RCRC 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.
Who buys electric cars in California? – CalMatters
In this CalMatters article, RCRC’s Deputy Chief Economic Development Officer, Bob Burris, is featured highlighting the challenges rural communities face when looking to make the transition to electric vehicles, including concerns related to reliability, disaster evacuation, and availability of charging stations.
Newsom touts Imperial County's 'Lithium Valley' as future in green energy – KPBS Public Media
On Monday, Governor Newsom wrapped up a weeklong tour of the state in RCRC-member Imperial County, to better understand the region's extraction possibilities for lithium, an essential resource in electric vehicle battery production. The California Energy Commission estimates the "Lithium Valley," as it is colloquially known, has the potential to meet all of the United States' projected demand and up to 40% of global demand. With additional investment in the industry, policymakers hope to attract high paying clean energy jobs to the area.
Harris unveils $197 million for wildfire resilience – Los Angeles Times
On Monday, Vice President Kamala Harris detailed how the federal government intends to allocate $197 million in federal grants to support high wildfire-risk areas across 22 states and 7 tribes. As part of this plan, 29 grants will be directed toward California communities, including RCRC member counties Kern, Butte and Tuolumne, to support wildfire prevention and suppression efforts, including additional training, firefighter housing, and equipment acquisition.