Topic: Reservoirs

Governor Gavin Newsom has ordered an investigation into the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power regarding the failure of hydrant pressure during the wildfires. Reports indicate that the 117-million-gallon Palisades Reservoir was found to be empty when the fires began, a major infrastructure oversight. The disaster is compared to historical fires where safety rules were eventually neglected after years of successful prevention.

The discussion focuses on the failure to build new water storage facilities in California despite billions of dollars in allocated funding from a 2014 state bill. Donald Trump's past comments on California's water management are revisited, suggesting that the state's failure to capture record rainfall has left it vulnerable to droughts and fires.

Scientists discover a "silent outbreak" of coronavirus among white-tailed deer in North America, with high rates of infection but no symptoms. The hosts discuss the implications of deer acting as a viral reservoir and the potential for new variants to jump back to humans. They joke about the likelihood of people "kissing deer" and the impact on the venison industry.

Reports indicate that California reservoirs, including the Shasta Reservoir, have been intentionally drained despite being nearly full earlier in the year. While officials claim the water release is necessary to save the Delta smelt fish, critics argue it is a manufactured crisis to justify water rationing and support climate change narratives. This mismanagement of water resources is compared to the historical corruption depicted in the film "Chinatown."

The hosts discuss the current rainy season in Northern Silicon Valley and California, comparing it to weather patterns from the 1970s. They argue that the climate operates in cycles rather than being driven by global warming, noting that reservoirs are being filled and drained repeatedly.

Carly Fiorina clashes with Chuck Todd and Governor Jerry Brown over the California drought, blaming liberal environmental policies for the lack of new reservoirs. John C. Dvorak confirms that Brown's history of opposing dams dates back to the 1970s. Adam Curry provides a lengthy critique of Fiorina's "Botox job," suggesting it hinders her ability to express or feel emotion.

The deployment of 96 million "shade balls" in the Silmar Reservoir to prevent evaporation is met with skepticism regarding water health. Critics suggest that blocking UV rays may allow bacteria to thrive, though proponents argue the plastic balls are a cost-effective alternative to a physical reservoir cover.

A severe winter storm, dubbed Stormageddon 2014, impacted Northern California and the Pacific Northwest, causing significant wind damage and flooding. Infrastructure in Silicon Valley suffered as high winds ripped flashing from houses and threatened to topple trees. Despite the severity, the event received minimal national coverage outside the West Coast. The rainfall is expected to fill reservoirs following a two-year drought cycle, contradicting local climate change narratives.

A No Agenda producer announces the release of the film Aftermath, featuring the final performance of Chris Penn alongside Tony Danza and Michael Anthony Hall. The movie is described as a gritty exploration of human devolution influenced by money and power, drawing comparisons to Reservoir Dogs.

Portland city officials flushed 38 million gallons of treated drinking water after a 19-year-old man was caught urinating into a reservoir. Adam Curry calls the move a "slap in the face" to Californians currently suffering through a severe drought, noting that the water was likely safe despite the incident.

A PBS report on Israel's discovery of massive natural gas deposits in the Mediterranean is analyzed. The hosts note the involvement of Texas-based Noble Energy and the role of Bill Clinton as an advisor. They discuss how these discoveries, including the Tamar and Leviathan fields, are transforming Israel into a major energy exporter and shifting regional geopolitics.

The hosts open the program discussing the unseasonably cool weather in Southern California and Northern Silicon Valley. One host recounts a recent nature walk behind his home that led to a local water reservoir. He describes the lack of security at the site and jokes about the ease of trespassing near the water supply.

A report from the Dutch newspaper Trouw suggests that large-scale hydroelectric dams may contribute more to global warming than fossil fuel plants due to reservoir emissions. The World Commission on Dams estimates that between 40 and 80 million people have been displaced by such projects worldwide. There is skepticism regarding whether this information is legitimate environmental science or oil industry propaganda.