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Biochar coalition urges county transparency on PG&E settlement funds; requests allocation toward fuels reduction and workforce development
Summary
A public commenter representing the Biochar Coalition asked the board for a transparent accounting of PG&E settlement funds in the county investment pool and urged allocation toward wildfire fuel‑reduction projects and biochar production, citing alignment with the county Climate Action Plan.
At the public‑comment portion of the March 11 meeting, Kenneth (Ken) Shearer, executive director of the Biochar Coalition, urged the board to provide a public and transparent accounting of PG&E settlement funds held in the county investment pool and asked that a portion be directed toward hazard‑fuel reduction, biochar production, workforce development and collaboration with local fire‑safety councils.
Why it matters: The PG&E settlement fund is a locally controlled pool intended to support recovery, mitigation and community stabilization after wildfires. Community groups seek clarity on how these funds are allocated and whether mitigation‑focused projects are being prioritized.
Public comment details: Shearer said more than $160 million in PG&E settlement funds remain unspent in the county pool and said “dollars $10,000,000 were directed towards JAL expansion projects, HVAC systems, data management software,” while mitigation projects received a small fraction. He urged the board to resume collaborative discussions with local partners including the Office of Education and to allocate funds to scalable fuels‑reduction work that produces biochar, which the speaker argued would provide ecological benefits and jobs.
Board response: The board did not take formal action on the public comment but had previously allocated PG&E settlement dollars to various projects. Commenters requested staff follow up with transparent accounting and renewed outreach to collaborative mitigation projects.
Ending: The public comment closes with a request the board provide records of allocations and prioritize investments that align with local mitigation and workforce development goals.
