Data shows air quality improved during pandemic

sacramento metropolitan Air Quality management District

With the post-pandemic era upon us and Gov. Gavin Newsom’s declared state of emergency ending Feb. 28, the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District is encouraging the continuation of teleconferencing and telework policies in the greater Sacramento region, citing air quality benefits revealed in a study conducted by the district.

The study evaluated air quality data during COVID19 shelter-in-place restrictions when traffic and driving were markedly reduced due to telework and showed significantly less vehicle-related air pollution in the Sacramento region. Shelter-in-place restrictions resulted in 28% less particulate matter pollution (PM2.5), 13% less nitrogen dioxide (NO2) pollution and 10% less ground-level ozone (O3) pollution.

“The COVID emergency proved that we have the technology and ability to offer teleworking and teleconferencing opportunities and we encourage our region’s leaders to continue to do so, whenever possible, to help improve our region’s air quality,” said Air Pollution Control Officer Alberto Ayala.

The study results were shared in a letter sent to nearly 300 regional leaders. Read the letter and its attachments at bit.ly/AQtelework.

Walters Continued from A6 name basis, using the same words he used in his 2011 veto of similar legislation.

“Per-signature payment is often the most costeffective method for collecting the hundreds of thousands of signatures needed to qualify a ballot measure,” Brown wrote. “Eliminating this option will drive up the cost of circulating ballot measures, thereby further favoring the wealthiest interests.”

Contrarily, those who would make qualification of measures more difficult, or at least more expensive, contend that it’s the current process that favors those with the deepest pockets (i.e. business groups) and that their money encourages paid signature gatherers to lie to voters about proposed measures to persuade them to sign petitions.

Does that occur? Absolutely. But it also happens when labor unions and other left-leaning interest groups circulate their measures and when politicians themselves use the ballot process.

Proposition 57, a 2016 measure sponsored by Brown, was especially deceptive, claiming it would reduce penalties only for non-violent felons when it also benefited those who commit certain types of rape, domestic violence and other heinous crimes.

The latest effort to kneecap those who resist the Legislature’s progressive legislation was unveiled earlier this month — a bill to require that unpaid volunteers gather at least 10% of signatures on all referenda and on initiatives seeking to repeal or amend recently enacted laws.

Assembly Bill 421 also would require paid signature gatherers to undergo mandatory training, register with the state for the specific measures they are presenting to voters, wear badges and use unique identification numbers that would allow their petitions to be traced back to them.

The coalition of progressive groups advocating AB 421, and its author, Assemblyman Isaac Bryan, a Culver City Democrat, argue that the proposed changes would make the ballot measure process fairer and more transparent.

It’s entirely possible that AB 421 will be enacted but, ironically, business interests could challenge it by referendum.

Moreover, it could run afoul of a 1988 U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning a Colorado law that banned a statute against paid signature gatherers. It declared that petition circulation is “core political speech” and the use of paid signature gatherers is “the most effective, fundamental, and perhaps economical means of achieving direct, one-on-one communication with voters.”

Dan Walters is a journalist and author who writes for CALmatters.org, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media venture explaining California policies and politics.

Letters Continued from A6

Our history is full of Black success stories and the wealth they achieved.

Reparations would create more problems than they would solve. Other aggrieved groups would demand to be similarly “made whole” with money. History is full of horrors. This will not reverse the evils of slavery; it can’t be righted. This is a divisive and clumsy plan and one that will be poorly executed and challenged for years in the courts. This is a classic example of opening up Pandora’s box.

CHUCK LARSON Camino

Forsberg Meyer

Continued from A6 of apologies, “’I’m sorry that’ is a better start than ‘I’m sorry if’.”

In other words, acknowledge that whatever you did or said in fact hurt someone, rather than trying to imply it was somehow their fault for “taking it that way.”

Brault goes on: “Just once, when someone says, ‘I’m sorry if you took offense,’ I’d like to reply, ‘Come back when you’re sorry you gave it.’”

A genuine apology can go far in preserving or mending a relationship. But people tend to resist giving them because it requires an admission of being wrong — something we all hate. For this reason, Brault has a couple other thoughts that can help when we ourselves are owed an apology that doesn’t come.

“An important thing to get to know about a person is the unspoken ways they say they’re sorry.”

And, for the worst case scenarios, “Life becomes easier when you learn to accept an apology you never got.”

That is a true thing that’s definitely worth knowing.

Jennifer Forsberg Meyer is a columnist with the Mountain Democrat and the author of “Friends With Four Legs.” Leave a comment for her online, or for a reply, reach her at jfmfeedback@gmail.com.

Announcements

AL-ANON is here for you if you are bothered by someone else’s drinking. Call for meeting times. (916) 334-2970. https://sacal-anon.blogspot.comt

AmericAN AssOc. Of UNiversity WOmeN Foothills of EDC Branch. Our mission is to advance gender equity for women & girls. Science and Math Camp Scholarships, programs & interest groups.

