Community

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Written by: Editor

Published: 02 October 2021

As part of its efforts to help customers financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Pacific Gas and Electric Co. announced that service disconnections will not resume this year.

The moratorium on energy service disconnections put in place by the California Public Utilities Commission in March 2020 is formally ending today but service disconnections will not resume in 2021.

PG&E is automatically enrolling all residential and small business customers with past due balances over 60 days in new extended payment arrangements.

The company is also closely monitoring the development and implementation of the California Arrearage Payment Program, or CAPP, included in the 2021-22 California State Budget.

As part of the CAPP process, PG&E will not resume disconnections for residential and commercial customers eligible for CAPP until the CAPP program is finalized.

“We’ve been partnering with local, state and utility leaders to ensure our customers in need have access to critical assistance as the impacts of the pandemic continue to evolve and the statewide disconnection moratorium ends today. PG&E will not immediately start shutting off service for nonpayment,” said Marlene Santos, PG&E executive vice president and chief customer officer.

The newly established CAPP program will offer financial assistance for California energy utility customers to help reduce past due energy bill balances accrued during the pandemic.

Administered by the Department of Community Services and Development, or CSD, the CAPP program dedicates $1 billion in federal American Rescue Plan Act funding to address Californian's energy debts incurred from March 4, 2020, to June 15, 2021.

Utility customers do not need to apply to receive assistance under the CAPP program. If a customer’s account is eligible — 60 days or more behind on payments — a credit will be automatically applied to some or all the customer’s bill, depending on availability of funds and the combined needs of all utility customers.

For months, PG&E has been working closely with CSD on program implementation details. PG&E anticipates CAPP funding to be applied directly to eligible customers’ accounts in the first quarter of 2022.

To coincide with the end of the moratorium today, PG&E has also automatically enrolled more than 450,000 eligible residential and small business customers in the new COVID-19 payment plan program this month. The newly established program automatically enrolls eligible customers who are 60 days past due in extended payment plans. Customers will be automatically enrolled on an ongoing basis based on eligibility through September 2022 to avoid service disconnections. Customers automatically enrolled in the new extended payment plans will be eligible for CAPP funding.

Ways for customers to save on energy bills

PG&E encourages customers struggling to pay their bills to learn more about the following programs.

Some customers can enroll in various programs without impacting eligibility for the extended payment plan or CAPP funding:

— Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) offers up to $1,000 to pay eligible household energy costs.

— Relief for Energy Assistance through Community Help (REACH) Program offers one-time financial assistance to qualified customers with past-due bills.

— Arrearage Management Plan offers up to $8,000 in unpaid balance forgiveness, if a customer is enrolled in the California Alternate Rates for Energy Program or Family Electric Rate Assistance Program, owes a specific bill amount and is more than 90 days past due.

— PG&E’s Medical Baseline Program as well as various external programs such as the California COVID-19 Rent Relief Act helps income-eligible households pay rent and utilities, both for past due and future payments. Renters and landlords are eligible to apply.

Customers having a hard time paying their bills should contact PG&E immediately at 800- 743-5000 or visit www.pge.com/covid19. Financial resources for business customers are available here.

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Written by: Lake County Land Trust

Published: 01 October 2021

UPPER LAKE, Calif. — The Lake County Land Trust is continuing to open its Rodman Preserve at 6350 Westlake Road for weekly Saturday walks.

For the winter schedule gates will open at 9 a.m. when visitors are welcome to arrive.

These will be self-guided walks from 9 a.m. to noon. A Land Trust volunteer will be present at the Nature Center to welcome guests.

The Land Trust is still honoring COVID-19 restrictions and the small nature center is closed to the public. Please observe COVID-19 protocol and wear a mask when passing others on the trails.

The walk at Rodman Preserve is a moderate walk on well-groomed trails. Total distance is about a mile and half and sturdy walking shoes, water and hat are highly recommended. Bring your binoculars to enjoy views of songbirds, raptors, and waterfowl.

For information, call the Lake County Land Trust at 707-262-0707 and leave a message or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

And don’t mistake the Lake County Rodman Slough County Park (which is down the road from the preserve on the Nice-Lucerne Cutoff) with the Rodman Preserve which is a left turn off of the cutoff onto Westlake Road.

