The Barbed Wire - November 1, 2024

Governor Issues Executive Order Addressing Surging Energy Bills

On October 30th, Governor Newsom signed an Executive Order to address rising electricity costs, acknowledging escalating customer bills in pursuit of the state’s carbon neutrality goals. The Executive Order identifies the legacy net energy metering (NEM) program as well as utility wildfire risk reduction efforts as major cost drivers to ratepayer increases. The Executive Order directs the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and California Air Resources Board (CARB) to improve efficiency by reallocating unused program funds back to customers and enhancing the California Climate Credit, funded by the state’s Cap-and-Trade program. On a related note, CARB recently issued a notice that a formal rulemaking and stakeholder process will commence to develop updates to the Cap-and-Trade program. Finally, the Executive Order also aims to reduce long-term costs through greater scrutiny of utility wildfire safety spending and regulatory expenses, desiring more cost-effective wildfire mitigation measures and potentially impacting utility undergrounding ambitions, which can be 3 to 7 times more expensive per mile to install than other system hardening upgrades such as covered conductors. In the upcoming legislative session, state lawmakers are expected to consider additional actions to support affordability.

On a similar note, RCRC recently provided extensive comments to the California Energy Commission on the non-energy benefits associated with biomass energy facilities.  RCRC strongly encouraged the CEC, the CPUC, and electrical utilities to consider the ways in which biomass facilities help facilitate achievement of the state's wildfire risk reduction, forest health improvement, solid waste diversion, and air quality goals.  RCRC's letter to the CEC can be found here.

USDA to Issue More than $235 Million to Farmers Hit by Natural Disasters

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is issuing payments this week to agricultural producers impacted by natural disasters, including $143 million in crop insurance indemnities for Florida producers impacted by Hurricane Milton and about $92 million for livestock producers, nationwide, who faced increased supplemental feed costs as a result of forage losses due to 2022 qualifying drought and wildfire events. 

The payments for livestock producers are through the Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) 2022 and are a second round of payments to producers, building on the more than $465 million in payments made to eligible livestock producers in September 2023, using remaining funds in the program. ELRP support came from the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023 (P.L. 117-328), signed by President Biden that provides financial assistance for agricultural producers impacted by wildfires, droughts, hurricanes, winter storms and other eligible disasters occurring in the 2022 calendar year. Learn more on the Emergency Relief webpage. 

Interior Department Delivers $46 Million for Klamath Basin Restoration

On October 30th, The U.S. Department of the Interior announced nearly $46 million in investments from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for ecosystem restoration activities that address high-priority Klamath Basin water-related challenges in southern Oregon and northern California. 

In February, the Department announced a landmark agreement between the Klamath Tribes, Yurok Tribe, Karuk Tribe and Klamath Water Users Association to advance collaborative efforts to restore the Klamath Basin ecosystem and improve water supply reliability for Klamath Project agriculture. Funds announced today will support 24 restoration projects developed by signers of this agreement, as well as other Tribes and conservation partners. 

RCRC AFFILIATE ENTITIES

Updates regarding the important work of RCRC's affiliated entities, providing innovative services for the benefit of rural communities.

Draft Environmental Impact Report Now Available for GSNR’s Forest Resiliency Project 

On October 22, 2024, the draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for GSNR’s proposed forest resiliency project was officially released by the project’s lead agency, Golden State Finance Authority (GSFA) for public review and comment. GSFA has provided a 60-day public review period for the DEIR with the review period beginning October 22, 2024 and ending on December 23, 2024. The GSFA Executive Committee will consider adding additional time to the comment period at their November 6 meeting. 

The DEIR is a comprehensive document that assesses the potential environmental impacts of the project. The public review period allows individuals and organizations to provide feedback on the project’s potential impacts and proposed mitigation measures. 

You can find the DEIR, along with the appendices and translations, on GSNR’s website here and GSFA’s website here. 

To inform the public about the report, staff are conducting outreach through a number of methods. Approximately two weeks prior to the release of the DEIR, staff provided notification of the impending GSNR release on the GSNR and GSFA websites and sent out an email notification to interested parties. Following the DEIR release, in addition to the formal/legal notices required by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), staff sent out email notification, posted information on the GSNR and GSFA websites, created social media posts and flyers for distribution, sent out a press release, and placed print copies at various locations in project communities. 

GSFA is also in the process of hosting public meetings to inform the community regarding the DEIR and how to participate in the review process. 

BULLETIN BOARD

Announcements regarding hearings, grants, and public comment notices of importance to California's rural counties.

CPUC “Powering Up California: Energization Webinar” 

On Wednesday, November 13th, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) will host an informational webinar to provide an overview of newly approved timelines designed to accelerate new service or increased loads to the grid, such as new homes and electric vehicle charging. The CPUC will discuss what the timelines mean for individual customers and local governments to work toward statewide electrification goals. REGISTER HERE For more information, see here. 

TeamCalifornia Lunch and Learn Webinar: "Building a Sustainable Future: Economic Development and Climate Action"

On Thursday, November 14th, TeamCalfiornia and Kosmot Companies will host a lunch and learn webinar on California's new Climate Resilience Districts (CRD) and the available funding for projects like energy, water, infrastructure, and fire resilience. Register for free here. 

REMINDER - NCWA Call for Nominations

The Northern California Water Association (NCWA) Board of Directors is calling for nominations in preparation for the next NorCal Water Leaders Program coming in 2025, Please nominate a future water leader from your area by November 15, 2024.

