Assemblymembers Diane Papan and Chris Rogers have introduced several bills, in partnership with Sonoma Clean Power, that aim to push geothermal energy development in California. AB 526, AB 527 and AB 531 will create a strategic plan for in-State Geothermal energy, streamline the geothermal exploration process and accelerate Geothermal development projects. The goal is to make sure that California leads the nation in clean energy while promoting economic growth and energy stability. Assemblymember Papan says that geothermal energy will provide clean and constant power, unlike wind and solar. She goes on to say that it will give the state a reliable energy source as we move toward a carbon-free future.
Keith Excavating has been selected by the Clearlake Council for abatement and demolition services after submitting a bid for $229,400. It met all project requirements yet was the lowest and most responsive bid based on cost effectiveness and contractor qualifications. The contract is funded through Calrecycle’s Illegal Disposal Site grants program. Lee Lambert, code enforcement supervisor, says that the project represents a major step forward as the city aims to improve public safety as it eliminates or clears out more than a dozen dangerous structures or buildings.
It’s that sweet time of the year. From now until March 16, Girl Scout cookie booths will be set up in various locations nationwide. Here in Lake County, there will be cookie booths set up at Safeway in Lakeport and also at Bruno’s Shop Smart on Friday. There will also be a cookie booth in Kelseyville on Friday at Common Grounds Coffee in the Kelseyville Riviera. And, on Saturday the girl scouts will be hawking their goods at both Bruno’s and Safeway again as well as one at Suzie Q’s Donuts in Lakeport. Don’t forget Clearlake. There, the girls will be at a booth at Wal-Mart on Sunday. Many more booths are scheduled through March 16. For a complete schedule of locations go to ilovecookies.org or their main website gsnorcal.org. Yummers!
Congressional Representatives Mike Thompson, a Democrat and Doug LaMalfa, a Republican have introduced legislation that aims to provide homeowners in disaster-prone areas with incentives to protect their properties against wildfires and other risks. The legislation targets the insurance crisis in California, as more natural disasters like fires and floods have compelled insurers to raise rates and in many cases exit the market altogether. They say the Disaster Resiliency and Coverage Act includes a grant program, which would be administered through State governments, which would make households in designated disaster-prone regions eligible for up to $10,000 for hardening mitigation work on their homes and structures. The legislation also provides a 30 percent tax credit for actions taken by individuals, farms, and businesses. Thompson represents the Fourth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Lake, Napa, Solano, Sonoma and Yolo counties.
The Ukiah Valley Water Authority Executive Committee took on some major financial changes at its special meeting last month. Finance Director Dan Buffalo promoted uniform rates to streamline billing and boost efficiency, and the committee voted to standardize fees across its four member agencies, which include Redwood Valley, Millview, Willow, and Ukiah. The board also discussed other issues including infrastructure funding, and the transition of customers to UVWA’s billing system. Some of the standardized fees the Board voted for included a service disconnect fee for $85, a premium disconnect Fee for $100 and a service reconnection Fee for $50. Premium fees are defined as those requiring special services such as after-hour requests. Their next meeting is March 6.
California’s last-resort fire insurance provider, the Fair Plan, will impose a special charge of $1 billion on insurance companies — which will in turn pass the costs along to homeowners. It’s the first time it’s happened in more than 30 years. The state Insurance Department says it’s expecting a loss of roughly $4 billion from the Eaton and Palisades Fires. Roughly 4,700 claims have been filed as of this week, and the plan has already paid out more than $914 million. Insurance commissioner Ricardo Lara approved the request to ensure it stays solvent. Officials say it’s the first time the Fair Plan has sought approval for additional money in more than 30 years.
We’ve got more rain on the way. This next storm will bring the chance of “minor flooding” to Mendocino County according to the National Weather Service beginning later today. Showers are set to develop Thursday with the heaviest precipitation focused across the southern half of the region. Forecasters say for now, they expect 2 to 3 inches of rain across Mendocino and Lake Counties into Friday, and possibly dry conditions by Friday afternoon.