Leave voicemail for Laurel (530) 417-7737 or Sara (530) 417-7138 eldorado-ca.aauw.net el DOrADO cOUNty AmAteUr rADiO cLUB Dedicated to all aspects of ham radio. Meetings held on the third Tuesday of each month at the El Dorado Sheriff’s office, 200 Industrial Drive, Placerville, 6:30 pm. Visitors and non-hams welcome. Info at www.edcarc.net

LeArN & PLAy criBBAGe

Cribbage is a fun, fast paced game that will surely keep you on your toes! **All skill levels

**Learn to play by ACC Rules (American Cribbage Congress)

**Beginner instruction available **Compete in weekly Cribbage tournaments. Call 916-768-4452 for more information. Gold Country Cribbers play Wednesday afternoon 4:30 pm at the Moni Gilmore Sr Center, 990 Lassen Lane, El Dorado Hills, CA. 95762 ceLeBrAte recOvery meets Wednesday nights at 6:30 pm at Bayside Church of Placerville, 4602 Missouri Flat Road, Placerville. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. We are a Christ centered recovery program to find healing and recovery from our hurts, habits, and hangups. Email elebratercovery@ baysideplacerville. com. Facebook: https:// www.facebook.com/ CRBaysidePlacerville.

Ready for real change?

Struggling with life? ceLeBrAte recOvery is for any Hurt, Habit or Hang-up. We are a faith-based recovery program for life’s issues and struggles. Join us Thursday nights at 6:30pm at Green Valley Church, 3500 Green Valley Rd, Placerville. Doors open at 6:15pm. Children’s programs are available for ages 3 months to 18 years old. Email: celebrate@ greenvalley.church. Find us on Facebook: https://m.facebook. com/crgvcc/ DemOcrAts – Come meet with the United Democrats of El Dorado County at Round Table Pizza–Missouri Flat Rd. in Placerville at noon on the 3rd Thursday of the month. Call (530)391-6414 or see edcdems. org for more information.

GOLD rUsH cHOrUs now welcomes both men and women to share the joy of singing fourpart harmony in the barbershop style. To learn more or to book a performance, call Howard at (530) 647-6513 or Kent (530) 651-3575 seNiOr Peer cOUNseLiNG tAxPAyers AssOciAtiON Of eL DOrADO cOUNty

Hangtown Women’s teNNis club. Join fun-loving women Wednesdays 9am-11am at El Dorado High School. Lessons, social events, only $50/year. Call Cindy 805-540-8654.

Seniors 55 and over who are grieving, depressed or having issues related to aging can meet one-on-one with a caring senior, professionally supervised and trained to listen and encourage. Call (530)6216304 to leave a message and get started.

Our mission is to educate the public on tax issues that affect them. Our meetings are held every Monday morning from 7:30 to 8:30 at Denny’s Restaurant, Fair Lane Drive, Placerville. Meetings are open to the public except the first Monday of each month. For more information call Louis (530) 622-6763. We are a nonpartisan organization

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) unanimously voted to approve Net Energy Metering 3.0 (NEM), slashing payments for excess solar production sent to the grid by 75%.

CPUC voted to cut the average export rate in California from $0.30 per kWh to $0.08 per kWh, making the cuts effective on April 15, 2023. Customers who have new systems installed and approved for grid interconnection before the effective date in April will be grandfathered in to NEM 2.0 rates. During the vote, the Commission said the balancing of costs and bene ts continue to be “quite generous” under the decision. Currently, average net metering rates range from $0.23 per kWh to $0.35 per kWh, and the new proposed decision cuts those rates to an average of $0.05 per kWh to $0.08 per kWh. This is set to be the largest cut of export rates in U.S. history, in a market that represents roughly 50% of the nation’s residential solar market.

Key takeaways

• The California Public Utility Commission made their fi nal decision on the new NEM 3.0 policy in December 2022.

• The changes to California’s net metering policy will cut the value of solar energy credits by about 75 percent for PG&E, SCE, and SDG&E customers.

• This is a big one: existing solar customers – and people who go solar before NEM 3.0 goes into effect (through April 14) –will be grandfathered into their original net metering policy.

• Solar shoppers who submit interconnection applications after April 14, 2023 will be under NEM 3.0 and could miss out on 60 percent of solar savings, unless you add battery storage to your solar installation.

• Californians considering solar should go solar as soon as possible (and defi nitely by April 14) to lock in more favorable net metering credits.

Authorities

Shooting Continued from A1

Coverley said. “Our partnerships with the surrounding jurisdictions continue to be remarkable. I would also like to (acknowledge) Hard Rock Casino for their quick response and support.”

