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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — On Thursday, the California Public Utilities Commission approved $48 million for eight broadband infrastructure projects — including three in Lake County — as part of the multi-year $2 billion Last Mile Federal Funding Account grant program, which expands broadband internet access for underserved and unserved communities across California.
The CPUC said the Last Mile Federal Funding Account “highlights the state’s commitment to bridging the digital divide through Broadband For All.”
The proposed projects will serve predominantly disadvantaged and low-income communities across the state.
The Last Mile Federal Funding Account broadband infrastructure grants the CPUC awarded on Thursday include $15 million for three projects in Lake County, benefitting 7,000 residents; $17 million for three projects in Fresno County, benefiting approximately 13,000 individuals; and $17 million for two projects in Sonoma County, benefiting approximately 2,100 Californians.
In Lake County, two of the projects are proposed by AT&T around Hidden Valley Lake and Mount Hannah in the south county, and the third by Mediacom, which will have sites near Clearlake, Clearlake Oaks, Kelseyville and Lakeport, according to the grant documents.
The companies submitted the grant applications in September of 2023.
The commission is awarding $2,218,869, or 68% of the cost, for AT&T’s Lake-1 project, which will serve 620 unserved locations and offer service to a total population of 3,073. It will provide up to 5,000/5,000 Mbps service to consumers and include the deployment of 103 miles of last-mile fiber. The project’s network infrastructure will be 12% underground and 88% aerial.
AT&T’s second project, Lake-1E, will receive up to $4 million of the total project cost of $5,906,345. It will serve 504 unserved locations and benefit an estimated population of 1,671. The project also will provide up to 5,000/5,000 Mbps service to consumers. It will include the deployment of 60 miles of last-mile fiber, with 20 percent of the infrastructure underground and 80 percent aerial.
The third grant award of up to $8,429,712 goes to Mediacom’s Lake County Grant Build project, which proposes to serve an estimated 1,037 unserved locations and benefit up to 2,249 residents. It will provide up to 2,000/1,000 Mbps service to consumers and deploy approximately 50 miles of last-mile fiber and 35 miles of middle mile fiber. The network infrastructure will be 14 percent underground and 86 percent aerial.
“We are putting these funds to work, generating quality jobs, bolstering our economy, and building fast, reliable, and affordable broadband infrastructure,” said CPUC President Alice Reynolds.
“Due to historical underinvestment, many communities across California lack access to fast, reliable, and reasonably priced broadband service, which is now a necessity to fully participate in work, school, and daily life,” said Commissioner Darcie L. Houck. “These Federal Funding Account grants represent another step in alleviating this historical disparity by closing the digital divide and providing Broadband for All Californians. I look forward to seeing the benefits of these investments that will provide opportunities for many generations to come in Sonoma, Fresno, and Lake counties.”
Currently, the total amount in Federal Funding Account grants awarded is over $1 billion for projects in 51 counties, with $550 million set to be appropriated to the Last Mile program in the 2027-28 state budget.
The CPUC did not say if the funding is in any jeopardy due to actions by the Trump Administration.
Established under Senate Bill 156 (2021), the CPUC said its Last Mile Federal Funding Account is fueling economic growth across rural, tribal, and urban communities statewide.
Thursday’s approval is part of a process to award last mile broadband grants to projects in every region in the state to established internet service providers, small providers, local governments, tribes and special districts.
Email Elizabeth Larson atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, and on Bluesky, @erlarson.bsky.social. Find Lake County News on the following platforms: Facebook, @LakeCoNews; X, @LakeCoNews; Threads, @lakeconews, and on Bluesky, @lakeconews.bsky.social.
The CPUC said the Last Mile Federal Funding Account “highlights the state’s commitment to bridging the digital divide through Broadband For All.”
The proposed projects will serve predominantly disadvantaged and low-income communities across the state.
The Last Mile Federal Funding Account broadband infrastructure grants the CPUC awarded on Thursday include $15 million for three projects in Lake County, benefitting 7,000 residents; $17 million for three projects in Fresno County, benefiting approximately 13,000 individuals; and $17 million for two projects in Sonoma County, benefiting approximately 2,100 Californians.
In Lake County, two of the projects are proposed by AT&T around Hidden Valley Lake and Mount Hannah in the south county, and the third by Mediacom, which will have sites near Clearlake, Clearlake Oaks, Kelseyville and Lakeport, according to the grant documents.
The companies submitted the grant applications in September of 2023.
The commission is awarding $2,218,869, or 68% of the cost, for AT&T’s Lake-1 project, which will serve 620 unserved locations and offer service to a total population of 3,073. It will provide up to 5,000/5,000 Mbps service to consumers and include the deployment of 103 miles of last-mile fiber. The project’s network infrastructure will be 12% underground and 88% aerial.
