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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-1) on Thursday led a bipartisan group of representatives in calling on President Obama to protect local clean energy royalties from harmful budget cuts.
The letter urges the president to not repeal the sharing of geothermal royalty payments with counties.
Because of the high burdens that geothermal production places on the counties where it is developed, counties currently share in the revenue of the federal receipts. Revenue sharing has been a target of cuts in the past.
“The geothermal energy produced in California’s counties is good for our environment, reduces our dependence on foreign oil and helps our economy by spurring green job creation,” said Thompson. “Repealing geothermal royalty payments to counties is a short sighted plan that will do nothing to reduce our deficit. Also, it is not fiscally responsible. It will kill jobs, cripple future green job growth and slow our economic recovery – all of which will only make our deficit larger. If a community invests in developing geothermal energy they deserve to get their fair share in returns.”
Last year, Lake County received $800,000 a year in geothermal royalties. The county has received among the highest reimbursement amounts nationwide thanks to The Geysers geothermal steamfield.
Revenue sharing was first started through the bipartisan Energy Policy Act of 2005. Geothermal revenue sharing accounts for less than one half of one percent of the total federal deficit. Ending this sharing would negatively impact counties.
Currently, counties use geothermal revenues to pay for governmental services, such as road maintenance, public safety and law enforcement, and conservation easements.
Many of the counties receiving revenue from geothermal receipts are small, rural counties like Lake, facing uncertain budget situations.
The loss of such revenue for these counties could result in the elimination or reduction of essential services.
"Geothermal energy brings jobs and growth to Nevada with 20 plants in operation providing clean, reliable electrical capacity to the grid and significant additional capacity under development," said Congressman Amodei. "Given the important role of the counties in the development of this domestic energy source, it's only proper that they should share in the revenue of the federal receipts."
“By generating geothermal energy, my home county of Sonoma is making an important contribution to an environmentally sustainable future,” said Congresswoman Woolsey (CA-6). “The royalties Sonoma earns from that production pay for the services our people expect and deserve from their local government, at a time when our county is facing a fiscal crunch. This very modest federal investment yields a significant return – these royalties must not be eliminated in the President’s budget.”
“In his State of the Union address, President Obama called on America to double down on our clean energy investments. I agree, and that’s why I support preserving incentives for geothermal development, which help us produce affordable American-made renewable energy and strengthen our energy independence,” Congressman Garamendi (CA-10) said. “This revenue is essential to many rural communities, especially in Northern California. Cutting geothermal royalties would be shortsighted, devastating vital public services while doing virtually nothing to address the deficit. I urge the President to maintain his commitment to clean energy by preserving geothermal royalties for local communities.”
“Geothermal development comes at a cost,” Thompson continued. “Our counties spend money on public safety, road maintenance and law enforcement in and around areas where geothermal is produced.”
The full text of the letter is below.
February 1, 2012
President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave
Washington, DC 20500
Dear President Obama,
As you draft your Fiscal Year 2013 Budget proposal, we urge you not to include a repeal of the sharing of geothermal royalty payments to counties. We understand the need to propose a fiscally prudent budget, but repealing geothermal royalty payments to counties is a short sighted method that does nearly nothing to solve our fiscal problems.
In the bipartisan Energy Policy Act of 2005, Congress decided that because of the high burdens geothermal production places on the counties where geothermal development is located, these counties should share in the revenue of the federal receipts. In turn, counties have used these revenues to pay for critical governmental services, such as road maintenance, public safety and law enforcement, and conservation easements. This revenue sharing has also made counties vested partners, and ultimately champions, in the continued development of geothermal energy — a clean, renewable, and domestic energy source that provides jobs in rural areas.
Ending the geothermal revenue sharing plan would have a significant negative impact on our districts, while the overall effect on our nation’s fiscal well-being would be miniscule — less than $7 million a year. Many of the counties that receive revenue from geothermal receipts are small, rural counties facing precarious budget situations. The loss of such revenue for these counties could result in the elimination or reduction of essential services. As such, we urge you not to include the repeal of geothermal revenue sharing with counties in your Fiscal Year 2013 Budget proposal.