Initially law enforcement and area casinos’ security personnel treated n SHOE by Jeff MacNelly the incident as an active shooter event, closing Highway 50 and casino doors. Law enforcement could be seen on Highway 50 drawing weapons from their vehicles and donning protective gear as they rushed toward Hard Rock Casino. n TUNDRA by Chad Carpenter n RUBES by Leigh Rubin

Paramedic Fallon Braithwaite receives her badge from El

Medic 49 Continued from A1

received their badges and recited their oaths of office in front of an audience Saturday afternoon with Medic 49 parked behind its crew, ready for duty once again.

Leadership with Diamond Springs-El Dorado and El Dorado County fire protection districts made the effort to get the emergency vehicle into action after an eight-month hiatus due to staffing shortages that plagued fire districts. Training challenges due to COVID-19 and national firefighting paramedic shortages made recruitment an uphill battle, the Mountain Democrat previously reported.

The solution came with collaboration between the two fire districts.

“As we started working through that process we quickly realized this is a pathway that we can get on, in which we can join with our partners here in Diamond Springs, and actually bring this ambulance back to service,” El Dorado County Fire Chief Tim Cordero said. “With the quality of folks we are bringing into this program, we plan to make this a very successful program.” n SPEED BUMP by Dave Coverly

Among other ventures the departments are partnering in is the annexation of Diamond Springs-El Dorado into the EDC Fire Protection District.

The two fire districts are sharing resources with their prevention and training programs and were able to provide additional staffing to rescue teams serving the community amid the extreme weather of winter 202223, added Diamond Springs-El Dorado Fire Chief Matt Gallagher.

“There are going to be exciting things coming up for both of our departments and I think this is just the start,” Gallagher said. “We look forward to the future of the two departments and what we can do.”

The El Dorado County Emergency Services Authority, also known as the West Slope Joint Powers Authority, manages the eight ambulances on the West Slope of the county, which serve approximately 150,000 residents. El Dorado County Fire provides services for five of those eight ambulances.

Responding to 3,200 incidents annually, Medic 49 was the second busiest unit in the JPA system, according to EDC Fire.

Newly minted paramedic Lopez, a Citrus Heights resident, said he was looking for work in the area and felt his new position would be a good opportunity for him to learn and grow as a paramedic.

“All of us are looking forward to working in this district and alongside with El Dorado County Fire firefighters as well,” Lopez said.

Rattlesnake

Avoidance For Dogs

HOROSCOPE by Holiday Mathis n TODAy

ARIES (March 21-April 19). People expect you to anticipate their needs, and amazingly, you do. Your deep knowledge of your role, an understanding of your competition, and an idea about people’s standards and experiences allows you to be nearly psychic in your ability to serve.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). What’s important about detailed work is knowing how granular to get. Knowing too many specifics wastes your time and taxes the attention of others, especially in teaching or storytelling. A sprinkle goes a long way.

April 29–30, 2023

All sessions are full.

June 24–25, 2023

Each dog is individually trained with live rattlesnakes and is personally trained by staff from HIGH ON KENNELS. Sponsored By Hangtown Kennel Club Of Placerville, CA, Inc. with assistance from Dalmatian Club of No. CA You’ll be at the clinic site

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). When you compare yourself to others, it will seem like you got in on the game too late, but that’s a social illusion similar to walking into a room full of people mingling and thinking they all know one another, which is usually not the case.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). There are those who come off as cool because they’re very comfortable in a situation, and then there are those who seem cool but are actually just self-centered, oblivious and incurious. Warmth is better. Go for warmth.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You’ll lead with your lion heart. You can feel tremendous empathy for those who are nothing like you. Furthermore, you’ll celebrate the successes of others with sheer joy and appreciate efforts and talents you don’t fully understand.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). If you don’t know what to say, don’t worry because you don’t need to. You’re better off leaving a silence and letting the other person, or life itself, lead the way. Be ready to pivot. The best relationships are constantly changing.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Regret is a rejection of the person you were and the choices you made — a rather unkind way to treat your former self. You have always done your best with the circumstances and knowledge you had at the time.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). There’s nothing more tedious than arguing with someone who needs to be right. Don’t stick around to be drained. Let them be right and move on to work and play with people of flexible mind and far less ego.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Maturity has brought you to the realization that while you may admire a person, your strong feelings stem from not only what you know of the person but also what they represent to you. Reflection on it leads to self-discovery.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Invite a person into your world one experience at a time. Too much too soon would ruin the journey, which is varied, nuanced and takes time to enjoy. Getting to know you is more like fine dining than fast food.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). The group needs a sense of certainty and will stay on purpose when the leader provides this. Even if you don’t know what you’re doing, execute tasks as though you do. You’ll figure it out en route.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Celebrate your success. Skipping this part of the cycle would be a mistake. Even the smallest win should be acknowledged because doing so creates hope, momentum and an attitude of optimistic confidence and competence.