August 26, 2022

YOUR SOURCE FOR CAWG AND INDUSTRY NEWS. FOR CAWG MEMBERS ONLY.

IN THIS eNEWS
  • Accelerating Climate Change Goals for California
  • Diablo Canyon's Future
  • AB 2183 (Card Check) Update
  • Oregon State Researchers Latest on Smoke Research
  • SLF Mating in the Big Apple
  • Webinar: Turning Down the Heat - 9/12
  • USDA to Invest Millions in Organic Farming Initiative
  • Remote I-9 Review Process
  • Cheers to Sangiacomo Family on 95 Years of Farming
  • Call for Nominations: CAWG Grower and Leader of the Year
NEWS ITEMS

Accelerating Climate Change Goals

Through a combination of administrative actions, California agencies are already working toward meeting existing goals of achieving carbon neutrality by no later than 2045 and reducing greenhouse gas emissions (40% less than 1990 levels) by 2030.


Two weeks ago, Governor Newsom announced that he wants to see an ambitious climate change legislative package approved by the legislature and sent to his desk before the legislature adjourns on August 31.


This package would substantially accelerate the existing goals and make other changes as briefly described below:

  • Place the carbon neutrality goal into law which would give state agencies like the State Air Resources Board increased enforcement authority.
  • Increase 2030 greenhouse gas emissions reduction goal from 40% to 55% below 1990 levels.
  • Create a 100% “clean electricity” grid by 2045.
  • Require a setback distance of 3,200 feet between any new oil well and homes, schools, or parks.
  • Establish a clear regulatory framework for carbon removal and carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration.

 

In short, relative to growers, this package would do the following:

  • Increase the demand for electricity while eliminating the availability of electricity provided by source that is not “green.” This would ultimately drive up electricity costs substantially. 
  • Increase compliance costs at refineries, which means we would expect fuel costs to increase by more than 75 cents per gallon. 
  • Increase regulatory efforts to move California to rely on electric farm equipment, much of which does not meet the demands of the job. 

 

A one-month time line from start to finish on any legislative action is ambitious, especially for a policy area as complicated as climate change. It is unclear whether the legislature and the governor can accelerate the legislative action quickly enough to accelerate the goals Newsom has in mind.  


Article: California Approves Ban on New Gas Powered Cars

Diablo Canyon’s Future

The Diablo Canyon power plant, which produces nearly 10 percent of the state’s electricity, is scheduled to close in 2025. Governor Newsom wants to keep the plant open because there may not be enough solar, wind, and other renewable energy to make up for the loss of Diablo Canyon, especially in late summer when extreme heat and wildfires strain the grid. Consequently, Diablo Canyon’s fate could affect all Californians.

 

Newsom will need legislative help to keep Diablo Canyon open, and its future will most likely depend on the outcome of Newsom’s five climate requests, which are currently pending in the Legislature. The governor is facing opposition to extending Diablo Canyon from some environmentalists and Assembly Democrats. Interestingly, those same groups support Newsom’s climate change package which would increase demand on the grid by increasing use of electric vehicles and equipment while at the same time reducing electricity that isn’t from a green source.

 

Senator John Laird (D-Santa Cruz), whose district includes Diablo Canyon, has questions about repercussions of the proposed extension, especially relative to the potential development of offshore wind power in the area. Optimistically, he said the governor seems willing to address his concerns.

 

Some lawmakers have been asking Newsom to call a “special session” of the legislature to buy time to continue the negotiations. A special session is a procedural maneuver allowing the legislature to meet on just one issue past the Constitutional deadline of August 31. This maneuver may not be practical though for this particular issue. This is because Pacific Gas & Electric has until September 6 to apply for federal funding to keep the plant open.

 

Consequently, a decision on the future of Diablo Canyon will likely be made soon. 

AB 2183 (Card Check) Update

As you have seen, CAWG has been pushing back at UFW’s efforts to bully their way into representation of California’s ag employees. Today we learned that Governor Newsom stated that he ‘cannot support’ AB 2183 in its current form. Although this is not a done deal, this is welcome news for growers who want fairness and a secret ballot in the process whereby employees choose whether to join a union. 