We appreciate your attention to this issue and look forward to working with you as you prepare your budget.
Congressman represents California’s First Congressional District, which includes the Counties of Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Sonoma, Napa and Yolo.
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UPPER LAKE, Calif. – A two-vehicle crash resulted in minor injuries and caused a minor blockage on Highway 20 Thursday evening.
The collision, involving a sedan and a pickup, occurred shortly before 6:30 p.m. on West Highway 20 near Old Highway 20 not far from the Lake and Mendocino County line, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Reports from the scene said the pickup was on its side following the crash.
Cal Fire and CHP units from Mendocino County and Northshore Fire from Lake County responded to the crash, where both eastbound lanes of Highway 20 were reported to be blocked.
Firefighters called for extrication tools due to one person being trapped in a vehicle.
Radio reports indicated there were two patients, both with minor injuries. One later was transported to Sutter Lakeside Hospital in Lakeport.
The CHP reported that advance warning was needed to warn drivers approaching the scene. Flares were reportedly placed at the scene.
Fire Chief Jay Beristianos terminated the incident at 7:46 p.m., according to scanner traffic.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Gang Task Force made seven arrests during a countywide gang sweep conducted late last month.
The Lake County Gang Task Force operation took place on Monday, Jan. 23, according to Sgt. Steve Brooks of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
Brooks said the purpose of the sweep was to conduct parole and probation searches.
Arrested were Justin Thomas Cordero, 27, of Clearlake, probation violation; Aaron Lee Pifer, 22, of Nice, probation violation; Brandy Nichole Lopez, 22, of Lucerne, under the influence of a controlled substance; Shawn Patrick Stallings, 38, of Lakeport, parole violation; Curtis Frank Anderson III, 39, of Lucerne, probation violation; Rickey Lee Floyd Jr., 27, of Clearlake, under the influence of a controlled substance; and 25-year0old Nicholas Stephen Jarvis of Kelseyville, who had a misdemeanor arrest warrant.
The task force is comprised of personnel from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Lakeport Police Department, Clearlake Police Department, California Highway Patrol and the Lake County Probation Department, Brooks said.
During the Jan. 23 sweep, the task force was divided into two teams. Brooks said one team worked in the city of Clearlake and the other team worked in the North end of the county.
He said they conducted 25 probation and parole searches and five warrant services, and noted the task force considered the operation to have been very successful.
Brooks said the task force’s continuing proactive enforcement efforts are designed to send a clear message to criminals, gang members and drug dealers that Lake County will not tolerate their illicit endeavors.
Anyone with information that can assist the Lake County Sheriff’s Gang Task Force or Narcotics Task Force with this effort is encouraged to call the anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.
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The Legislature has passed a bill to restore school transportation funding, and the North Coast’s legislators are urging Gov. Jerry Brown to sign it.
On Thursday morning SB 81 passed the Assembly, moving on to be heard and passed in both the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee before the full Senate passed it 26-8.
SB 81 seeks to undo the trigger cut made by Gov. Jerry Brown which eliminates funding for the Home-to-School Transportation Program.
The bill would replace the $248 million cut to the transportation program, which disproportionately impacts rural and low income students, with a much smaller, more equitable reduction which impacts all school districts in California.
The midyear cuts amounted to a loss of $875,000 in transportation funding for Lake County schools, according to the Lake County Office of Education.
Both Sen. Noreen Evans and Assemblyman Wes Chesbro, Lake County’s state legislators, are urging the governor to sign the bill.
Following the vote on the bill, Chesbro requested that the bill be fast-tracked in order for it to get to the governor as soon as possible.
“I am grateful that many of my colleagues joined me in getting SB 81 passed so swiftly,” Chesbro said. “Quick passage of this bill is especially important because of the impacts on children and their educational opportunities. Many school districts in my area are considering laying off personnel and some have already sent out pink slips.”
“Children can’t learn if they can’t get to school,” said Evans. “SB 81 was the result of both houses and both sides of the aisle coming together to find a solution that will get kids to school.”
