“Don’t Tax the Sun” event is part of the largest ever submission of live and video-recorded public comments in CPUC history
Organizers claim tax will boost utility profits at the expense of clean energy needs
San Francisco—Hundreds of solar workers, consumers, clean energy advocates, community leaders, conservationists, and climate activists will join together at the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) headquarters building in San Francisco on Thursday to protest the CPUC’s latest proposal to tax rooftop solar and drastically reduce the credits consumers receive for selling their solar energy back to the grid.
After a brief rally, solar supporters will line up to give public comments during the CPUC meeting. In Los Angeles, another thousand solar supporters will record their video testimonials to submit to the CPUC. Combined, Thursday’s actions are expected to be the largest ever submission of live and video-recorded public comments in CPUC history.
- WHAT: 500+ ‘Don’t Tax the Sun’ rally and largest ever CPUC public comment submission
- WHEN: Thursday, June 2 at 11:00am PDT
- WHERE: CPUC headquarters at 505 Van Ness Avenue in San Francisco where the CPUC will be opening its doors to in-person public comment.
- WHO: Large and diverse coalition of solar supporters.
- VISUALS: Rally and more than 500 solar supporters lined-up to give public comments wearing bright red ‘Don’t Tax the Sun’ tee-shirts with signs and banners.
The CPUC is currently considering changes to “net energy metering,” the state policy that makes rooftop solar more affordable for consumers of all types by compensating them for the excess energy they produce and share with their neighbors. Currently 1.5 million consumers use net metering, including thousands of public schools, churches and affordable housing developments, and it is the main driver of California’s world-renowned rooftop solar market. As a result of net metering, working and middle class neighborhoods are just under half of the rooftop solar market and the fastest growing segment today.
Big utilities want to change the rules in their favor in order to eliminate a growing competitor, keep consumers stuck in utility monopolies, and maintain the need for costly and often dangerous transmission lines that are a key driver of utility profits and ratepayer costs.
Despite the overwhelming popularity of rooftop solar and net metering in California, the CPUC is considering a proposed decision, favored by investor-owned utilities, to implement a monthly solar penalty tax while also slashing credits consumers receive for their excess solar energy.
The CPUC had previously proposed a similar steep tax on rooftop solar and an immediate gutting of the credits of solar consumers. The unpopular proposed decision was shelved for an indefinite amount of time earlier this year after intense backlash and public disapproval from Governor Newsom. The CPUC’s recent ruling to re-open its net energy metering procedures seems again to be pursuing a tax, this time hidden and under a different name.
By contrast, solar supporters want to keep solar growing and affordable for all types of consumers, ensure California remains on track with its clean energy and land conservation goals, and accelerate the growth of solar plus storage to build a more resilient electric grid.
About Save California Solar
Save California Solar is a coalition formed to help ensure that rooftop solar continues to grow and benefit every Californian. Save CA Solar includes more than 600 diverse organizations and helped generate 150,000+ public comments submitted in support of net metering ahead of the CPUC proposed decision. Learn more at www.savecasolar.org.
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By Don Martin II, DCRR Racing Media
Antioch, CA…May 28…Anthony Slaney won the 20 lap Xtreme Scaffolding Limited Limited Late Model Main Event Saturday night at Antioch Speedway. He’s the third different winner in as many races on the tour this year, and the race would go without a yellow flag.
Past Marysville and Placerville champion Matt Micheli took the early lead ahead of Slaney and Dan Brown Jr. Brown went low in Turn 4 on Lap 5 to take second from Slaney, and Dan Jinkerson briefly took third from Slaney on Lap 10. Within a few laps, the Top 5 competitors ran nose to tail, and Slaney made a big move on the outside in Turn 4 on Lap 13 to regain second. A low pass in Turn 3 of the 14th lap gained Slaney the lead. Jinkerson made an inside pass on the backstretch on Lap 16 to take second, but he spun in Turn 4 a lap later without a yellow flag. Slaney went on to victory ahead of Brown, Micheli, Kiely Ricardo and Brian Pearce.
Aaron Crowell won the 20 lap IMCA Modified Main Event. This was the first win of the season for the 2004 champion. Crowell jumped into the early lead after the race had been restarted. Trevor Clymens was an early second. Clymens surrendered second to Kellen Chadwick in traffic on Lap 10 with Troy Foulger following closely into third. A blanket three-car battle developed for the lead with Crowell leading Chadwick and Foulger. As Foulger fell back a little bit in the waning laps, Chadwick took one more shot at Crowell, but Crowell prevailed at the checkered flag. Foulger settled for third, followed by Anthony Slaney and Clymens.