Cultivating strong and knowledgeable leadership in the Sacramento Valley is critical to safeguard Norther California water rights and supplies, and to sustainably manage water supplies for future generations. The program is dependent upon the nomination of individuals who care about the Sacramento Valley and are interested in learning more about our precious water resources. The program aims to inspire and cultivate the next generation of water leaders in the Sacramento Valley with a deeper understanding of the region. the NorCal Water Leaders Program of 2025 will be a seven-month program with half-day seminars at various locations throughout the Valley. each seminar will focus on important water issues affecting Northern California water supplies and water quality.

Details

• Nominations due no later than November 15, 2024
• First seminar held in January 2025
• Meets monthly through July 2025
• Program will include tours

For additional details and the full call for nominations, see here. Send nominations by email to Danyella Ochoa. Include the nominee's name, address, phone number, email address, and any background information about why you have nominated the individual.

Employment Opportunities

Mendocino County

• County Health Officer - Salary Range: $185,224.00 - $225,139.20 Annually. Position is open until filled. For more information or to apply, see here.
  Under the direction of the Health Services Director, the County Health Officer ensures enforcement of California statutes, regulations, and local ordinances pertaining to the protection of public health; oversees public health programs as pre-scribed by the California Department of Public Health; advises the Board of Supervisors and Health Services Director concerning community health issues; assesses and reports on the County’s health status; and, provides leadership in developing health policy for the County and the community.

Yolo County

• Senior Personnel Analyst - Saraly Range: $103,064.00 - $125,278.40 Annually. Position closes November 11, 2024. For more information or to apply, see here.
  The County of Yolo Human Resources Department is looking for a motivated and experienced HR professional to fill one (1) full-time position in the class of Senior Personnel Analyst.  The incumbent will report to a Human Resources Manager or designee and perform comprehensive and professional level work in a full generalist capacity to support County departments. Areas of emphasis include workforce development and training, employee and labor relations, investigations, HRIS (including position control), recruitment and selection, classification and compensation, and assisting with performance management and progressive discipline. For full details, see here.
   

Critical Funding Opportunity Available to Expand Behavioral Health Services

On July 16, DHCS released the Bond Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP) Round 1: Launch Ready Request for Applications (RFA). Eligible organizations can apply for funding to construct, acquire, and rehabilitate properties for behavioral health services for Medi-Cal members. DHCS will award up to $3.3 billion in grants to projects that expand community-based behavioral health facilities and services.

This funding aims to address significant treatment gaps by improving access to behavioral health care. Interested parties can find application instructions on the BHCIP website and submit applications by December 13, 2024. This initiative, part of Proposition 1, seeks to transform California’s mental health and substance use disorder systems, providing more comprehensive care for the state’s most vulnerable populations. For more information, contact DHCS at BHTinfo@dhcs.ca.gov. To speak to RCRC about this opportunity, contact RCRC's Policy and Local Assistance Manager, Eric Will.

Access the State Grants Portal for a Multitude of Funding Opportunities

Billions of dollars are up for grabs to public agencies and other entities, including tribes and businesses. Grant seekers can access a centralized portal of grant and loan opportunities here, or sign up to receive new grant opportunities delivered straight to your inbox

KEEPING UP

Announcements regarding key staffing changes of importance to California's rural counties.

Jen Hamelin, of Colfax, has been appointed to the Commission on Health and Safety and Workers’ Compensation. Hamelin has been Chief Claims Officer, Worker’s Compensation at Public Risk Innovation, Solutions, and Management since 2023 and has held several roles there since 2012, including Director of Workers’ Compensation, Workers’ Compensation Claims Manager, Supervising Senior Workers' Compensation Claims Specialist and Senior Workers' Compensation Claims Specialist. She held several roles at York Insurance Services Group from 2001 to 2011, including Assistant Vice President of Workers’ Compensation, Claims Manager, Claims Supervisor, Senior Claims Examiner, Claims Examiner and Claims Assistant. Hamelin is a member of the board of directors of Project Go Inc. and The Perseverance Project. She is a member of the California Coalition on Workers’ Compensation and the Association of Governmental Risk Pools. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Hamelin is registered without party preference.
 

WEEKLY NEWS CLIPS

RCRC press releases and related news clips about RCRC and our member counties. Please note that a subscription may be required to read some external publications.

Commentary: How Unchecked IT Demand Creates a Meat-Grinder Environment  – Industry Insider

Steve Monaghan, director of Nevada County’s Information and General Services Agency, argues that while contracting can address short-term needs, it doesn’t fully solve IT departments’ capacity issues or growing demand. He suggests that effective demand management, coupled with robust enterprise IT governance, is essential for balancing resources, maintaining service quality, and enabling long-term IT success.

California wildfires are spreading faster, endangering more people – The Los Angeles Times

From what they’ve experienced over the years, California residents may suspect that wildfires have gotten more extreme amid a warmer and more drought-prone climate. A new paper in the journal Science puts that sentiment to the test, with startling findings: California fires spread almost four times faster in 2020 than they had in 2001.

Healthy Rural California aims to transform medical access in rural Northstate communities – KRCR

Healthy Rural California is actively pursuing support for a state-of-the-art 60,000 square foot interprofessional healthcare campus in Chico. This comprehensive facility aims to significantly enhance access to medical services for underserved rural communities, addressing critical health disparities.