“Today, thousands of parents and students are relieved to hear our leaders agree we must keep our school buses rolling,” said Allan Clark, president of the California School Employees Association. “School buses are by far the safest way to get kids to school, so we hope the governor will quickly sign this bill.”
SB 81 was introduced by the Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review, of which Evans is a member.
Home to School Transportation is particularly important to rural schools on the North Coast. Cuts in transportation funding can cause a double hit on school districts’ budgets. Without SB 81, school districts would lose large chunks of transportation funding and then lose out on ADA funding due to students inability to get to school.
“This is the survival of my community," Chesbro added. “The future of these communities depends on educating children and getting them to school.”
SB 81 is headed to the governor for his consideration and will go into effect immediately if it is signed. Brown has reportedly indicated his support for the legislation.
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NOTE: The article has been updated to reflect the board's final decision on the credential screening process.
LOWER LAKE, Calif. – As it's facing one of its biggest financial challenges in recent years – the need to cut $2.8 million from its 2012-13 budget – the Konocti Unified School District also is beginning the process of searching for a new superintendent.
Dr. Bill MacDougall, who rose from the position of Carlé Continuation High School principal four years ago to be district superintendent, has announced he'll retire at the end of June.
MacDougall told Lake County News on Wednesday night that he submitted his resignation letter to the board just before Christmas.
The selection process for his successor was on the agenda of a more than four-hour-long Wednesday night meeting, at which the board also had its first public discussion regarding a zero based budget model.
MacDougall and the district management team are proposing that zero based budget model – which focuses on providing the bare minimum services and then building upward – in order to reduce the coming year’s budget by $2.8 million.
Getting the district through the current budgeting process is a priority for MacDougall before he retires, he told Lake County News.
In addition to the $2.8 million reduction in funding the district is facing for 2012-13, MacDougall said the district has experienced $3.6 million in reductions in the previous three years.
Board Trustee Hank Montgomery requested the board discuss the new superintendent search and establish guidelines for the process, as well as the compensation they would offer.
The board asked MacDougall for his opinion on how the recruitment should take place.
He proposed they welcome applications both from within the district and from outside.
“It's a very important position,” he said. “It's a very important time for Konocti.”
MacDougall said the zero based model is meant to offer building blocks for the future, and he said he believed it will make the district strong – both educationally and fiscally – going forward.
“At that point you're looking for the vision for the future,” he said.
MacDougall recently attended a conference for superintendents in Monterey and handed out fliers on the job to assistant superintendents and superintendents from all over the state.
“There are excellent candidates both in house and outside,” he said.
MacDougall also met a retired headhunter while in Monterey, and told him about the district. He said he spoke with pride about Konocti Unified in his conversation with the man. “There's a lot to be proud of here.”
In turn, MacDougall said the man offered his services – which it was noted at the meeting generally run between $10,000 and $20,000 for an executive recruitment – for free to help the district.
MacDougall said he believes the district can find the right person, and hopes that they find a successor far stronger and more knowledgeable than he is.
Board President Anita Gordon assured MacDougall that the future superintendent would have big shoes – or, offered Board member Herb Gura, sneakers – to fill.
Montgomery wanted the board to have an active part in screening candidates up front, suggesting that the Lake County Office of Education could begin the process by double-checking credentials.
The board set a March 30 deadline for applications, with applications to be forwarded immediately to Marty Aarreberg in the superintendent’s office for a credential check instead of the Lake County Office of Education.
In the middle of April the board will meet to begin its own applicant screenings, with the goal of having initial interviews start the last week of April in hopes of having a candidate selected by the end of May.
A 17-member committee of composed of teachers, classified employees, board members, parents, community members and a student representative will take part, said Gordon.
Beyond the selection process, the board had to decide what salary range it could offer.
MacDougall's salary, including benefits, is just over $121,000 a year. Gordon said he has refused to take any raises during his four years as superintendent.
That salary is well below the state average for similarly sized schools of $148,000, said district Business Manager Laurie Desimone.
