Announcements regarding hearings, grants, and public comment notices of importance to California's rural counties.
2nd Annual Virtual Statewide Conference on Illegal Dumping Coming this Spring - Register Now!
The 2nd Annual Virtual Statewide Conference on Illegal Dumping is happening April 19-21, 2022 The Conference will begin at 9:00 AM daily. This virtual conference is free to attend and designed for elected officials, city and county staff, public works agency employees, community based organizations, faith groups, community members and anyone interested in illegal dumping, community beautification or blight removal. Registration is now open! See here to register or for more information.
PG&E Safety Net Program – How to File a Claim
If you are a residential customer who has gone without power for at least 48 hours because of severe storm conditions, you may qualify for an automatic payment under our Safety Net program. This program provides a payment of $25 - $100, which we pay automatically about 60 days following the storm outage. However, you may submit a claim if you believe that PG&E caused a loss for which you should be compensated. You can make this type of claim using various methods, but online is the fastest way for it to be processed.
View this message from PG&E for details.
A Message from the CA Citizens Redistricting Commission: What New Districts Mean
After receiving reports about confusion over when the new district maps go into effect, the California Citizens Redistricting Commission offers clarification in a special message. View the message here.
Career Opportunities
UC Cooperative Extension Broadband Seeks Broadband Deployment/Utilization Advisor (2 positions) - UC Cooperative Extension is hiring for two Broadband Deployment/Utilization Advisor positions. The Broadband Deployment/Utilization Advisor will implement an innovative extension education and applied research program around the intersection of rural broadband access and utilization and associated economic and community development opportunities.
- Location: Butte County See here for details.
- Location: Bishop, Inyo County See here for details.
To assure full consideration, application packets must be received by February 18, 2022 – (open until filled)
CDFA Accepting Concept Proposals for 2022 Fertilizer Research and Education Program Grant Cycle
The California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) is now accepting concept proposals for the 2022 grant cycle. FREP’s competitive grant program funds research that advances fertilization practices and minimizes environmental impacts of fertilizing materials.
Applicants are invited to submit two-page concept proposals to FREP by Friday, January 28, 2022. Concepts submitted should be aligned with at least one of the identified priority research areas. For details, see the CDFA Grant Program webpage here. For more information, please send email inquiries to FREP@cdfa.ca.gov.
California Air Resources Board Webinars on Regulatory Compliance Training
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is offering a variety of training webinars for regulatory compliance on issues affecting public fleets such as Off-Road Regulations, Truck and Bus Rules, and Diesel Truck Rules.
The New Programs and Regulations course covers the requirements of existing regulations and then CARB's new regulatory programs that will eventually be in effect. The goals for this class are to cover the proposed program elements and elicit participation in the regulatory process.
Date: February 3, 2022
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Webinar: Register
Date: March 31, 2022
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Webinar: Register
The Compliance Overview: Truck & Bus Rule, Off-Road Regulation, and Portable Equipment course include the following topics:
Truck and Bus Regulation:
- Regulation Applicability
- Engine Model Year Schedule
- Exemptions & Extensions
- How to Report for Regulation Flexibilities
- Broker and Dispatcher Requirements
- DMV Registration
Periodic Smoke Inspection Program (PSIP):
- Regulation Applicability
- Program Updates
Advanced Clean Truck (ACT)
- Manufacturers ZEV Sales Requirements
- One-Time Reporting
- Future ZEV Rules
In-Use Off-Road Diesel Vehicle Regulation:
- Regulation Applicability
- Requirements Currently in Effect
- Future Compliance Deadlines
Portable Equipment Registration Program (PERP) & Airborne Toxic Control Measure (ATCM):
- PERP Eligibility
- Program Requirements
- ATCM Program & Updates
- Enforcement & Inspections
Date: January 27, 2022
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Webinar: Register
Date: March 17, 2022
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Webinar: Register
The In-Use Off-Road Diesel-Fueled Fleets Regulation (Off-Road Regulation) requires fleet owners to report to CARB, label their off-road vehicles, and reduce emissions from older equipment. This course provides detailed information to help fleet owners understand and comply with the Off-Road Regulation:
Date: February 17, 2022
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Webinar: Register
CAL FIRE Accepting Applications for Fire Prevention Grant Programs
CAL FIRE is currently accepting applications for the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Fire Prevention Grant Program. The program provides funding for fuel reduction, wildfire planning, and public education. For more information, visit the Fire Prevention Grants Program webpage or view the procedural guide, available here. Applications are due by 3:00 p.m. on February 9, 2022.
Caltrans Clean California Grant Program Now Open
The Newsom Administration has announced nearly $300 million in Clean California grants are now available. California cities, counties, transit agencies, tribal governments, and other governmental entities are encouraged to submit proposals of up to $5 million to beautify their communities and address trash and debris. Caltrans will award approximately 200 grants to create hundreds of sustainable, green beautification and litter abatement projects statewide. The department will match local investments and address the needs of more severely underserved communities.The grant application period closes February 1, 2022, and Caltrans will announce the grant recipients on March 1, 2022. Award recipients must complete their project by June 30, 2024. Program guidelines and application documents are available here.
Access the State Grants Portal for a Multitude of Funding Opportunities
Billions of dollars are up for grabs to public agencies and other entities, including tribes and businesses. Grant seekers can access a centralized portal of grant and loan opportunities here, or sign up to receive new grant opportunities delivered straight to your inbox.