategic energy management program at the Deemer, Weymouth, and Skinner water treatment plants to identify low-cost operational energy savings. Meanwhile, Scope 1 direct emissions saw a 15% reduction driven by ongoing fleet and equipment electrification, including a transition to 100% renewable diesel. MWD is also investing in local water resilience to reduce reliance on energy-intensive imported water. In 2025, the district completed its first stormwater recharge program with Western Municipal Water District and launched a new recharge partnership with the City of Anaheim. Additionally, the district recently completed the Casa Loma Siphon Project, installing earthquake-resistant ductile iron pipes capable of withstanding 13 feet of displacement along the CRA, an upgrade that earned an Envision Silver Award for sustainable infrastructure.