It’s also low based on a countywide comparison of school district superintendent salaries and benefit packages district staff presented to the board, along with the superintendent's current job description.
That countywide salary comparison shows that while MacDougall heads the largest school district in the county – with more than 3,000 students – he is the second-lowest paid superintendent. Only the Lucerne Elementary School superintendent receives less.
The survey showed that the highest-paid superintendent in the county is Upper Lake Elementary’s, with more than $146,000 in salary and more than $15,000 in benefits, for a total of just over $162,000.
During the meeting, a teacher told the board that he and fellow teachers wanted the job description to include a requirement of past teaching experience in order for the candidate to have an understanding of their work. They also wanted to see a workshop take place to discuss desirable traits for MacDougall's successor.
Ultimately, after discussing whether to offer a range or a single number, board members took Desimone's suggestion of listing MacDougall's salary in the recruitment materials and offering to make that amount negotiable based on experience.
MacDougall agreed that offering to be negotiable on the final amount is one way to appeal to candidates.
He worried that his salary level may not attract many candidates, noting that many of the superintendents he met recently at the Monterey conference were making $250,000 and up in the $300,000-plus range.
“You want somebody who really wants the job,” he said.
MacDougall added that if a candidate is looking for a district where they can serve people, Konocti Unified is an incredible district for that.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Local officials and veterinarians are partnering in an effort to reduce the county's number of unwanted cats, which has resulted in thousands of animals being euthanized annually.
Lake County Animal Care and Control reported that Lake, like many other counties, has a serious cat overpopulation problem.
Unfortunately, that problem has resulted in the county having the highest feline euthanasia rate in the state.
According to shelter statistics, of the 4,000 animals turned into the shelter in 2011, 65 percent – or 2,600 – were cats.
Of those 2,600 cats, 18 percent – or 480 – were adopted or transferred to a rescue; the remaining 2,120 cats were destroyed.
This is a cycle that just keeps repeating year after year, according to Animal Care and Control officials. Without some kind of significant intervention, the cycle will not be broken.
Many people in the county start out feeding one or two stray cats because they don’t want them to go hungry, not realizing that one or two cats soon leads to eight or nine, according to the report.
Within a few weeks time, they’re now dealing with a colony of 12 to 15 cats, which in turn will continue to grow and reproduce exponentially unless action is taken.
That agency suggested that the appropriate action is spaying or neutering cats in order to stop the cycle, because taking them into the shelter, holding them as stray animals and then trying to adopt them out to a public who doesn’t want them isn’t working.
That approach is costly to the taxpayers, and agency officials suggest that destroying thousands of healthy cats each year isn’t a socially acceptable solution.
Many agencies work with local groups on “trap neuter release” – or TNR – programs. TNRs are a wonderful idea, but must be properly maintained in order to work, according to Animal Care and Control.
Many people start out with good intentions, spaying and neutering, vaccinating, releasing and feeding colonies of cats only to find out after they start, the property they are using isn’t allowed to be used for that purpose, the agency reported.
First and foremost, with any TNR program, use of the property for this purpose must be established and granted by the property owner. Additionally, in order to maintain a colony in one area, it has to be monitored and fed on a daily basis, animal control officials said. Local rescue groups and volunteers are necessary in order to follow up with this maintenance and care.
In light of Lake County’s euthanasia status and cat overpopulation problem, local veterinarians have offered to help by providing assistance with cat alterations.
Together, local vets are hoping to provide as many as 20 surgeries a month through a program they call “Catsnip,” which is managed by Vicki Chamberlain.
Additionally, starting in March of this year with the grand opening of Animal Care and Control's new medical clinic, the shelter will offer the same service for those people who wish to keep the community cats in their neighborhood, rather than simply turn them over to the shelter for euthanasia.
Although local vets and the animal shelter will be providing a small scale spay/neuter program for community cats, what the county really needs is a large-scale, high-volume TNR program to really make a difference in the cat population and euthanasia rates, Animal Care and Control said.
For questions about having feral or community cats altered in your neighborhood, please contact Vicki Chamberlain at 707-263-3958.
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