Christopher Egan, Author at Rural County Representatives Of California

RCRC President and CEO Patrick Blacklock recently joined The Gower Hour for an insightful conversation on the issues and opportunities facing California’s rural counties.

Interview: https://bit.ly/3JnuwTG

“Our concern at this point is the slow pace at which this sort of restructuring of the Forest Service is happening and the large percentage of staff that they have eliminated,” – Staci Heaton

RCRC’s Senior Policy Advocate Staci Heaton is quoted in an AgAlert article that highlights concern with proposed federal budget and staffing cuts to the U.S. Forest Service and how that could impact California’s wildfire response and forest management efforts as fire risk intensifies across the state.

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“It is imperative that any transition process be led by the CPUC and not by any individual carrier to ensure that the interest of all Californians, particularly those in rural and vulnerable communities, are fully protected.”
— Tracy Rhine, Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC)

Assemblymember Tina McKinnor has amended her bill (AB 470) to exempt 40 rural counties from a proposed phase-out of traditional copper landlines, hoping to revive the stalled legislation. The changes come after strong pushback from rural communities, who argue the plan risks cutting off reliable phone service in emergencies. McKinnor’s revised bill would still permit AT&T to end landline service in more urban counties with multiple carriers, but rural advocates remain opposed. The fate of landlines in rural areas will now rest with the California Public Utilities Commission, which is expected to update statewide rules next year.

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In a commentary to The Sacramento Bee, RCRC First Vice Chair and Mariposa County Supervisor Miles Menetrey raises concerns about the lack of community college access in five rural California counties and emphasizes the need for further research, funding, and innovative solutions to expand educational opportunities and address long-standing disparities.

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RCRC Senior Policy Advocate Tracy Rhine is quoted expressing concern over AT&T’s proposal to relinquish Carrier of Last Resort responsibilities, noting that rural areas need reliable communication services, including landlines, until broadband infrastructure is fully established. The issue has sparked broader discussions about the future of landline service in California, particularly in underserved areas.

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At its April 15 meeting, the Imperial County Board of Supervisors reviewed several strategic efforts aimed at enhancing infrastructure, rebuilding housing, and advancing clean energy. RCRC President and CEO Patrick Blacklock emphasized RCRC’s advocacy on behalf of Imperial County at both the state and federal levels.

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California state lawmakers have advanced a bill aimed at easing the conversion of agricultural land into solar farms, after Assemblymember Buffy Wicks amended AB 1156 to address the concerns of rural counties and farming communities. Key changes to the bill—including removing the California Energy Commission’s oversight and giving local governments the authority to opt out of solar easements—were made to secure support from the Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC), which had previously opposed the bill. These adjustments are seen as a necessary step to ensure that rural counties maintain control over their land use decisions while balancing renewable energy goals.

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A total of 40 pre-implementation projects across seven rural Sierra counties—Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, Inyo, Mariposa, Mono, and Tuolumne—have been awarded portions of a $9 million catalyst fund through the California Jobs First initiative. Administered by Sierra Jobs First, a regional collaborative governed by a 21-member council, the funding supports workforce development, sustainable industries, and climate-resilient economic growth. Projects include feasibility studies for biomass and meat processing facilities, new regional training centers, recreation-based job creation, creative reuse infrastructure, and local apprenticeship programs. RCRC is among the recipients, receiving funding for its Sierra Jobs First Industrial Arts Training Program, aimed at strengthening workforce and higher education pathways for a resilient Sierra economy. Final dollar amounts for each project are pending the completion of contracting.

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Governor Gavin Newsom issued a state of emergency proclamation to accelerate wildfire prevention projects across California by streamlining regulatory hurdles, including CEQA. The move is widely supported by foresters, local officials, fire professionals, and conservation groups who recognize the urgency of scaling up forest treatments before peak fire season. Stakeholders such as Butte County Supervisor Doug Teeter, RCRC CEO Patrick Blacklock, and CAL FIRE leaders applauded the executive order for enabling faster implementation of fuel reduction projects and prescribed burns.