Judge Norman Robison ruled that State Engineer Tracy Taylor “abused his discretion” and “acted arbitrarily, capriciously and oppressively” when he cleared the [Southern Nevada Water] Authority to pump more than 6 billion gallons of groundwater a year from Cave, Delamar and Dry Lake valleys.

The senior judge from Gardnerville wrote that the state’s chief water regulator traditionally requires “specific empirical data” before allowing groundwater to be transferred out of a basin. This time, though, the state engineer is “simply hoping for the best while committing to undo his decision if the worst occurs,” Robison wrote.

Did you get that last bit? Hoping for the best? As in, Mulroy is really going to keep her promise to stop if things get outa control? Yeah, right. Reminds me of Lucy’s promises to Charlie Brown!

Bottom Line: The only solution to abuse of power is countervailing power — as our founders so wisely foresaw — and this ruling will require Pat Mulroy and the “endless growth” brigade to work harder (or give up!) before they can exploit economically and politically weak neighbors.