Technical Working Groups

Technical working groups (TWG) were formed to provide oversight, input, and technical expertise during the development of the Energy Study and the Intake Studies.

TWG Members for the Intake Studies

Gregor M. Cailliet, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus of Biology (Ichthyology): Dr. Cailliet currently works for Moss Landing Marine Laboratories & California State University, Fresno. For the past four decades, since graduate work at UCSB (mid-1960s to early-1970s), Professor Cailliet has studied the ecology of marine fishes. He joined the MLML and CSU Fresno faculties in 1972 and retired in 2009, but he is still very active, doing research, advising students, and writing papers and book chapters. Professor Cailliet is primarily interested in marine ecology, focusing mostly on deep-sea and chondrichthyan fishes. From many hours in the field on ships and submersibles, he has collected fishes and data on their habitats. In the lab, Professor Cailliet has focused on fish life histories (i.e. feeding habits, age and growth, reproduction, and demography). Together with his graduate students he has pioneered age determination, verification, and validation techniques in fishes using the growth zones in calcified structures and their radioisotopic characteristics. Professor Cailliet has been very active both in the Western Society of Naturalists and the American Elasmobranch Society. He has been a consultant for the Regional & State Water Control Boards and the California Energy Commission over the past ten years on the effects of larval fish impingement and entrainment from cooling water intakes, mostly for power plants. He is now serving a similar role for the Santa Cruz desalination project. Dr. Caillet advised on the Entrainment Study TWG.
Brad Damitz, MPA Environmental Policy Specialist: Mr. Damitz represented Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. He joined the Sanctuary in 2000. His responsibilities include developing and implementing Sanctuary plans, guidelines, and policies on a variety of regional resource protection issues including desalination, cruise ship discharges, and coastal armoring. He also works on tracking and responding to various water quality and resource protection issues, as well as developing partnership opportunities between the Sanctuary and the recently designated California Coastal National Monument. Brad received a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Rhode Island, and an M.A. in International Environmental Policy from the Monterey Institute of International Studies, with an emphasis on marine protected area policy. Some of Brad’s other work experience includes teaching marine environmental education in the Florida Keys, and leading kayak tours in the Monterey Bay. Mr. Damtiz advised on the Entrainment Study and Offshore Geophysical Study TWGs.
George Isaac, Environmental Specialist III: George Isaac is an Environmental Specialist in the Marine Region of the CA Department of Fish & Game in the Monterey, CA office. Mr. Isaac advised on the Entrainment Study and Offshore Geophysical Study TWGs.
Sam Johnson, Ph.D. Research Geologist, Dr. Johnson represented USGS. His educational background includes: B.A. (1975) University of California, Santa Cruz (Earth Sciences) M.S. (1978) University of Washington (Geological Sciences) Ph.D. (1982) University of Washington Geological Sciences. Dr. Johnson’s research interests include sea floor mapping and geomorphology, coastal and marine sedimentology and stratigraphy, active tectonics, geologic framework and hazards. Dr. Johnson’s active field areas are Central California (San Simeon to Point Conception), Southern California (Oxnard to Point Mugu), Northern California (Stinson Beach to Point Arena), Puget Sound and eastern Juan de Fuca Strait. Dr. Johnson advised on the Offshore Geophysical Study TWG.
Tom Luster, CA Coastal Commission. Mr. Luster is an environmental scientist at the California Coastal Commission and is the Commission's lead staff for policies and projects related to desalination. He was primary author of the Coastal Commission's 2004 report, “Seawater Desalination and the California Coastal Act”, and has served as co-chair of the State Desalination Task Force and on the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Desalination Working Group. His other work for the Coastal Commission involves policy and projects related to coastal energy issues, including offshore oil and gas, coastal power plants, and wave energy. Before coming to the Coastal Commission, Tom served as senior technical and policy staff for water quality and wetland issues at the Washington State Department of Ecology. His educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in geography and a master’s degree in Resource Geography. Mr. Luster advised on the Entrainment Study and Offshore Geophysical Study TWGs.
Alec MacCall, Ph.D. Senior Scientist in the Fisheries Ecology Division. Dr. MacCall represented the National Marine Fisheries Services. Dr. MacCall’s research interests include development of new tools and techniques for data-limited stock assessment and fishery management such as catch-based methods, e.g., depletion-corrected average catch (DCAC), use of MPA information in stock assessment and fishery management, and full accounting of imprecision in assessment methods. Dr. MacCall studies ecological and oceanographic aspects of fish population dynamics, including: spatial behavior and density-dependent habitat selection, intraguild competition and species interactions, low-frequency environmental fluctuations, population dynamics and stock assessment of groundfish, especially rockfish (Sebastes spp.), and coastal pelagics, including sardines and anchovies. Dr. MacCall advised on the Entrainment Study TWG.