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Written by: Caltrans‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌

Published: 01 October 2021

NORTH‌‌ ‌‌COAST, ‌‌ ‌‌Calif.‌‌ ‌‌ — ‌ ‌Caltrans‌‌ ‌‌reports‌‌ ‌‌that‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌following‌‌ ‌‌road‌‌ ‌‌projects‌‌ ‌‌will‌‌ ‌‌be‌‌ ‌‌taking‌‌ ‌‌place‌‌ ‌‌‌around‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌North‌‌ ‌‌Coast‌‌ ‌‌during‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌coming‌‌ ‌‌week. ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌
‌‌‌ ‌
Included‌‌ ‌‌are‌‌ ‌‌Mendocino‌‌ ‌‌County‌‌ ‌‌projects‌‌ ‌‌that‌‌ ‌‌may‌‌ ‌‌impact‌‌ ‌‌Lake‌‌ ‌‌County‌‌ ‌‌commuters, as well as work in Del Norte and Humboldt counties.
‌‌‌ ‌
Caltrans‌‌ ‌‌advises‌‌ ‌‌motorists‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌drive‌‌ ‌‌with‌‌ ‌‌caution‌‌ ‌‌when‌‌ ‌‌approaching‌‌ ‌‌work‌‌ ‌‌areas‌‌ ‌‌and‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌be‌‌ ‌‌‌prepared‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌stop‌‌ ‌‌at‌‌ ‌‌traffic‌‌ ‌‌control‌‌ ‌‌stations. ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌
‌‌‌ ‌
The‌‌ ‌‌Caltrans‌‌ ‌‌Traffic‌‌ ‌‌Operations‌‌ ‌‌Office‌‌ ‌‌has‌‌ ‌‌reviewed‌‌ ‌‌each‌‌ ‌‌project‌‌ ‌‌and‌‌ ‌‌determined‌‌ ‌‌that‌‌ ‌‌individual‌‌ ‌‌‌project‌‌ ‌‌delays‌‌ ‌‌are‌‌ ‌‌expected‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌be‌‌ ‌‌less‌‌ ‌‌than‌‌ ‌‌the‌‌ ‌‌statewide‌‌ ‌‌policy‌‌ ‌‌maximum‌‌ ‌‌of‌‌ ‌‌30‌‌ ‌‌minutes‌‌ ‌‌unless‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌
noted‌‌ ‌‌otherwise. ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌
‌‌‌ ‌
For‌‌ ‌‌updates‌‌ ‌‌to‌‌ ‌‌this‌‌ ‌‌list‌‌ ‌‌check‌‌ ‌‌QuickMap‌‌ ‌‌at‌‌ ‌‌‌www.dot.ca.gov‌‌‌ or‌‌ ‌‌1-800-GAS-ROAD‌‌ ‌‌‌(1-800-427-7623). ‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌

LAKE‌‌ ‌‌COUNTY‌‌ ‌‌‌ ‌
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Highway‌‌ ‌‌20

— Grinding Operation from Road 305D to Route 29 South will continue. Moving traffic controls will be in effect overnight from 8 p.m. to 11 a.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

— Highway construction near Saratoga Springs Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

— Grinding operation from Bachelor Valley to Route 29 South will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect overnight from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

— Shoulder work will occur near the Route 29 junction on Friday, Oct. 1. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

— Construction will occur north of Lucerne on Friday, Oct. 1. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

— Rokstad Power has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment permit for utility work at Country Club Drive. One-way traffic control will continue to be in effect from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

— Striping operation from North Fork Cache Creek to Walker Ridge Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect weekdays from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 20-minute delays.

— Highway construction from North Fork Cache Creek to Colusa County Line will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect overnight weekdays from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

Highway 29

— Construction from Route 281 to Private Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.