Fred Ryland won his third 20 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event. The race was destined to go without a yellow flag, and Nick Zapatero bolted into the lead at the start ahead of Kevin Brown. Brown surrendered second to Chuck Golden on Lap 4 as Golden went low in Turn 4. Ryland made his first appearance in the Top 5 on Lap 7 and quickly moved into third behind Kenny Shrader after Golden hit the Turn 2 wall on Lap 9. Ryland slipped past Shrader for second on Lap 15. Zapatero was nursing some front end damage as he tried to protect his lead, but Ryland closed in on him with two laps to go. Zapatero went high exiting the final turn, and Ryland ducked low to make his winning pass and score the victory. Zapatero was a career best second, ahead of Shrader, Jacob Mallet Jr and Tommy Fraser.
Jim Freethy won the 15 lap Super Stock Main Event. This was the second win of the season for the reigning division champion. The division’s all time win leader and two-time champion Mike Gustafson returned to action and set the early pace ahead of Freethy and Joey Ridgeway Jr. A low move in Turn 2 of the fourth lap put Freethy into the lead with Ridgeway going low in Turn 3 to get second. The yellow flag waved on Lap 9 for Ridgeway in Turn 4, and Jimmy Robbins pitted with a flat tire. Freethy continued to lead the restart with Robbins going high in Turn 2 to take second from Gustafson. Freethy led the rest of the way to win ahead of Robbins, Gustafson, Ridgeway and Michael Burch.
Racing resumes next Saturday night with IMCA Modifieds back in action along with the IMCA Sport Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars and Delta Dwarf Cars. For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.
Unofficial Race Results – May 28, 2022
Xtreme Limited Late Models
Heat Winners (8 laps) – Dan Jinkerson Anthony Slaney. Main Event (20 laps) – Anthony Slaney, Dan Brown Jr, Matt Micheli, Kiely Ricardo, Brian Pearce, Fred Ryland, Ray Trimble, Rod Oliver, Dan Jinkerson, Jay Norton.
IMCA Modifieds
Heat Winners (8 laps) – Troy Foulger, Kellen Chadwick. Main Event (20 laps) – Aaron Crowell, Kellen Chadwick, Troy Foulger, Anthony Slaney, Trevor Clymens, Bobby Motts Jr, Terry DeCarlo Jr, Kenneth Robles, Gary Hylton, Eric Berendsen.
IMCA Sport Modifieds
Heat Winners (8 laps) – Fred Ryland, Kenny Shrader. Main Event (20 laps) – Fred Ryland, Nick Zapatero, Kenny Shrader, Jacob Mallet Jr, Tommy Fraser, Andrew Pearce, Chuck Golden, Kevin Brown, Tyler Browne, Johnathan Hagio.
Super Stocks
Heat Winner (8 laps) – Jim Freethy. Main Event (15 laps) – Jim Freethy, Jimmy Robbins, Mike Gustafson, Joey Ridgeway Jr, Michael Burch, Wayne Trimble DNS.
Read MoreAfter rescuing another injured mountain biker in Skyline Wilderness Park in Napa
According to a post on the CHP-Golden Gate Division Air Operations’ Facebook page, Monday afternoon
“Earlier today, H-30 responded with CAL FIRE/Napa County Fire Department and AMR Napa County to report of an injured mountain biker in Skyline Park. H-30 located the patient and transported him to the trailhead for transport by ground ambulance.
H-30 departed that rescue and assisted Con Fire and San Ramon Valley Fire with an injured mountain biker on Mount Diablo. H-30 was able to locate the rider who was ejected off trail. H-30 landed near the rider and assisted until firefighters arrived at the scene. H-30 departed that rescue and headed to Milpitas for a third pending rescue.”
Read MoreThree children in car with him and 70-year-old woman driving other car sustain major injuries
He was driving “at high speed…borderline reckless” – Mark Leavitt, PIO, CHP-South Sacramento
By Allen D. Payton
A San Ramon man suspected of driving under the influence died in a crash he caused on Highway 160 north of the Antioch bridge late Sunday night. Three children in the car with him and the 70-year-old female driver of the car he struck sustained major injuries. They were taken to hospitals in Walnut Creek, Oakland and Sacramento.