Dave Pereksta, Avian Biologist. Mr. Pereksta is an Avian Biologist for the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement, where he studies and analyzes the effects of offshore oil and gas, and renewable energy development on birds and bats off the Pacific coast. Throughout his career with various Federal and State agencies, he has studied several imperiled bird species including snowy plovers, piping plovers, least terns, ospreys, northern goshawks, brown pelicans, and spotted owls. Recently, David has assisted Cornell University in their searches for the Ivory-billed Woodpecker in Arkansas during the 2006, 2007, and 2008 field seasons. An avid birder for over 30 years, he has birded throughout North America and the American tropics, including leading trips to Belize, Costa Rica, and Peru. David has been an active participant in southern California pelagic trips since 1994 and has been a regular leader for Los Angeles Audubon, Buena Vista Audubon, The Searcher, and The Condor Express since 2000. Mr. Pereksta advised on the Entrainment Study TWG.
Pete Raimondi, Ph.D, Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. Dr. Raimondi’s research interests include the contribution of oceanographic processes, larval dispersal, larval behavior and post-settlement processes to near-shore subtidal and intertidal communities, population dynamics of the barnacle Chthamalus anisopoma in the northern Gulf of California, contribution of larval behavior to the distributions of the corals Agaricia humilis and Acropora palmata, and factors affecting dispersal and self-fertilization in the giant kelp Macrocystis pyrifera. Current Projects: Spatial and Temporal Variation in Recruitment to Rocky Shores: Relationship to Recovery Rates of Intertidal Communities. Shoreline Inventory of Intertidal Resources of San Luis Obispo and Northern Santa Barbara Counties.
Completed Project: Effects of Produced Water on Complex Behavior Traits of Invertebrate Larvae. Related Activities: Ecological Issues Related to Decommissioning of California's Offshore Production Platforms. Dr. Raimondi advised on the Entrainment Study TWG.
Eli Silver, Ph.D Marine Geophysicist. Dr. Silver is Professor of Earth & Planetary Sciences Global Tectonics and Marine Geophysics at UCSC. Eli Silver's research involves study of the active processes and mechanisms of continental margin evolution, focusing at present on subduction, ophiolite emplacement, and tectonic collisions. He studies these processes with a wide variety of techniques, including marine and subaerial geology and geophysics. Silver is currently focusing on two problems. One is collision processes and their role in mountain building, using the Solomon Sea and Papua New Guinea as field laboratories for these processes. Work there includes marine geophysics, field work on the collision zone onshore, and GPS observations of active movements. The second problem is the question of mass balance and fluid flow in subduction zones, and he is focusing on the Pacific margin of Costa Rica. Studies there include both 2D and 3D seismic reflection, submersible diving, and future ocean drilling and acoustic ranging experiments on the sea floor. Dr. Silver advised on the Offshore Geophysical Study TWG.
Curt Storlazzi, Ph.D. Research Geologist & Oceanographer. Dr. Storlazzi is a Research Geologist and Oceanographer Coastal and Marine Geology Program, US Geological Survey. He is a Research Associate of the Institute for Marine Sciences, University of California at Santa Cruz. From 2002-2004 he was a Research Fellow for the Partnership for Interdisciplinary Studies of Coastal Oceans Consortium. From 2000-2002 he was a Post-doctoral Researcher in the Institute for Marine Sciences, University of California at Santa Cruz. In 2000 Dr. Storlazzi received his Ph.D. from the University of California at Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA Earth Sciences Department, where his concentrations were Coastal Geology and Oceanography. In 1996 he earned his B.Sc. from the University of Delaware, Newark, DE Geology Department, Concentrations: Geomorphology and Sedimentology. Dr. Storlazzi’s interests span the coastal zone, from seacliff erosional processes to sediment dynamics in the shallow coastal ocean. His research focuses on the quantitative study of hydrodynamics, sediment transport, and geomorphology in coastal and marine environments. Dr. Storlazzi advised on the Offshore Geophysical Study TWG.
Peter Von Langen, Ph.D.. Dr. von Langen has worked at the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board since the end of 2001. Before joining the California Environmental Protection Agency, Peter earned a Ph.D. in Marine Sciences from the University of California at Santa Barbara, a M.S. in Marine Science from Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, and a B.S in Marine Biology from the University of California at Santa Cruz. Dr. von Langen’s senior thesis documented the effects of a new sewage outfall pipe on the long shore sediment transport and recruitment of a new kelp forest in Mitchell’s Cove. Dr. von Langen advised on the Entrainment Study and Offshore Geophysical Study TWGs.