AT&T’s second project, Lake-1E, will receive up to $4 million of the total project cost of $5,906,345. It will serve 504 unserved locations and benefit an estimated population of 1,671. The project also will provide up to 5,000/5,000 Mbps service to consumers. It will include the deployment of 60 miles of last-mile fiber, with 20 percent of the infrastructure underground and 80 percent aerial.
The third grant award of up to $8,429,712 goes to Mediacom’s Lake County Grant Build project, which proposes to serve an estimated 1,037 unserved locations and benefit up to 2,249 residents. It will provide up to 2,000/1,000 Mbps service to consumers and deploy approximately 50 miles of last-mile fiber and 35 miles of middle mile fiber. The network infrastructure will be 14 percent underground and 86 percent aerial.
“We are putting these funds to work, generating quality jobs, bolstering our economy, and building fast, reliable, and affordable broadband infrastructure,” said CPUC President Alice Reynolds.
“Due to historical underinvestment, many communities across California lack access to fast, reliable, and reasonably priced broadband service, which is now a necessity to fully participate in work, school, and daily life,” said Commissioner Darcie L. Houck. “These Federal Funding Account grants represent another step in alleviating this historical disparity by closing the digital divide and providing Broadband for All Californians. I look forward to seeing the benefits of these investments that will provide opportunities for many generations to come in Sonoma, Fresno, and Lake counties.”
Currently, the total amount in Federal Funding Account grants awarded is over $1 billion for projects in 51 counties, with $550 million set to be appropriated to the Last Mile program in the 2027-28 state budget.
The CPUC did not say if the funding is in any jeopardy due to actions by the Trump Administration.
Established under Senate Bill 156 (2021), the CPUC said its Last Mile Federal Funding Account is fueling economic growth across rural, tribal, and urban communities statewide.
Thursday’s approval is part of a process to award last mile broadband grants to projects in every region in the state to established internet service providers, small providers, local governments, tribes and special districts.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
With an atmospheric river expected to arrive in Northern California this weekend, California is pre-deploying resources — including thousands of personnel — to help protect communities from storm impacts.
Gov. Gavin Newsom has directed the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, or Cal OES, to coordinate state and local partners to deploy emergency resources to support impacted communities. State officials are urging people to take precautions now before the storm arrives.
National Weather Service Sacramento is forecasting a moderate to strong atmospheric river to begin Friday and continue into next week. Prolonged periods of rain and mountain snow are expected, with the potential for flash flooding and rising creeks, rivers, and streams.
“We know from experience that these storms can pack a punch,” said Gov. Gavin Newsom. “California is pre-deploying resources and thousands of boots on the ground throughout Northern California so we can be ready at a moment’s notice to protect people. The best thing people can do now is to prepare and stay alert.”
Cal OES is monitoring weather impacts and working closely with local areas that are forecasted to be affected. In particular, the state is closely monitoring recent burn scar areas that pose the threat of mudslides and debris flows. Together, the state is preparing:
• The State-Federal Flood Operations Center is monitoring forecasts and coordinating with partners.
• In collaboration with the California-Nevada River Forecast Center (CNRFC), DWR engineers and CNRFC hydrologists are conducting river forecasts up to four times a day.
• DWR has pre-positioned flood fight materials in Northern and Central California including over 3.7 million burlap sandbags and 162 flood fight material containers across 25 counties.
• The flood control system is working as intended with flood space available throughout the system. Water can move throughout California’s flood control system including natural weirs overtopping, water in the region’s bypasses, and potential use of spillways at reservoirs.
• Caltrans has 2,500 personnel and 1,253 pieces of storm equipment including snowplows, backhoes, and storm drain clearing equipment.
• 133 CAL FIRE engines and 7 CAL FIRE hand crews staffed across the northern region that are ready to respond.
An atmospheric river could bring an increased risk of power outages, flooding in small streams and low-lying areas, and debris, rocks and mudslides on roadways.
Cal OES is encouraging residents to reduce injury risks from falling limbs and trees by staying inside, not driving through flooded roadways and preparing in advance for power outages.
Residents in the affected counties are urged to stay informed and listen to local authorities about actions they should take including evacuation orders or safety recommendations. In burn scar areas, officials recommend preparing for possible sudden debris flows by having a go-bag packed and knowing evacuation routes.
Go to ready.ca.gov for tips to prepare for the incoming storm.
Gov. Gavin Newsom has directed the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, or Cal OES, to coordinate state and local partners to deploy emergency resources to support impacted communities. State officials are urging people to take precautions now before the storm arrives.
National Weather Service Sacramento is forecasting a moderate to strong atmospheric river to begin Friday and continue into next week. Prolonged periods of rain and mountain snow are expected, with the potential for flash flooding and rising creeks, rivers, and streams.
