Plumas and Sierra projects among Congressman’s funding requests
Internet access for Plumas County and safe drinking water for Sierra County are in Congressman Kevin Kiley’s list of projects that he wants to see funded in the federal budget.
As part of the annual federal budget process, members of Congress are authorized to submit up to 15 projects to receive consideration for federal funding. Out of the numerous requests received, Rep. Kiley advanced the nine projects listed below including those in Plumas and Sierra. The final six projects will be announced April 17, pursuant to federal guidance.
Although the projects must still be considered by the Appropriations Committee and a federal budget passed in order for funds to be disbursed, official submission by a Member of Congress is a necessary and major step forward in the federal funding process.
“Through the federal budget process, I have submitted numerous project funding requests for our community. The projects I am advocating for would significantly bolster fire-fighting capabilities across the Tahoe region and Eastern Sierras, ensure access to safe drinking water, construct rural broadband, and enhance emergency services,” Congressman Kiley said. “I will never stop fighting to return taxpayer dollars to our community to fund projects vital to our health, safety, and welfare.”
Both the Plumas and Sierra projects received support from a variety of sources.
Senator Brian Dahle and Assemblywoman Megan Dahle sent a letter of support for Plumas broadband, which carries a $4.2 million funding request. It read in part, “Plumas Sierra Rural Electric Cooperative is seeking funding to deploy high-speed broadband fiber optic service to 240 households in underserved communities near Portola, along the County Road A-15 corridor, and an additional area along Highway 89 near Clio. The cooperative’s Board of Directors has approved both the project and local matching funds.”
The $5 million Loyalton water infrastructure project received letters of support from Eastern Plumas Healthcare, which operates skilled nursing and clinic facilities in Loyalton; the fire chief, the school district, and a senior citizens group. The Sierra County Board of Supervisors declared a local emergency due to water distribution line failures.
Rep. Kiley’s Submitted Projects
PST A-15 Broadband Project: This request would allocate $4,224,000 to the Plumas-Sierra Rural Electric Co-Op to construct middle and last-mile fiber optic networks to rural residents in the A-15 and Valley Ranch areas.
City of Loyalton Water Infrastructure Project: This request would allocate $5,000,000 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.
Kings Beach Drinking Water and Fire Suppression Improvement Project: This request would allocate $2,241,750 to the North Tahoe Public Utility District to replace old and undersized water pipes, install new fire hydrants, and improve water supply for fire suppression in Kings Beach.
Bridgeport Ambulance Replacement Project: This request would allocate $214,500 to Mono County to replace an ambulance used by a critical care facility that no longer complies with emergency response vehicle safety standards.
Kokila Reservoir Replacement Project: This request would allocate $4,000,000 to the San Juan Water District to replace the aging Kokila Reservoir with a new partially buried prestressed tank. The project would ensure over 330,000 Placer and Sacramento County residents continue to have access to safe and reliable drinking water.
Georgetown Divide Public Utility District Water Reliability and Fire Resiliency Storage Tank Project: This request would allocate $1,500,000 o the Georgetown Divide Public Utility District to construct a 2-million-gallon fire resilient water storage tank to aid in fire suppression efforts.
Golden Sierra High School Biomass Generator and On-Site Sawmill Project: This request would allocate $2,625,000 to the Black Oak Mine Unified School District to install a biomass generator system, expand the existing CTE Wood Shop Mill and Class Program, establish an on-site sawmill, and develop a new forest management service.
Southern Inyo Fire District Fire Stations Project: This request would allocate $1,500,000 to Inyo County to construct two fire stations in Tecopa Hot Springs and Charleston View.
South Tahoe Public Utility District for Enhancing the Resilience of Critical Water Infrastructure: This request would allocate $4,520,000 to the South Tahoe Public Utility District to replace deteriorating waterlines, improve infrastructure, and install new fire hydrants in order to better fight fires.