TWG Members and Workshop Participants for the Energy Study

James Barsimantov, PhD: Dr. Barsimantov received his Ph.D. in Environmental Studies from the University of California, Santa Cruz with a focus on environmental economics, natural resource management, and geographic information systems (GIS). His expertise in greenhouse gas emissions inventories, climate action planning, and offsets development expanded during his work for the UC Santa Cruz Chancellor’s Council on Climate Change. Dr. Barsimantov has worked to plan and implement carbon emissions reductions strategies through alternative energy development, transportation, and greening projects, and is working with a national committee to review new draft Scope 3 GHG Protocols recently completed by the World Resources Institute. Dr. Barsimantov has also worked on the development of California Climate Action Registry protocols.
Shahid Chaudhry: Mr. Shaudhry is currently the Water-Energy Efficiency Program Manager for the California Energy Commission. With over 20 years of experience on various aspects of water-energy-carbon nexus, Mr. Chaudhry is Program Manager and staff expert for the California Energy Commission’s energy efficiency program on existing and emerging treatment technologies in the water and wastewater arena. He chairs desalination and energy committees of the CA-NV Section of the American Water Works Association, serves on the Board of Directors of the Affordable Desalination Collaboration, and is a member of various national and international professional associations, project advisory committees, and collaborations on the water-energy-environment subject.
Ross Clark: Serving as the City of Santa Cruz’s Climate Change Coordinator, Mr. Clark authored the draft Climate Action Plan that is expected to be ratified by the City Council this year. The Plan effectively outlines current scientific principles regarding greenhouse gas emissions and climate change, and discusses the City’s strategies to reach its GHG reduction goals. In development of the CAP, Mr. Clark has worked with various external partners including the Climate Action Compact (partnership between the County and City of Santa Cruz and UCSC), Ecology Action, and the Silicon Valley Joint Venture –Public Sector Climate Taskforce. Mr. Clark will serve as the City’s liaison to the TWG.
Brent Haddad, PhD: Dr. Haddad is the Founder and Director of the Center for Integrated Water Research at UCSC. As Director, Dr. Haddad leads the Center to think broadly about how university research can provide value to water practitioners. He has over 10 years of experience in the field of water and wastewater. In addition to leading the Center, he is a Professor of Environmental Studies with the University of California, Santa Cruz, teaching courses on environmental policy, economics and fresh water policy. Professor Haddad holds an M.B.A. in Business & Public Policy and a Ph.D. in Energy and Resources. Professor Haddad's research focuses on fresh water policy and management, including urban water management strategies, utility-stakeholder communications, and long-range planning. Currently, he is Principle Investigator of a $2.6 million two-year research project focusing on how municipalities can evaluate desalination as a new water supply option.
Dan Haifley: Mr Haifley has been the Execute Director of O’Neill Sea Odyssey since 1999, a program that engages and educates youth about the marine habitat and the importance of the relationship between the living sea and the environment. Mr. Haifley served as Chief Aide and District Chief of Staff for the late California Senate Majority Leader Henry J. Mello from 1993 until 1996; Executive Director of Save Our Shores from 1986 to 1993; and Community Affairs Officer for PG&E in the Monterey Bay from 1997 to 1999. Mr. Haifley also serves as a Commissioner for the Santa Cruz County Commission on the Environment that acts as an advisory body to, and resource for, the County Board of Supervisors. The Commission is charged with recommending policies and action programs designed to improve and protect the environment.
Lon House, PhD: Dr. House’s expertise is in the water-energy nexus. He is a Certified Energy Manager (CEM) and a Certified Sustainable Development Professional (CSDP) with the Association of Energy Engineers. He is currently the CoDirector of Hydro Power for the U.C. Davis Energy Institute. He worked for the California Energy Commission as a utility planner, and he was the chief utility planner for the California Public Utilities Commission. In 1990 he went out into the consulting business, starting his own business (Water and Energy Consulting). He has been the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) energy consultant since 1992, representing 500 water agencies which are responsible for over 90 percent of the water delivered in California; the Regional Council of Rural Counties (RCRC) energy advisor, representing 30 rural California counties encompassing over one-half of the land area of California; and an energy consultant for the Attorney General of the State of California.
Roxanna Pourzand: Ms. Pourzand is an undergraduate student at UCSC double majoring in Environmental Studies and Economics. She is interning for the TWG and will be serving as the UCSC student liaison to the TWG. Ms. Pourzand will be conducting carbon mitigation project research for the TWG in addition to holding student workshops on campus to gain valuable feedback from the student community on the Energy Study.
Kirsten Liske, (Workshop Participant): Kirsten currently leads the Pollution Prevention and Zero Waste Division at Ecology Action, work which is fueled by a strong commitment to bring different segments of the community together to improve our quality of life. In this role, she develops strategic initiatives and programs with division staff and teams.
Since graduating from the University of California at Santa Cruz Environmental Studies (Honors) in 1991 she has succeeded in developing strategic programs with broad stakeholder engagement in the public, private and non-profit sectors to reach resource conservation and pollution prevention goals. As a result of her efforts and service, she was awarded a legislative resolution from the California State Assembly commending her significant and vital contribution to the state's household hazardous waste programs.
Joe Jordan,(Workshop Participant): Joe teaches solar and renewable energy courses at San Jose State University and Cabrillo College, and provides green-jobs training (particularly in photovoltaics, or solar electricity) for a variety of corporate and non-profit organizations around the country. Joe has been a space and atmospheric scientist at NASA Ames Research Center and the SETI Institute in Mountain View. He holds a B.A. in Physics from Oberlin College and an M.S. in Computer/Information Sciences from the University of California at Santa Cruz. Joe served as a Public Works Commissioner for the City of Santa Cruz and is currently a board member for Ecology Action.