How to resolve AdBlock issue? 
Business News
- Details
- Written by: Lake County News Reports
His retirement will become effective on June 30, 2020, which is expected to be after the company’s plan of reorganization is confirmed by the bankruptcy court.
“I joined PG&E to help get the company out of bankruptcy and stabilize operations. By the end of June, I expect that both of these goals will have been met,” said Johnson. “As we look to PG&E’s next chapter, this great company should be led by someone who has the time and career trajectory ahead of them to ensure that it fulfills its promise to reimagine itself as a new utility and deliver the safe and reliable service that its customers and communities expect and deserve. I want to thank the Board as well as all of the employees, who work so hard every day to address the challenges the company has faced--it has been a privilege to work with them.”
PG&E has named William “Bill” Smith as Interim CEO. Smith, who joined the PG&E Board of Directors in 2019, will serve in this role from the time of Johnson’s departure through the appointment of a new CEO. Johnson and Smith will use May and June to transition. Johnson will remain on the board until June 30.
Andrew Vesey, current CEO and president of Pacific Gas and Electric Company, the utility subsidiary, will continue in his role overseeing the company’s electric, gas, generation and customer operations.
Smith is the retired president of AT&T Technology Operations at AT&T Services, Inc., where he spent 37 years with the telecommunications service provider and its predecessor companies.
He held a number of senior officer positions at AT&T, including president of network operations. In his last role, Smith oversaw data center and information technology operations, DIRECTV field operations, planning, engineering, construction, provisioning and maintenance for the company’s wireless and wireline networks.
Throughout his career, he managed organizations with more than 100,000 employees and led network and customer care efforts across a broad global footprint.
“We were fortunate to have Bill Johnson’s experience and steady presence for the past year as he shepherded the company through multiple challenges,” said Nora Mead Brownell, chair of PG&E Corp.’s Board of Directors. “We are equally fortunate now to have Bill Smith step up and provide strong, stable experienced leadership during this transitional period. With his knowledge of the company and his long-time operational and transformation experience in large and heavily regulated, consumer-facing organizations, he is well-positioned to help the company begin its next chapter.”
“I have been deeply involved in the board’s work helping to prepare PG&E for its successful emergence from bankruptcy,” said Bill Smith. “I am delighted that I can bring my knowledge and experience to bear going forward, working together with employees, our regulators, and elected officials to introduce the new PG&E and continue to fulfill the company’s commitments to its customers and communities.”
- Details
- Written by: California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Under the authority of Section 8276.1(c)(1) of the Fish and Game Code, the director may restrict take of commercial Dungeness crab after making a preliminary determination that commercial crab fishing poses a significant risk of marine life entanglement.
Before taking this action, the director considered all recommendations and information provided within the public notice period that ended at 5:30 p.m. on April 17.
Effective May 15, at 11:59 p.m. no vessel may deploy commercial Dungeness crab fishing gear, take or possess crab in Districts 10, 17, 18 or 19 due to significant risk of marine life entanglement. The closure will remain in place for the remainder of the 2019-20 California commercial Dungeness crab season.
CDFW will engage regularly with the California Dungeness Crab Fishing Gear Working Group to review scientific information and advise efforts to minimize the risk of whale and sea turtle entanglements.
Based on that process, CDFW may take additional management actions in response to future risk assessments in the Northern Management Area (Districts 6, 7, 8 and 9).
For more information related to the risk assessment process or this closure, please visit CDFW's Whale Safe Fisheries page.
CDFW understands the challenges faced by California's commercial fishing industry during these difficult times. CDFW is committed to working with our industry partners to maximize their ability to safely deliver fresh, sustainably caught seafood during the COVID-19 crisis.
The decision provides additional time on the water while balancing the need to protect whales and turtles. Further, we will continue to explore options to assist commercial fishermen regarding federal funds earmarked for fisheries and aquaculture in the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security Act. Finally, we encourage local ports and harbors to maintain continuity of commercial fisheries and sales of fish in a manner consistent with the health and safety guidelines issued by the California Department of Public Health and local public health officials.
For more information on Dungeness crab, please visit www.wildlife.ca.gov/crab .
- Details
- Written by: Governor’s Office
The task force will be co-chaired by Governor Newsom’s Chief of Staff Ann O’Leary and philanthropist, environmentalist and businessman Tom Steyer, who was also appointed chief advisor to the governor on business and jobs recovery. He will receive no compensation for his service.
Members of the task force include Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins, Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, Senate Minority Leader Shannon Grove, Assembly Minority Leader Marie Waldron, former Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen, Walt Disney Co. Executive Chairman Bob Iger, former head of the Small Business Administration Aida Álvarez and dozens of prominent leaders in business, labor, health care, academia and philanthropy.
