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SACRAMENTO – Gov. Jerry Brown has signed AB 1812, a bill by Assemblymember Wesley Chesbro (D-North Coast) that ensures craft beer aged in wooden barrels that previously contained distilled spirits remains legally classified as a beer.
“California’s craft beer industry has gained worldwide acclaim for the use of traditional Belgian-style brewing techniques that incorporate the use of wooden barrels for aging,” Chesbro said. “These empty wooden barrels are expensive and are typically recycled by craft brewers from previous use by the wine or distilled spirits industries. These beers may take on a hint of flavor from minute amounts of distilled alcohol retained in the wood. This legislation ensures that these brews continue to be classified as beer and not as distilled spirits.”
Recent regulations adopted by the Board of Equalization regarding how it classifies what is a distilled spirit made the microbrew industry uneasy that the BOE could classify brews aged in these barrels as a dilution of another alcoholic beverage rather than a beer.
AB 1812 clarifies that beer aged in re-used wooden barrels will continue to be classified as beer for purposes of regulation for licensure of manufacturing, distribution, retail sales and taxation.
“California craft brewers have become literally world renown for their unique interpretation and adaptation of aging beers in wood barrels. AB 1812 will ensure that this exciting brewing process will continue to thrive,” said Chris Walker, advocate for the California Small Brewers Association, which sponsored the bill.
“The North Coast is becoming a national destination for those who enjoy craft beer tours,” Chesbro said. “The First Assembly District is home to a number of these renowned microbreweries. It is an industry that has a huge economic impact on the states as well as great growth potential. This bill enjoyed enthusiastic bipartisan support in the Legislature and I thank the governor for recognizing the importance of nurturing the craft beer industry.”
AB 1812 will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2013.
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CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – Shannon Ridge Vineyards & Winery invites the community to share in the celebration as they open a new tasting room on Saturday, July 28.
The grand opening will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 13151 E. Highway 20 in Clearlake Oaks.
The company is excited to introduce its new Shannon Ridge High Elevation Collection wine.
Stop by to enjoy live music by the Lake County Diamonds, delicious hors d'oeuvres and door prizes. Be among the first to visit the new tasting room and marketplace.
For more information call 707-998-9656.
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Thursday U.S. Congressmen Mike Thompson (D-CA) and Paul Gosar (R-AZ) introduced H.R. 6154, The Public Lands Renewable Energy Development Act, bipartisan legislation that streamlines permitting for renewable energy projects on public lands.
“By streamlining renewable energy projects on public lands, we can reduce our dependency on foreign oil and put Californians back to work,” said Thompson. “This bill is good for our economy, our national security and our environment. It will spur job growth, grow our energy sector, support conservation and help us pay down our deficit.”
“Western states like Arizona contain millions of acres of public lands that are suitable for economic development, but bureaucracy is standing in the way,” said Gosar. “As a true supporter of an all-of-the-above energy approach, I am putting forth these common sense reforms to expand renewable energy production. We can get rural Arizona back on track by facilitating job creation, protecting recreational and tourism areas, and paying down our country’s deficit.”
Currently, obtaining permits for renewable projects on public lands can take years.
The Public Lands Renewable Energy Development Act makes it easier for industry to develop by establishing a straightforward process that treats renewable energy similar to traditional sources of energy development like oil and gas.
Additionally, the legislation establishes royalty rates that encourages production, ensures a return for the taxpayer, and maximizes energy generation.
Specifically, the revenues sales from projects are divided by dispersing:
- 25 percent to the county(ies) in which a project is located;
- 25 percent to the state in which a project is located;
- 15 percent for a renewable energy permit processing fund;
- 25 percent to a fund to support conservation; and
- 10 percent to deficit reduction in the federal budget.
Since public lands are not taxable, this bill will allow state and local governments to have a share of the revenues from the sales of energy production on lands within their borders.
These dollars will help local governments deliver services and develop capital improvement projects such as road maintenance, public safety and law enforcement.
The bill was referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources. Thompson and Gosar’s bill is co-sponsored by Mike Coffman (R-CO), Jim Costa (D-CA), Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Cathy McMorris Rogers (R-WA), Jared Polis (D-CO), Michael Simpson (R-ID) and Scott Tipton (R-CO).
Thompson represents California’s 1st Congressional District, which includes the Counties of Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Sonoma, Napa and Yolo.
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UKIAH, Calif. – LACO Associates has earned accreditation from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and acceptance from the Division of the State Architect (DSA) for their Ukiah laboratory located at 311 S. Main St.
In addition to these accreditations, LACO has added several field and laboratory staff members to support the growing demand for construction materials testing and special field inspections, and the Ukiah lab is prepared to serve Mendocino, Sonoma and Lake counties more efficiently and economically than the firm’s Eureka lab.
Mendocino County has only two labs with these certifications, including LACO. There are three certified labs in Sonoma County. LACO’s Eureka lab is one of the only two such labs in Humboldt County.
Both LACO’s Ukiah and Eureka labs are now ready to work on projects for DOT, FHWA, FAA, and numerous local, state, and regional authorities as well as public schools (K-12 and community colleges).
Their capabilities include testing for earthwork, foundations, mix-design reviews, batch plant inspection, concrete sampling, pre-stressed concrete, welding, post-installed anchors, high-strength bolting and fireproofing.
AASHTO accreditation and DSA acceptance demonstrate that the lab rigorously calibrates their equipment and maintains strict quality management systems to support code required construction testing.
LACO provides integrated solutions for development, infrastructure, and geo-environmental projects. The firm has been in business since 1954, and has offices in Eureka, Ukiah and Santa Rosa.
LACO offers engineering, building and site design, planning and permitting, geology and geotechnical, environmental science, materials testing and inspection, survey and drilling services for the North Coast.