Jul 18, 2025
Barbed Wire Federal Government Revokes $4B for California High Speed Rail ProjectOn July 16, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced that the Federal Railroad Administration has terminated approximately $4 billion in unspent federal funding for California’s High Speed Rail project
Jul 18, 2025
Barbed Wire | Keeping Up Keeping Up - The Barbed Wire - July 18, 2025Announcements regarding key staffing changes of importance to California’s rural counties.
Jul 18, 2025
Barbed Wire | Weekly News Clips Weekly News Clips - The Barbed Wire - July 18, 2025RCRC press releases and related news clips about RCRC and our member counties. Please note that a subscription may be required to read some external publications.
Jul 11, 2025
Barbed Wire | Bill of the Week Bill of the Week: Assembly Bill 531 – Geothermal Project PermittingAssembly Bill 531, authored by Assembly Member Chris Rogers (D-Santa Rosa), seeks to usurp local land use authority for smaller geothermal energy projects under 50MW by allowing developers to bypass local governments and seek approval through the California Energy Commission’s AB 205 opt-in permitting process.
Jul 11, 2025
Barbed Wire Trump Administration Advances NEPA Reform Across Federal AgenciesAs part of a coordinated push to streamline environmental permitting, the Departments of the Interior, Energy, and Agriculture each issued revised National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) procedures. These reforms—driven by President Trump’s Unleashing American Energy Executive Order (E.O. 14154) and the 2023 BUILDER Act —aim to cut red tape, reduce review timelines, and eliminate duplicative regulations that delay infrastructure and energy projects.
Jul 11, 2025
Barbed Wire | Weekly News Clips Weekly News Clips – The Barbed Wire – July 11, 2025RCRC press releases and related news clips about RCRC and our member counties. Please note that a subscription may be required to read some external publications. California thins its forests, then burns the wood. Is...
Jul 03, 2025
Barbed Wire | state budget RCRC Highlights the Latest Updates in the 2025-2026 State Budget PackageOn Monday, June 30, Governor Newsom signed the package of bills that make up the 2025 State Budget, which took effect immediately upon signature. RCRC’s latest budget package highlights, of interest to California’s rural counties, is available here.
Jul 03, 2025
Barbed Wire | Rural County Photo Contest RCRC Launches Ninth Annual Rural County Photo ContestRCRC’s 9th Annual Rural County Photo Contest launched on July 1, 2025. The contest invites individuals to share captivating images that showcase the incredible diversity, breathtaking scenery, vibrant activities, rich history, and undeniable charm that make RCRC’s 40 member counties truly special.
Jul 03, 2025
Barbed Wire | Bill of the Week Bill of the Week: Senate Bill 769 - The Golden State Infrastructure Corporation ActSenate Bill 769, authored by Senator Anna Caballero (D-Merced), seeks to establish the Golden State Infrastructure Corporation within the State Treasurer’s Office to offer flexible financing solutions for infrastructure projects throughout California.
Jul 03, 2025
Barbed Wire | state budget Legislature Passes New CEQA Bill, Includes Several New ExemptionsOn June 30, the Legislature passed, and Governor Newsom signed, Senate Bill 131, which is a budget trailer bill that makes numerous changes to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).