According to Mark Leavitt, PIO for CHP-South Sacramento, “It happened, last night about 10:20 p.m. There two vehicles involved. We had multiple callers and witnesses. A Mazda was traveling on 160 toward the bridge at high speed, according to witnesses, and borderline reckless, and possible DUI. We’re treating it as a DUI.
The Mazda crossed over the solid double yellow lines. At the same time an Audi was traveling northbound on 160, and the Mazda struck the Audi. The Mazda overturned from the crash.”
The Audi was traveling at approximately 55 mph. The Mazda struck the Audi, spinning the Audi into the righthand shoulder. The Mazda came to rest on its roof blocking the southbound lane.
“The driver of the Mazda was from San Ramon, he was born in 1983 and estimated to be 38,” Leavitt continued. “He was not wearing his seatbelt and was pronounced deceased at the scene. In the Mazda there were three juveniles, a 15-year-old female in the front passenger seat, two males ages six and four in the rear seat. We don’t believe the children in the back seat were belted, and no child seats were found in the car.
All the children had major injuries. We don’t know the relationship of anyone in the car. We haven’t determined that yet. The 15-year-old was taken to John Muir Walnut Creek by ambulance
One of the boys was taken by Life Flight helicopter to Children’s Hospital in Oakland. The other boy was taken to U.C. Davis Medical Center in Sacramento.”
“In the other vehicle was just a driver no passengers, a 71-year-old woman from Rio Vista,” Leavitt continued. “She has major injuries and was taken to John Muir Walnut Creek, also by ambulance. They say she’s in stable condition.”
“We do believe the driver of the Mazda was DUI according to witnesses and the 15-year-old girl in the car,” he stated. “We won’t know for sure until the Sacramento County Coroner’s autopsy is completed.”
“Contra Costa CHP assisted us, as well, since it’s close to the border of our jurisdictions,” Leavitt added.
According to CHP-Golden Gate Division Air Operations in a post on their Facebook page Monday morning, “Late last night, H-32 responded with firefighters from Solano and Sacramento Counties to a report of a head on collision, Highway 160 near Sherman Island.
As ground resources arrived at the scene it was determined that one of the occupants was deceased and there were at least two young children who were critically injured.
H-32 transported one of the children to Children’s Hospital in Oakland while the other was transported by REACH to UC Davis.
Two additional patients were taken by ground ambulance to John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek.”
Read MoreAll Americans are asked to pause at 3:00 p.m. (local time) on the last Monday in May for a ‘‘National Moment of Remembrance”
From govinfo.gov and USMemorialDay.org
Memorial Day is the national observance on the last Monday in May to honor those who sacrificed their lives while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Memorial Day commemorates the women and men who have died while in military service, and it will be observed this year on May 30, 2022, the last Monday in May as designated by Federal law (36 U.S.C. 116).
Begun in the late 1860’s as Decoration Day, spring flowers were distributed at graves to honor those fallen in the Civil War. By the end of the 19th century, ceremonies were being held in cities across the country. In 1966, the Federal Government declared Waterloo, New York, the official birthplace of Memorial Day. (Source: The Origins of Memorial Day, Department of Veterans Affairs )
According to History.com, “some records show that one of the earliest Memorial Day commemorations was organized by a group of formerly enslaved people in Charleston, South Carolina less than a month after the Confederacy surrendered in 1865. in 1966 the federal government declared Waterloo, New York, the official birthplace of Memorial Day…which first celebrated the day on May 5, 1866…because it hosted an annual, community-wide event, during which businesses closed and residents decorated the graves of soldiers with flowers and flags.”
According to USMemorialDay.org, the origins of this day are difficult to prove “as over two dozen towns and cities lay claim to be the birthplace. Memorial Day was borne out of the Civil War (which ended in 1865) and a desire to honor our dead. On the 5th of May in 1868, General John Logan who was the national commander of the Grand Army of the republic, officially proclaimed it in his General Order No. 11…for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land.’ Because the day wasn’t the anniversary of any particular battle, the general called it, the date of Decoration Day.
On the first Decoration Day, 5,000 participants decorated the graves of 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers buried at Arlington Cemetery while General James Garfield made a historic speech.
New York was the first state to officially recognize the holiday in 1873. It was recognized by all northern states by 1890. Differently, the South refused to acknowledge the day and honored their dead, on separate days. This went on until after World War I when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war.
With the Congressional passage of the National Holiday Act of 1971 (P.L. 90 – 363), it is now observed on the last Monday in May by almost every state.”