“We know from experience that these storms can pack a punch,” said Gov. Gavin Newsom. “California is pre-deploying resources and thousands of boots on the ground throughout Northern California so we can be ready at a moment’s notice to protect people. The best thing people can do now is to prepare and stay alert.”
Cal OES is monitoring weather impacts and working closely with local areas that are forecasted to be affected. In particular, the state is closely monitoring recent burn scar areas that pose the threat of mudslides and debris flows. Together, the state is preparing:
• The State-Federal Flood Operations Center is monitoring forecasts and coordinating with partners.
• In collaboration with the California-Nevada River Forecast Center (CNRFC), DWR engineers and CNRFC hydrologists are conducting river forecasts up to four times a day.
• DWR has pre-positioned flood fight materials in Northern and Central California including over 3.7 million burlap sandbags and 162 flood fight material containers across 25 counties.
• The flood control system is working as intended with flood space available throughout the system. Water can move throughout California’s flood control system including natural weirs overtopping, water in the region’s bypasses, and potential use of spillways at reservoirs.
• Caltrans has 2,500 personnel and 1,253 pieces of storm equipment including snowplows, backhoes, and storm drain clearing equipment.
• 133 CAL FIRE engines and 7 CAL FIRE hand crews staffed across the northern region that are ready to respond.
An atmospheric river could bring an increased risk of power outages, flooding in small streams and low-lying areas, and debris, rocks and mudslides on roadways.
Cal OES is encouraging residents to reduce injury risks from falling limbs and trees by staying inside, not driving through flooded roadways and preparing in advance for power outages.
Residents in the affected counties are urged to stay informed and listen to local authorities about actions they should take including evacuation orders or safety recommendations. In burn scar areas, officials recommend preparing for possible sudden debris flows by having a go-bag packed and knowing evacuation routes.
Go to ready.ca.gov for tips to prepare for the incoming storm.
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- Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
The California Farm Bureau is weighing in on growing concerns about immigration that could have an impact on farmers across the state.
While there have been news reports of unease among some farm employees, the California Farm Bureau said it has been in contact with numerous farmers across the state and has not heard of any widespread workforce disruption.
Bryan Little, senior director of policy advocacy at the California Farm Bureau, which represents more than 26,000 farm and ranch families in the state, clarified that while concerns exist, farmers are continuing operations.
While it’s unclear if all farms are fully operational, Farm Bureau has not received reports indicating otherwise, and efforts are always underway to ensure workforce stability.
“We recognize that some workers may feel uncertain right now, and we want to be very clear: California agriculture depends on and values its workforce,” Little said. “Farm employees are not just workers — they are partners in this industry. They are people with families, dreams and an incredible work ethic that keeps food on tables across America. We understand the uncertainty some might feel right now, and we want to be absolutely clear: California’s farmers stand with you. We respect you. We value you. And we will do everything in our power to ensure that agriculture remains a place where you are safe and supported.”
With one-third of the nation’s agricultural workforce located in California, farm employees play an indispensable role in food production. These skilled workers plant, cultivate and harvest the crops that make California the leading producer of fruits, vegetables and nuts in the United States.
“Without these employees, crops would go unharvested, rural businesses would suffer and food prices could rise for families across the country,” Little said. “This is not just a farm issue — it’s a food security issue, an economic issue and a community issue.”
The interdependence of agriculture and rural economies is without question, according to Little. Thousands of employees in ag-adjacent industries — including food processing, transportation and equipment suppliers — depend on the steady flow of agricultural work to sustain their livelihoods.
Little addressed the urgent need for immigration policy reform, noting that California’s agricultural workforce challenges are not new.
“Farmers and ranchers have struggled with chronic labor shortages for years, and uncertainty surrounding immigration policy only exacerbates the problem,” he said. “California’s farmers and ranchers are ready to work with the administration and Congress to advance real, bipartisan workforce reforms this year,“ Little said. “This isn’t just about filling jobs — it’s about ensuring security and stability for the agricultural workforce and the farmers who depend on them.”
To provide a long-term solution, Little outlined three key priorities for workforce reform:
• Modernizing the H-2A agricultural visa program to make it more flexible and responsive to the labor needs of farmers and ranchers.
• Providing earned legal status for current agricultural workers, recognizing their longstanding contributions to U.S. food production.
• Crafting immigration policies that reflect the reality of agriculture in a diverse state like California, where workforce stability is essential to feeding the nation.
While supporting lawful immigration policies, the Farm Bureau cautioned against indiscriminate enforcement actions that do not account for workforce stability.
“We need policies that offer real solutions, rather than uncertainty,” Little said. “It’s like pulling the foundation out from under a house. If we want a strong agricultural economy and a secure food supply, we need solutions that reflect the reality of farming — not blanket enforcement measures that put the entire agricultural system at risk.”
