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Written by: Editor

Published: 20 July 2012

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Thursday U.S. Congressmen Mike Thompson (D-CA) and Paul Gosar (R-AZ) introduced H.R. 6154, The Public Lands Renewable Energy Development Act, bipartisan legislation that streamlines permitting for renewable energy projects on public lands.

“By streamlining renewable energy projects on public lands, we can reduce our dependency on foreign oil and put Californians back to work,” said Thompson. “This bill is good for our economy, our national security and our environment. It will spur job growth, grow our energy sector, support conservation and help us pay down our deficit.”

“Western states like Arizona contain millions of acres of public lands that are suitable for economic development, but bureaucracy is standing in the way,” said Gosar. “As a true supporter of an all-of-the-above energy approach, I am putting forth these common sense reforms to expand renewable energy production. We can get rural Arizona back on track by facilitating job creation, protecting recreational and tourism areas, and paying down our country’s deficit.”

Currently, obtaining permits for renewable projects on public lands can take years.

The Public Lands Renewable Energy Development Act makes it easier for industry to develop by establishing a straightforward process that treats renewable energy similar to traditional sources of energy development like oil and gas.

Additionally, the legislation establishes royalty rates that encourages production, ensures a return for the taxpayer, and maximizes energy generation.

Specifically, the revenues sales from projects are divided by dispersing:

• 25 percent to the county(ies) in which a project is located;
• 25 percent to the state in which a project is located;
• 15 percent for a renewable energy permit processing fund;
• 25 percent to a fund to support conservation; and
• 10 percent to deficit reduction in the federal budget.

Since public lands are not taxable, this bill will allow state and local governments to have a share of the revenues from the sales of energy production on lands within their borders.

These dollars will help local governments deliver services and develop capital improvement projects such as road maintenance, public safety and law enforcement.

The bill was referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources. Thompson and Gosar’s bill is co-sponsored by Mike Coffman (R-CO), Jim Costa (D-CA), Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Cathy McMorris Rogers (R-WA), Jared Polis (D-CO), Michael Simpson (R-ID) and Scott Tipton (R-CO).

Thompson represents California’s 1st Congressional District, which includes the Counties of Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Sonoma, Napa and Yolo.

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Written by: Editor

Published: 18 July 2012

UKIAH, Calif. – LACO Associates has earned accreditation from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and acceptance from the Division of the State Architect (DSA) for their Ukiah laboratory located at 311 S. Main St.

In addition to these accreditations, LACO has added several field and laboratory staff members to support the growing demand for construction materials testing and special field inspections, and the Ukiah lab is prepared to serve Mendocino, Sonoma and Lake counties more efficiently and economically than the firm’s Eureka lab.

Mendocino County has only two labs with these certifications, including LACO. There are three certified labs in Sonoma County. LACO’s Eureka lab is one of the only two such labs in Humboldt County.

Both LACO’s Ukiah and Eureka labs are now ready to work on projects for DOT, FHWA, FAA, and numerous local, state, and regional authorities as well as public schools (K-12 and community colleges).

Their capabilities include testing for earthwork, foundations, mix-design reviews, batch plant inspection, concrete sampling, pre-stressed concrete, welding, post-installed anchors, high-strength bolting and fireproofing.

AASHTO accreditation and DSA acceptance demonstrate that the lab rigorously calibrates their equipment and maintains strict quality management systems to support code required construction testing.

LACO provides integrated solutions for development, infrastructure, and geo-environmental projects. The firm has been in business since 1954, and has offices in Eureka, Ukiah and Santa Rosa.

LACO offers engineering, building and site design, planning and permitting, geology and geotechnical, environmental science, materials testing and inspection, survey and drilling services for the North Coast.

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Written by: Editor

Published: 17 July 2012

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Lake County Websites & Computer Repair offers monthly computer workshops for novices every fourth Saturday.  

This month’s workshop, scheduled for 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. July 28, is entitled “Organizing your Photos, Files, and Folders on your Computer.”  

It will be held at 15642 Armstrong St. in Middletown in the Jazzercise Center, two blocks behind the post office.

This workshop features a different format than has been offered in the past.  

During the first hour, presenter Mark Rudiger, will teach participants how to organize information and locate items easily.  

During the second hour, students will apply what they have learned on their own laptop with their own photos and documents.  

There will be four instructors on hand who are adept at file management on computers ready to help students as they work.

Participants will need a laptop. Those who don’t have one are still welcome to come to the workshop to learn and take notes to apply at home.

Mark Rudiger is the owner of Lake County Websites & Computer Repair and has more than 18 years of experience installing, trouble-shooting and working with computers.  

If you have a laptop, bring it along and connect to the high-speed Internet. If you don’t, you will still get all the same information as Rudiger’s laptop screen will be projected on a 120-inch screen so you can follow along.

To keep informed and receive information on future workshops, go to www.facebook.com/LCSMGroup and “like” the page.  

To register, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call Mark Rudiger at 707-987-1923 by July 27.  No registrations will be accepted the day of the workshop.  Admission is $10 per person.  Space is limited.