The legislature is set to adjourn on August 31, and CAWG will continue to stay engaged and update its members as events unfold. 

 

KCRA ARTICLE 

Oregon State Researchers Discover Compounds Contributing to Smoke Taint in Wine and Grapes

With funding from NIFA, an Oregon State University-led research team has discovered a class of compounds that contribute to smoke taint in wine and grapes. As researchers were creating a training procedure to identify smoke tainted wines, they made a breakthrough discovery that links a class of sulfur-containing compounds called thiophenols to the undesirable ashy flavors found in impacted grapes.


► READ MORE

► Listen to Vineyard Team Podcast Episode on New Discovery

It's Mating Season for SLF in the Big Apple

New York residents are starting to notice the spotted lanternfly (SLF) in big numbers, as mating season is here, and they are looking to lay eggs before winter comes. 


The population of spotted lanternflies, which first emerged in New York in 2020 has continued to grow. Earlier this month, Sen. Chuck Schumer addressed the critical need to tackle the states SLF mass with the help of an extra $22 million in federal funds.


ARTICLE

WEBINAR: Turning Down the Heat

Preparing Employers for Proposed OSHA Heat Regulations

WHEN: September 12th, 2022 • 11:30 am


Panelists will share their experiences with existing heat rules in California, Washington, and Oregon, and the CDC perspective.


Participants will be eligible to receive one Professional Development Credit from the Society for Human Resource Management upon completion of the webinar.


► LEARN MORE

► REGISTER

Federal Immigration Authorities Consider Remote I-9 Review Procedures

Employers may soon have a welcome alternative to the long-standing and often-cumbersome process that requires an in-person inspection of I-9 documents at the time a new worker is onboarded.


On August 18, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a proposed Rule that would allow the government to consider possible “alternative options for document examination procedures” for employees, including the option of reviewing employees’ I-9 documents on a remote basis. What do employers need to know about this exciting new development – and when might this brave new future arrive?


► ARTICLE

USDA to Invest Millions in Organic Farming Initiative

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced details of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) $300 million investment, including with American Rescue Plan funds, in a new Organic Transition Initiative aimed at boosting revenue streams and building new and better markets for farmers and producers. 


► PRESS RELEASE

► ARTICLE

Third Generation Family-Owned Sangiacomo Vineyards Celebrates 95 Years of Farming in Sonoma County

A toast is in order to longtime CAWG member, Sangiacomo Vineyards, on 95 years of farming and stewardship in Sonoma County. 


To celebrate this near-century milestone, the Sangiacomos are releasing the remaining amounts of their Home Ranch Chardonnay from their library, including the inaugural 2016 vintage, along with many of their other exclusive estate bottlings. All are available at the Sangiacomo Home Ranch tasting room, located two miles south of the Sonoma Plaza.


ARTICLE

CAWG ITEMS

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS: CAWG’s 2023 Grower and Leader of the Year

Nominations are now open for the California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) Awards of Excellence Program. 

The Awards Program presents two awards annually: Grower of the Year and Leader of the Year. These awards are meant to spotlight exceptional people or companies who have benefitted the broader community of winegrape growers through exemplary leadership and outstanding commitment to the well-being of the winegrowing industry, California communities and the environment.

Nominations are due by September 30, 2022.

The CAWG Awards of Excellence reception will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 24, on opening night of the 2023 Unified Wine and Grape Symposium held in Sacramento.

NOMINATION FORMS:
GROWER OF THE YEAR
LEADER OF THE YEAR
For more information and to view past award recipients, please view the CAWG website. For questions, contact Natalie Collins, Interim President.
CALENDAR

OCTOBER 

18 - Hotels and Registration Open for Unified Wine and Grape Symposium 


JANUARY 

24-26 – Save the Date! 2023 Unified Wine & Grape Symposium 

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