Mendocino County is launching the Economic Development by Industry Sector meeting series, which is set to kick off next month. The series targets economic growth and innovation on a local level and the meetings are designed to attract business leaders, educational institutions, and community members. The goal: to create industry-specific steps to help and support long term economic development in the county. The meetings will be in an in-person workshop-style. There’s also a virtual listening option available. The Behavioral Healthcare Workforce Sector Meeting, which is the first in the series, is tentatively set for March 3rd from 2-4pm at the Behavioral Health Training Center in Redwood Valley. For more information, check out the Economic Development Division webpage or you can send an email to econdev.
A proposed California bill would ban retailers from selling certain anti-aging products to shoppers under the age of 18. Under AB 728, introduced by Assemblymember Alex Lee, retailers would be prohibited from selling cosmetic products to minor shoppers if the products contain ingredients including but not limited to vitamin A and its derivatives, including retinol and products containing an alpha hydroxy acid, glycolic acid, and citric acid. Dermatologists say they like that kids want to take care of their skin, but would rather them get into the habit of using age-appropriate products. They say products created for mature skin could be harmful for kids. They’re also concerned the craze has popularized an unhealthy fixation with one’s looks. An earlier version of the bill failed in May, and if passed, the soonest this bill could be signed into law would be October.
Later today, the Ukiah City Council will consider charging higher fees for new residential or commercial developments in order to pay for local firefighting services. The resolution being considered by the council, which will be voted on during today’s meeting, states the increased fees would help pay for the city’s fire facilities and new equipment, including emergency vehicles. UVFA Fire Chief Doug Hutchison says the initial fees, set back in 2008, included $0.43 per square foot for new single-family residences. If approved by the council, the new fees would charge $1.07 per square foot for new single-family residential developments, $1.22 for multi-family developments, $0.89 for commercial developments and $1.19 for office spaces. It would be a one-time fee for developments and only apply to new construction within the UVFA’s jurisdiction. The meeting is set for 5:15 this evening.
FYI…Dispose of your batteries correctly. Ukiah Waste Solutions says that a small battery embedded in a pet fountain caught fire at its materials resource facility on Sunday. While the damage was minor, they say rechargeable batteries are considered e-waste and must be thrown out at the Ukiah transfer station and not with your regular trash.
The updated clean air rules the California Air Resources Board was hoping to put in place, which were expected to raise gas prices in the state, are now officially paused. According to a notice on CARB’s website, the changes the board approved to its Low Carbon Fuel Standards have been rejected by the state’s Office of Administrative Law. The OAL says parts of the new clean air rules did not meet state legal standards requiring them to be clear enough for the public and those directly impacted by the regulation to understand. CARB has 120 days to address the issue.
Sonoma Clean Power is looking down for new power sources in the future. SCP is targeting the large geothermal field underground, located below Sonoma and Mendocino Counties, called the GeoZone. It makes sense since they’re sitting on top of hot volcanic rock that is already fractured. So you know, traditional geothermal technology uses natural steam coming out of the ground. And, Unlike oil and gas fracking, geothermal doesn’t need to inject toxic chemicals underground. SCP is looking to partner with Chevron New Energies, CYRQ Energy and Eavor to create clean energy jobs for the region. SCP, which aims to add 600 megawatts of new energy by creating power from within the GeoZone, has been given the green light from the California State legislature. If this new source of power is created, it will eliminate the need to import energy from Southern California, Nevada and Utah.
