Assembly Bill No. 1346 was signed by California Governor Gavin Newsom in October 2023, barring selling new gas-powered equipment using small off-road engines (SORE) in 2024. This ban includes all gas-powered lawn and landscape equipment, generators, pressure washers, and chainsaws.
2024 and the years ahead will be better for the environment as a result of this law, but the transition, especially for lawn care and landscaping pros, will require adjustments.
How so? You need lots of batteries to power battery-powered lawn care equipment to keep going throughout the day. - Lawn Love
HAPPY 2024! Here’s our updated Wish List:
1. PEACE!
2. That you choose to be informed by reading this newspaper.
3. That the City of Loyalton and Calpine and all points in between can thank residents for cleaning up properties.
4. That Tahoe National Forest receives positive public comment for the Big Jack East: Targeted Grazing Project. The project proposes the use of targeted grazing (i.e. goats or sheep) to reduce fuels on up to 2,012 acres of Forest Service lands located in northeastern Placer County near Truckee, Calif.
5. That we all advocate for a ’Plastic-free’ option at checkout and labeling for sellers using eco-friendly alternatives. We heartily agree it’s unfair that so much plastic is being put into the world when it is avoidable and safe eco options to replace bubble wrap, shrink wrap and styrofoam are available.
91% of all plastic ends up as litter, in landfills or incinerated. Paper and other biodegradable materials are as effective and similar in price to plastic and bubble-wrap. According to scientists, about 17.6 billion pounds of plastic enter the ocean annually and there are more than 5 trillion pieces of plastic floating in our oceans. This plastic enters from all nations, including the US and European countries by way of waste export. Why add more?
It’s not acceptable for major businesses to leave consumers with so few choices and we are fed plastic we didn’t ask for that later ends up in landfills or in our rivers and oceans. Plastic-free choices should be accessible and plentiful if we want to see lasting change and a dramatic decrease in plastic waste. Let’s take a big step forward and make ‘Plastic-free’ a regular option on all checkout forms.
6. We’re excited over the Bureau of Reclamation and Sites Project Authority releasing final plans to create new off-stream water storage in the Sacramento Valley. The proposed reservoir—Sites—would be the second largest off-stream reservoir in the nation and would increase Northern California’s water storage capacity by up to 15 percent.
7. We are warned by Keep US Posted that the twice annual postage hikes—a key part of the Delivering for America Plan, USPS’ 10-year roadmap to financial solvency—are compounding USPS losses and could lead to a government bailout if the Postal Regulatory Commission or Congress does not put a stop to them.
“These unprecedented postage hikes are giving Americans rate whiplash and compromising the Postal Service’s ability to deliver for America,” said Keep US Posted Executive Director and former Congressman Kevin Yoder (R-Kan.). “While intended to raise revenue, the data shows that each new postage hike only drives more consumers and businesses away from using the mail. Mail volume is currently down nearly 9% year-over-year, after rate hikes took effect in January and July, and the proposed increase next January will only perpetuate these losses. Paper mail business keeps USPS afloat, and with every postage hike, more mail leaves the system forever.”
8. We thank Rep. Kiley having secured in the FY24 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill to include: City of Loyalton Water Infrastructure Project: This request would allocate $2,000,000 to the City of Loyalton to replace the deteriorating main water line and would ensure access to safe drinking water, as well as enable the fire department to better fight fires.
9. We anticipate Verizon to install, maintain, replace, add and operate communications equipment at 307 1st Street in Loyalton following approval at a special Loyalton City Council meeting held Monday, November 6th. According to the Land Lease Agreement, rental payments shall begin on the Commencement Date and be due at a total annual rental of $18,000 to be paid in equal monthly installments on the first day of the month, in advance. In addition to the rent, Lessee shall pay Lessor a one-time lump sum payment of $3,000.00 for execution of this Agreement. Commencing on the first anniversary of the Commencement date and on the anniversary of that date each year thereafter, the rent shall increase by 2.5% of the then current amount of Rent.
Be aware:
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) energy rates will change on January 1, 2024, to pay for continued critical safety investments for its customers and hometowns. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) today approved PG&E’s 2023-2026 General Rate Case (GRC). More than 85% of PG&E’s proposed increase, originally submitted in June 2021, was to reduce risk in PG&E’s gas and electric operations.
As part of the GRC, the CPUC approved placing 1,230 miles of powerlines underground in PG&E’s highest fire-risk areas. Undergrounding is permanent risk reduction that eliminates nearly 98% of risk of wildfire ignition from electrical equipment, increases electric reliability by reducing the need for safety-related power shutoffs, and saves customers billions of dollars in reduced annual tree trimming and overhead line maintenance costs.
From 1 January 2024 producers supplying California pork must have a valid certificate of Prop 12 compliance. The Prop 12 requirements include increased freedom of movement and housing space. California consumes nearly 15% of all US pork, yet only produces 1%, so it relies heavily on imports from other states and internationally. As part of Prop 12, the US state has introduced improved welfare requirements covering the housing of sows and gilts. NSF, the only Red Tractor Certification Body for pork, can now certify British pork for the lucrative Californian market. NSF has become one of the first UK certification bodies to offer California’s Proposition 12 (Prop 12) certification for UK pork.