Read the full list of Task Force members here.
“This pandemic has forced millions of Californians out of jobs – with the most vulnerable hit the hardest,” said Gov. Newsom. "While we have made significant progress in flattening the curve and increased preparedness of our health care delivery system, the actions taken have also impacted the economy, poverty and overall health care in California. We will use a gradual, science-based and data-driven framework to guide our re-opening timing while planning our economic recovery. I am honored that dozens of leaders in business, labor, health and philanthropy are stepping up to meet this moment by committing their time and talent to lift up all Californians. Through their leadership, and the leadership of California’s 40 million residents, I have no doubt we will emerge stronger from this crisis.”
The task force will work to develop actions government and businesses can take to help Californians recover as fast as safely possible from the COVID-19 induced recession and to shape a fair, green, and prosperous future. They will meet twice a month throughout 2020 to develop options that would work for all Californians, with a particular focus on those hardest hit by the pandemic.
“Gov. Newsom has been a steady hand and shining example of how to lead during a crisis, and I am thrilled to help in this critical way,” said Steyer. “In the coming weeks and months, we will bring together the public and private sectors, outside experts, organized labor, environmental groups, and activists to develop recommendations for a recovery plan that works for all Californians, with an emphasis on those communities hardest hit by the pandemic. Our goal is to present Governor Newsom with tangible actions that leverage the task force’s expertise to rebuild California, emphasize smart, green technologies and provide a model for just economic development for our country.”
The task force will craft ideas for short, medium, and long-term solutions that reflect communities across the state, and emphasize a fair and equitable recovery. There will be significant emphasis on the state’s strengths, including diversity and innovation.
The task force will not only focus on the state’s immediate recovery but on actions to support a cleaner, more equitable and prosperous future for all Californians. It will build on the important work of other groups including the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisors, the Higher Education Council and the Commission on the Future of Work. Both co-chairs of the Future of Work Commission, President of SEIU Mary Kay Henry and Senior Partner of McKinsey & Co. James Manyika, will serve on the new task force.
The governor formed the Business and Jobs Recovery Task Force just days after he announced a multi-state task force with Oregon and Washington to coordinate the reopening of our regional economy.
Gov. Newsom outlined a road map to recovery with six indicators that should be met before California’s stay-at-home orders are modified.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating effect on California’s economy. The state has seen more than 2.8 million unemployment claims since March 12 – not including undocumented residents or independent contractors. The impact has been particularly devastating for California’s small businesses.
- Details
- Written by: Caltrans
The goal is to increase the number of convenient food options available to truck drivers.
Food truck operators can apply for a temporary encroachment easement permit to operate at one or more of the state’s 86 rest areas.
Each food truck is responsible for all waste cleanup and removal, following all food-safety rules, and maintaining social distancing among employees and customers.
Operators need to specify the rest areas for which they are applying, and the permits will be valid through June 15.
Because food trucks are licensed locally, each truck can only operate within the locality for which they are licensed and permitted by the local health inspector.
“Helping our truckers and facilitating the movement of essential goods during the COVID-19 crisis is a priority. We hope this gives truckers more food options to keep them and the economy moving,” said Caltrans Director Toks Omishakin. “We also hope this provides additional business opportunities for food trucks hit hard by stay-at-home health orders.”
“We appreciate Gov. Newsom and Caltrans for recognizing the vital role truck drivers play in keeping our communities safe and for working with trucking to ensure our industry has the tools necessary to respond to this crisis,” said Shawn Yadon, chief executive officer for the California Trucking Association. “Access to a warm meal is as essential as the truckers on our roads who continue to transport basic necessities, medical supplies and emergency equipment to communities across the state.”
Gov. Newsom’s Executive Order N-52-20 suspends restrictions on selling commercial food at the state’s rest areas during the COVID-19 crisis. The FHWA suspended related federal prohibitions last week.
Caltrans will begin accepting applications immediately. Applicants can submit requests for specific rest areas here.
The state rest area system was created to promote greater safety and convenience on state highways.
For details on each rest area, visit QuickMap at www.quickmap.dot.ca.gov . In the left-most QuickMap window, click on Options and then click the Rest Area box. A simple map of the rest areas is also attached to this email.
Because many rest areas have been established in remote areas with fewer roadside services available, Caltrans cannot guarantee every rest area will be served by a food truck and at what frequency. Lists of participating food trucks will be posted on the Caltrans website.
If an applicant has any questions, they should contact their local district. See a list of contacts by district here.