Red Poppies on Memorial Day
Also, according to USMemorialDay.org, “In 1915, inspired by the poem ‘In Flanders Fields,’ Moina Michael replied with her own poem: We cherish too, the Poppy red That grows on fields where valor led, It seems to signal to the skies That blood of heroes never dies.
She then conceived of an idea to wear red poppies on Memorial Day in honor of those who died serving the nation during war. She was the first to wear one and sold poppies to her friends and co-workers with the money going to benefit servicemen in need. See more on the significance of the Red Poppy.
Later a Madam Guerin from France was visiting the United States and learned of this new custom started by Ms. Michael. When she returned to France, she made artificial red poppies to raise money for war orphaned children and widowed women. This tradition spread to other countries. In 1921, the Franco-American Children’s League sold poppies nationally to benefit war orphans of France and Belgium. The League disbanded a year later, and Madam Guerin approached the VFW for help.
Shortly before Memorial Day in 1922 the VFW became the first veterans’ organization to nationally sell poppies. Two years later their ‘Buddy’ Poppy program was selling artificial poppies made by disabled veterans. In 1948 the US Post Office honored Ms. Michael for her role in founding the National Poppy movement by issuing a red 3 cent postage stamp with her likeness on it.”
Public Law 106-579, signed into law December 28, 2000, created the White House Commission on the National Moment of Remembrance, and it designated 3:00 p.m. (local time) on Memorial Day each year as the ‘‘National Moment of Remembrance.” At this time all Americans “To voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to ‘Taps’.”
Read MoreCounty school board member Avila Farias calls Herald readers “white supremacist cult followers”
By Allen D. Payton
District Attorney Diana Becton spoke at a rally on the county courthouse steps on last week in support of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortions nationwide and touted her endorsement by Planned Parenthood.
In a post on her campaign Facebook page that day Becton wrote, “It was an honor to speak at the rally to kick off the day. Access to safe abortions is a public safety issue. I will always, proudly, stand by our right to privacy and our right to choose!
This morning we gathered at the Martinez Courthouse steps to rally in support of Roe vs Wade. Over 100 Contra Costan’s rallied and then got on buses to go rally in Sacramento or walk out neighborhoods in support of pro-choice candidates.
Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan said it best today, if we are going to protect our right to choose we have to elect pro choice candidates up and down the ballot. I’m proud to be the only candidate running for Contra Costa District Attorney that is endorsed by Planned Parenthood.”
Becton, an ordained Baptist minister who preaches in her and her husband’s church and has the title of “reverend”, was asked the following questions about her position on abortion and endorsement by Planned Parenthood:
“As a Baptist minister, someone who claims to be a Christian and as an African American how can you support abortion and Planned Parenthood, which was both founded in racist eugenics and continues to target Black and Hispanic communities, today by locating most of their facilities in their neighborhoods and aborting more of their unborn babies combined, than white babies, following the original mission of Margaret Sanger to keep their populations down? Why would you want the endorsement of an organization like that?”
In addition, she was asked, “how can you justify your position with what is written in the Bible in both Jeremiah 1, ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart’ and in Psalm 139, ‘For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb’?”
Instead of responding to the emailed questions, on Friday, May 20 Becton posted the following on her campaign’s Facebook page and Twitter feed:
“In the spirit of transparency, I am sharing the questions I received today from the so-called ‘press’ outlet @antiochheraldca & @cocoherald.
For the record, I’m proud to be the ONLY candidate running for Contra Costa District Attorney that is endorsed by @PPact.
A woman’s right to choose is fundamental. It is non negotiable. A woman’s power — her constitutional right to make choices about her personal health care — is a matter of public safety every day and every hour, and it must be protected. #BansOffOurBodies”.
County School Board Trustee Avila Farias calls Herald readers “white supremacist cult followers”
In a comment on the post on Becton’s campaign Facebook page, Contra Costa County Board of education Trustee for Area 3, Anamarie Avila Farias
She wrote, “Pro Choice -Catholic Mexican Mama here, the hope I have for my daughter, and all of our children, is that they grow up with the freedom to determine their own course in life and that starts with their own reproductive freedom. Thank you DA Becton of occupying various spaces of justice!”
Avila Farias then took a nasty, baseless swipe at this reporter and the readers of the Herald writing, “Allen Payton and all his white supremacist cult followers spew nothing but discrimination, machismo, and cultural stereotypes which are largely responsible for the barriers Latinas and people of color face in accessing proper healthcare, especially around reproductive rights.
