In the News - Rural County Representatives Of California

January 27, 2026

The Sacramento Bee - To fight the golden mussel, California counties need a coordinated approach

In this Sacramento Bee op-ed Calaveras County Supervisor and RCRC Delegate Amanda Folendorf addressing the rapid spread of the invasive golden mussel. Folendorf outlines the serious threats the species poses to California’s water infrastructure, environment, and economy, and calls on state leaders to move beyond a patchwork of local rules toward a unified, statewide strategy to slow its spread.

open book on table with trees, solar panels, and windmills sprouting from grass on open pages, hot air balloons hovering above the word BioEnergy

December 22, 2025

Energy | Forest and Public Lands Stewardship | Wildfire

CalMatters - Small-scale bioenergy is critical for wildfire prevention, climate resilience, and emissions reduction

In response to pending efforts to close the BioMAT program, Yuba County Supervisor and RCRC Board Delegate Gary Bradford emphasizes in this commentary to CalMatters why small-scale bioenergy is a critical tool and calls for the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to extend and strengthen the BioMAT program in coordination with wildfire prevention and waste management efforts.

November 4, 2025

RCRC Organization

SF Gate - The critical voting group that could determine the Prop 50 battle

Modoc County Supervisor and RCRC Chair Geri Byrne joined Congressman Doug LaMalfa, local farmers, and community representatives in warning that the Prop 50 measure would strip rural areas of fair congressional representation.

geothermal facility with white smoke disseminating from a few smoke stacks in a green field.

October 8, 2025

Energy

Politico - Geothermal gets head of steam

In a Politico Article, RCRC Senior Policy Advocate John Kennedy demonstrated why RCRC lobbied Governor Newsom to veto AB 531, even though RCRC supports geothermal energy. Kennedy stated that the group, which represents the state’s 40 rural counties, opposed the bill because its members are increasingly concerned by state policy that distance counties of local decision-making authority—a trend RCRC felts the streamlining bill continued.