The following press release was issued by the Grassroots Institute:
Grassroots Institute Congratulates the Mendocino Board of Supervisors (BOS) on their unanimous passage of the resolution to transition the county to carbon-free energy. We wish to express our gratitude to Board Chair Gjerde for drafting and Supervisor Haschek for co-sponsoring the resolution and all of the Board members for their unanimous support. This is a major step in moving Mendocino County into a more livable future by reducing the use of carbon-based fuels.
It is part of the larger strategy to address the Climate Crisis that will engage Sonoma Clean Power, The Mendocino Transit Agency MTA), and others in a collaborative effort. This also will include moving the libraries away from dirty diesel emergency generators to solar with storage for PG&E Public Safety Power Shutoffs and other emergencies.
The Carbon-Free Resolution will enable the County to:
- Establish a Carbon Reduction account and dedicate $2 million initially that will aid in securing additional funding such as providing a conduit and matching funds for Federal Infrastructure monies, California “30 by 30” support, and other grants
- Survey County facilities for carbon reduction opportunities and installing solar systems with storage on County facilities to cut power costs & reduce dependence on grid power while reducing the CO2 output,
- Simplify the permit process for Rooftop Solar to enable the citizens and businesses in the County to become power generators, thereby reducing their electrical bills and contributing to a collective carbon reduction
- Collaborate Sonoma Clean Power and the City of Ukiah to purchase 100% carbon free power from local sources whenever feasible.
- Move the County fleet of vehicles to electric and support the MTA electrification of their fleet, and
- Expand the installation of electric vehicle chargers and increasing the number of fast chargers both for residents and to support the tourist industry.
We encourage you to visit the GRI climate crisis action page for more information at: <tinyurl.com/ydm6z2ua> and join us in expressing your gratitude to your Supervisor for this milestone toward a livable future.
Earlier Chapter
Ahhh, the establishment of another eco bureaucracy at the public’s expense, and without their input or consent. Citizens, prepare to turn in your trucks and cars and get ready for your county add on to every gallon of gas.
The headline makes you feel all warm and fuzzy. But currently PGE is clear cutting all the trees under the power lines and using fossil fuels, it is currently the biggest environmental disaster. Unless PGE is Carbon Nuetral, Mendocino county will never be.