We all know what to do Co Co County – Re- Elect Diana Becton! The Prosecutor office must reflect the communities they serve and the changing demographics!”
The election is June 7 in which Becton is facing a challenge from Deputy District Attorney Mary Knox.
Read More“Let’s go fly a kite!” at The San Ramon Art & Wind Festival, the BEST festival in the East Bay. The Art & Wind Festival is scheduled for Sunday and Monday, May 29–30, 2022 in San Ramon’s Central Park, 12501 Alcosta Boulevard from 11am to 6pm both days.
This annual event features fine arts, crafts and specialty food vendors, three entertainment stages headlining international music, party bands and variety entertainers, children’s shows, gourmet food courts, family amusement zones, professional choreographed kite flying demonstrations, and free kite making workshop.
The Art and Wind Festival is a pet friendly, bike friendly and family friendly event!
For more information about the event click here.
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All regional parks in the East Bay will be open this Memorial Day for annual holiday gatherings and celebratory festivities. Parks are anticipated to be busy and some at full capacity early, so park staff recommend arriving early to secure first-come, first-served, non-reservable picnic sites.
Many lifeguarded swim areas will also be open for visitors, including Castle Rock Pool at Diablo Foothills in Walnut Creek, Cull Canyon in Castro Valley, Don Castro in Hayward, and Lake Temescal in Oakland. Non-life-guarded beaches include Keller Beach at Miller Knox Regional Park in Richmond and Robert Crown Memorial State Beach in Alameda. Unfortunately, many of the Park District’s most popular swim areas, including Del Valle, Shadow Cliffs, and Lake Anza will be closed due to water quality, low water conditions, or construction and maintenance repairs.
“We regret the inconvenience and limitations on the public’s use of all of our swim facilities,” said Dave Mason, Public Information Supervisor.
Park District swim facilities face ongoing challenges related to climate change, including cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) and low water levels. Water quality is tested regularly during the swim season to ensure it is safe for the public. Visitors should check the status of swim facilities before they go by visiting www.ebparks.org/swimming.
Open Swim Facilities for Memorial Day Weekend:
• Castle Rock Pool – OPENING May 28
• Cull Canyon Swim Lagoon – OPEN
• Don Castro Swim Lagoon – OPENING May 28
• Lake Temescal Swim Beach – OPENING May 28
Swim areas that are Closed for Memorial Day Weekend:
• Contra Loma Swim Lagoon – CLOSED for swim season due to required maintenance and safety repairs.
• Lake Anza Swim Beach – CLOSED due to scheduled maintenance and ongoing water quality uncertainty.
• Del Valle Swim Beach – CLOSED due to Blue-Green Algae.
• Quarry Lakes Swim Beach – CLOSED due to Blue-Green Algae.
• Roberts Pool – CLOSED for renovation and new pool facility construction.
• Shadow Cliffs Swim Beach – CLOSED due to extreme drought and low water levels.
Swimming fees vary by facility. However, swimming is free for Regional Parks Foundation members. For information about becoming a Regional Parks Foundation member, visit regionalparksfoundation.org.
Walk-ins for all open locations will be available on a first-come, first-served basis until capacity is reached. Cull Canyon and Don Castro also offer optional swim entry registration on weekends and holidays to guarantee admission. To reserve your all-day swim entry, register at www.bit.ly/3NtZnLk.
The East Bay Regional Park District is the largest regional park system in the nation, comprising 73 parks, 55 miles of shoreline, and over 1,300 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and environmental education. The Park District receives more than 25 million visits annually throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Read MoreWill focus on reckless driving and sideshows, plus conduct emissions inspections for illegal equipment
By Sergeant Rob Green #3639, Antioch Police Traffic Unit
The Antioch Police Department in partnership with the Brentwood Police Department, Pittsburg Police Department, Oakley Police Department, and California Highway Patrol will conduct a joint traffic enforcement detail May 27 to 29, 2022. The joint operation will focus on reckless driving and sideshow activity in the East County and conduct vehicle emissions inspections. Any vehicles found with illegal emissions equipment will be referred to a California Smog Referee. This is in response to information provided by citizens regarding a planned sideshow event to take place in the East County area.
Antioch PD would like to thank our law enforcement partners and the citizens who help aid in our investigations.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925) 778-2441. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.
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