
Associations Join Forces to Tackle Sacramento
This past week the leadership of both the California Cotton Ginners and Growers Association (CCGGA) and Western Agricultural Processors Association (WAPA) went to Sacramento for three days of regulatory and legislative issues. The Associations’ Executive leadership and staff met with legislative and regulatory representatives on a multitude of critical issues including water rights legislation, FARMER funding, property and stock throughput insurance, the proposed indoor heat illness regulation, water quality fees, air quality legislation for the SJV, funding of water projects for medium and high priority area GSAs, port issues, and several other important topics. The entourage met with legislators including Assemblyman David Alvarez (80th), Assemblywoman Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (4th), Assemblyman Josh Lowenthal (69th), Assemblyman Juan Carrillo (39th), Assemblyman Vince Fong (32nd), Assemblyman James Gallagher ( 3rd), Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria (27th), Assemblyman Greg Wallis (47th), Assemblywoman Tasha Boerner (77th), and the staff of Assemblyman Rick Chavez Zbur, and Senator Lena Gonzalez (33rd). The group also met with Agency staff from the California Air Resources Board (CARB), Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) Director Katie Hagen, State Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara and State Water Resources Control Board Member Dorene D’Adamo. CCGGA was represented by Chairman Matt Toste, First Vice Chair Gary Martin, Second Vice Chair Adriane Carbonel and Secretary/Treasurer Jake Cauzza. WAPA was represented by First Vice Chair Pat Andersen, Past Chairman Michael Kelley and Board Member John Rodriguez. Association staff included President/CEO Roger Isom, Assistant Vice President Priscilla Rodriguez and Director of Technical Services Christopher McGlothlin.
SCE Proposes Major Rate Increase in Next General Rate Case
Southern California Edison has proposed a 45% rate increase over already approved 2024 rates, which would generate another $3.9 billion in revenue for SCE. This follows the proposed 46% increase in rates by PG&E by 2026. With the state’s push to electrify everything how can businesses survive in this state? The association will be working with the Ag Energy Consumers Association (AECA) on both of these important general rate cases (GRCs). Association President/CEO Roger Isom is the President of the Board of AECA and Association Assistant Vice President Priscilla Rodriguez also sits on the AECA Board of Directors, so this will be a priority!
SCE 2025 GRC |
||||
Revenue Requirement |
$ increase |
Total $ increase over 2024 rates |
% increase over 2024 rates |
|
2024 |
$8.367B |
|||
2025 |
$10.267B |
$1.9B |
$1.9B |
23% increase |
2026 |
$10.985B |
$619M |
$2.5B |
30% increase |
2027 |
$11.549B |
$664M |
$3.2B |
38% increase |
2028 |
$12.253B |
$704M |
$3.9B |
45% increase |
From the Central California Intelligence Center /Sacramento County Sheriff's Office
|
Isom Named President of Ag One Foundation at CSU Fresno
This week, Association President/CEO Roger A. Isom was named President of the Ag One Foundation at California State University, Fresno. In 1979, several faculty, alumni and friends of the Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology at Fresno State had a million-dollar idea -- to start a foundation that would benefit, promote and support the college and its programs. The supporters set out to raise $1 million in permanent funds. Today, the Ag One Foundation has raised more than $27 million in endowed funds which are invested with the Fresno State Foundation. Over the years, donors, board members and volunteers have made it possible to award some 5,000 students with over $8.5 million in scholarships and program support. For the 2022-23 academic year, Ag One will provide more than $850,000 to deserving students and programs. In response to the appointment Isom stated, “This is truly an honor and a privilege to be associated with such a dedicated board and team helping students in JCAST achieve their dreams and help agriculture remain viable for the next generations”. This marks Isom’s 6th year on the Ag One Foundation’s Board of Directors. Joining Isom as officers will be Vice President: Nick Biscay, Stanislaus Farm Supply; Treasurer: Fendley Ragland, PGIM Real Estate Agricultural Investments and Secretary: Jason Baldwin, Panoche Creek Packing.
Air Resources Board Approves Zero Emission Truck Replacement Rule
Over the last two days, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) Board heard the final update to staff’s Advanced Clean Fleet (ACF) regulation. CARB Staff presented the final draft version of the rule, which is set to require businesses that dispatch or own 50 or more vehicles, or have $50 million or more in receipts, to begin replacing and upgrading their fleets with Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEV’s) starting in 2025. The Board heard from over 120 different commenters, and debated for more than two hours before motioning to approve the regulation. It was approved unanimously by the Board, but with some additional emphasis being placed on impacts to industry.
The Association’s Director of Technical Services, Chris McGlothlin, provided comments specifically identifying the current delays with utility interconnectivity. Speaking on years long delays to connect well pumps, farm shops, even major processing facilities, McGlothlin emphasized that the utility companies are not ready for the manufactured demand for system upgrades that this rule creates. Speaking after public comments were provided, several Board Members echoed those concerns in regard to interconnectivity, and directed staff to work with industry and various stakeholders to stay on top of direct needs on the infrastructure side. Stay tuned for more updates!