This certification is crucial for British farmers who want to comply with the new Californian animal welfare standards that comes into effect on 1 January 2024.
2024 and the years ahead will be better for the environment as a result of this law, but the transition, especially for lawn care and landscaping pros, will require adjustments.
How so? You need lots of batteries to power battery-powered lawn care equipment to keep going throughout the day. - Lawn Love
HAPPY 2024! Here’s our updated Wish List:
1. PEACE!
2. That you choose to be informed by reading this newspaper.
3. That the City of Loyalton and Calpine and all points in between can thank residents for cleaning up properties.
4. That Tahoe National Forest receives positive public comment for the Big Jack East: Targeted Grazing Project. The project proposes the use of targeted grazing (i.e. goats or sheep) to reduce fuels on up to 2,012 acres of Forest Service lands located in northeastern Placer County near Truckee, Calif.
5. That we all advocate for a ’Plastic-free’ option at checkout and labeling for sellers using eco-friendly alternatives. We heartily agree it’s unfair that so much plastic is being put into the world when it is avoidable and safe eco options to replace bubble wrap, shrink wrap and styrofoam are available.
91% of all plastic ends up as litter, in landfills or incinerated. Paper and other biodegradable materials are as effective and similar in price to plastic and bubble-wrap. According to scientists, about 17.6 billion pounds of plastic enter the ocean annually and there are more than 5 trillion pieces of plastic floating in our oceans. This plastic enters from all nations, including the US and European countries by way of waste export. Why add more?
It’s not acceptable for major businesses to leave consumers with so few choices and we are fed plastic we didn’t ask for that later ends up in landfills or in our rivers and oceans. Plastic-free choices should be accessible and plentiful if we want to see lasting change and a dramatic decrease in plastic waste. Let’s take a big step forward and make ‘Plastic-free’ a regular option on all checkout forms.
6. We’re excited over the Bureau of Reclamation and Sites Project Authority releasing final plans to create new off-stream water storage in the Sacramento Valley. The proposed reservoir—Sites—would be the second largest off-stream reservoir in the nation and would increase Northern California’s water storage capacity by up to 15 percent.
7. We are warned by Keep US Posted that the twice annual postage hikes—a key part of the Delivering for America Plan, USPS’ 10-year roadmap to financial solvency—are compounding USPS losses and could lead to a government bailout if the Postal Regulatory Commission or Congress does not put a stop to them.
“These unprecedented postage hikes are giving Americans rate whiplash and compromising the Postal Service’s ability to deliver for America,” said Keep US Posted Executive Director and former Congressman Kevin Yoder (R-Kan.). “While intended to raise revenue, the data shows that each new postage hike only drives more consumers and businesses away from using the mail. Mail volume is currently down nearly 9% year-over-year, after rate hikes took effect in January and July, and the proposed increase next January will only perpetuate these losses. Paper mail business keeps USPS afloat, and with every postage hike, more mail leaves the system forever.”
8. We thank Rep. Kiley having secured in the FY24 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill to include: City of Loyalton Water Infrastructure Project: This request would allocate $2,000,000 to the City of Loyalton to replace the deteriorating main water line and would ensure access to safe drinking water, as well as enable the fire department to better fight fires.
9. We anticipate Verizon to install, maintain, replace, add and operate communications equipment at 307 1st Street in Loyalton following approval at a special Loyalton City Council meeting held Monday, November 6th. According to the Land Lease Agreement, rental payments shall begin on the Commencement Date and be due at a total annual rental of $18,000 to be paid in equal monthly installments on the first day of the month, in advance. In addition to the rent, Lessee shall pay Lessor a one-time lump sum payment of $3,000.00 for execution of this Agreement. Commencing on the first anniversary of the Commencement date and on the anniversary of that date each year thereafter, the rent shall increase by 2.5% of the then current amount of Rent.
Be aware:
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) energy rates will change on January 1, 2024, to pay for continued critical safety investments for its customers and hometowns. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) today approved PG&E’s 2023-2026 General Rate Case (GRC). More than 85% of PG&E’s proposed increase, originally submitted in June 2021, was to reduce risk in PG&E’s gas and electric operations.
As part of the GRC, the CPUC approved placing 1,230 miles of powerlines underground in PG&E’s highest fire-risk areas. Undergrounding is permanent risk reduction that eliminates nearly 98% of risk of wildfire ignition from electrical equipment, increases electric reliability by reducing the need for safety-related power shutoffs, and saves customers billions of dollars in reduced annual tree trimming and overhead line maintenance costs.
From 1 January 2024 producers supplying California pork must have a valid certificate of Prop 12 compliance. The Prop 12 requirements include increased freedom of movement and housing space. California consumes nearly 15% of all US pork, yet only produces 1%, so it relies heavily on imports from other states and internationally. As part of Prop 12, the US state has introduced improved welfare requirements covering the housing of sows and gilts. NSF, the only Red Tractor Certification Body for pork, can now certify British pork for the lucrative Californian market. NSF has become one of the first UK certification bodies to offer California’s Proposition 12 (Prop 12) certification for UK pork.
This certification is crucial for British farmers who want to comply with the new Californian animal welfare standards that comes into effect on 1 January 2024.