— Construction from Merritt Road to Mockingbird Lane will occur on Friday, Oct. 1. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

— Bridge work at the Hill Road East Overcrossing will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Highway 1

— PG&E has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment permit for utility work from Little River to Road 500A on Wednesday, Oct. 6. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

— PG&E has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment permit for utility work from Boice Lane to Ocean Drive on Tuesday, Oct. 5. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

— PG&E has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment permit for tree work from Redwood Grove Picnic Area to Coast Highway Lookout starting Monday, Oct. 4. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 20

— Slide removal two miles west of Three Chop Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

— Highway construction east of Three Chop Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.

Highway 101

— Slide removal from Comminsky Station Road to Pieta Creek Bridge will continue. Northbound Lane closures will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

— PG&E has been granted a Caltrans Encroachment Permit for utility work from Rosetti Creek to Mountain House Road will continue. Southbound lane closures will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

— Bridge work from the Presswood Overhead Bridge to the Hensley Creek Undercrossing will continue. Northbound and Southbound lane closures will be in effect overnight from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Motorists should anticipate minimal delays.

— Emergency bridge repairs at the North State Undercrossing Bridge will continue. There will be a full closure of the Northbound onramp overnight from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Motorists are advised to take alternative routes.

— Work south of Ridgewood Ranch Road will continue. Lane closures will be in effect in both directions. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

— Moss Cove Safety Rest Area will be closed through fall 2021.

— Paving work from Spyrock Road to the Empire Camp Rest Area northbound will continue. Lane closures will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Motorists should anticipate minor slowdowns.

— Empire Camp Safety Rest Area will be closed through fall 2021.

Highway 162

— Seismic work near the Eel River Bridge will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect overnight from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Motorists can expect 15-minute delays.

DEL NORTE COUNTY

Highway 101

— Bridge work near Old Hunter Creek Road will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

— Emergency work at Last Chance Grade will continue. Motorists should anticipate 30-minute delays at all hours.

— Shoulder improvements in Crescent City from Citizen’s Dock Road to Ninth Street will continue. Lane restrictions will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

— Bridge work in the Smith River area will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 p.m. to 10 a.m. weeknights. Motorists should anticipate 20-minute delays.

Highway 199

— Work at the Hiouchi Bridge will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays weekdays.

— Work at the Mary Adam Peacock Bridge near Gasquet will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays weekdays.

— Work at Middle Fork Smith River Bridge 1 16 east of Idlewild will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays weekdays.

HUMBOLDT COUNTY

Highway 36

— Work at Van Duzen River Bridge 4 284 near Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

— Work at Van Duzen River Bridge 4 293 in Bridgeville will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

— Wall work near the McClellan Mountain Summit will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

— Shoulder work near Dinsmore will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

Highway 96

— Pavement work in the Weitchpec area will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate 15-minute delays.

— Bridge work east of Orleans will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

— Bridge work at Camp Creek Road will continue. A full closure will be in effect on Tuesday, Oct. 5, from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., and on Wednesday, Oct. 6, from 10 to 11:30 p.m. Motorists should use an alternate route.

Highway 101

— Bridge work south of Phillipsville will continue. Lane closures will be in effect weekdays. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns. A northbound onramp closure will also be in effect. Motorists should use an alternate route.

— Construction from the Hookton Road Overcrossing to 14th Street in Eureka will continue. Lane and ramp closures will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns and use alternate ramps when necessary.

— Pavement and utility work from Myrtle Avenue to Cole and Jacobs Avenue in Eureka will continue. A southbound lane restriction will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

— Pavement and barrier work from the Arcata Overhead Bridge to the 200 junction south of McKinleyville will continue. Lane and ramp closures will be in effect in both directions from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. weeknights. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

Highway 211

— Work at the Salt River Bridge between Fernbridge and Ferndale will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 254

— Utility work south of Miranda will occur on Wednesday, Oct. 8. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

Highway 255

— Utility work near Manila will occur on Oct. 1. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Motorists should anticipate 10-minute delays.

Highway 299

— Bridge work at the 200 or North Bank Road junction will continue. Lane closures will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate minor traffic slowdowns.

— Pavement work 4 miles east of Blue Lake will begin on Monday, Oct. 4. One-way traffic control will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. Motorists should anticipate five-minute delays.

— Construction and fire response from the Willow Creek area to east of the Trinity County line will continue. One-way traffic control will be in effect. Motorists should anticipate 20-minute delays.