Little said the California Farm Bureau remains in close contact with worker advocates, policymakers and agricultural leaders to monitor any reports of workforce disruption and to help ensure that California’s farms continue to function smoothly during all of California’s upcoming harvest periods.
“California Farm Bureau will continue to advocate for practical, compassionate solutions that protect our workforce, stabilize our industry and secure America’s food supply,” Little said. “California agriculture is strong, and our message to farm employees is simple. You are essential. You are valued. And farmers will continue to stand with you. As harvest season approaches in key growing areas, we will do everything in our power to ensure a stable and secure workforce, a dependable food supply and a strong agricultural economy for the future.”
The California Farm Bureau works to protect family farms and ranches on behalf of more than 26,000 members statewide and as part of a nationwide network of 5.8 million Farm Bureau members.
While there have been news reports of unease among some farm employees, the California Farm Bureau said it has been in contact with numerous farmers across the state and has not heard of any widespread workforce disruption.
Bryan Little, senior director of policy advocacy at the California Farm Bureau, which represents more than 26,000 farm and ranch families in the state, clarified that while concerns exist, farmers are continuing operations.
While it’s unclear if all farms are fully operational, Farm Bureau has not received reports indicating otherwise, and efforts are always underway to ensure workforce stability.
“We recognize that some workers may feel uncertain right now, and we want to be very clear: California agriculture depends on and values its workforce,” Little said. “Farm employees are not just workers — they are partners in this industry. They are people with families, dreams and an incredible work ethic that keeps food on tables across America. We understand the uncertainty some might feel right now, and we want to be absolutely clear: California’s farmers stand with you. We respect you. We value you. And we will do everything in our power to ensure that agriculture remains a place where you are safe and supported.”
With one-third of the nation’s agricultural workforce located in California, farm employees play an indispensable role in food production. These skilled workers plant, cultivate and harvest the crops that make California the leading producer of fruits, vegetables and nuts in the United States.
“Without these employees, crops would go unharvested, rural businesses would suffer and food prices could rise for families across the country,” Little said. “This is not just a farm issue — it’s a food security issue, an economic issue and a community issue.”
The interdependence of agriculture and rural economies is without question, according to Little. Thousands of employees in ag-adjacent industries — including food processing, transportation and equipment suppliers — depend on the steady flow of agricultural work to sustain their livelihoods.
Little addressed the urgent need for immigration policy reform, noting that California’s agricultural workforce challenges are not new.
“Farmers and ranchers have struggled with chronic labor shortages for years, and uncertainty surrounding immigration policy only exacerbates the problem,” he said. “California’s farmers and ranchers are ready to work with the administration and Congress to advance real, bipartisan workforce reforms this year,“ Little said. “This isn’t just about filling jobs — it’s about ensuring security and stability for the agricultural workforce and the farmers who depend on them.”
To provide a long-term solution, Little outlined three key priorities for workforce reform:
• Modernizing the H-2A agricultural visa program to make it more flexible and responsive to the labor needs of farmers and ranchers.
• Providing earned legal status for current agricultural workers, recognizing their longstanding contributions to U.S. food production.
• Crafting immigration policies that reflect the reality of agriculture in a diverse state like California, where workforce stability is essential to feeding the nation.
While supporting lawful immigration policies, the Farm Bureau cautioned against indiscriminate enforcement actions that do not account for workforce stability.
“We need policies that offer real solutions, rather than uncertainty,” Little said. “It’s like pulling the foundation out from under a house. If we want a strong agricultural economy and a secure food supply, we need solutions that reflect the reality of farming — not blanket enforcement measures that put the entire agricultural system at risk.”
Little said the California Farm Bureau remains in close contact with worker advocates, policymakers and agricultural leaders to monitor any reports of workforce disruption and to help ensure that California’s farms continue to function smoothly during all of California’s upcoming harvest periods.
“California Farm Bureau will continue to advocate for practical, compassionate solutions that protect our workforce, stabilize our industry and secure America’s food supply,” Little said. “California agriculture is strong, and our message to farm employees is simple. You are essential. You are valued. And farmers will continue to stand with you. As harvest season approaches in key growing areas, we will do everything in our power to ensure a stable and secure workforce, a dependable food supply and a strong agricultural economy for the future.”
The California Farm Bureau works to protect family farms and ranches on behalf of more than 26,000 members statewide and as part of a nationwide network of 5.8 million Farm Bureau members.
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- Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
CLEARLAKE, Calif. — Clearlake Animal Control has more new dogs ready to be adopted this week.
The shelter has 48 adoptable dogs listed on its website.
This week’s dogs include “Dodge,” a male short coat Chihuahua.
The shelter is located at 6820 Old Highway 53. It’s open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
For more information, call the shelter at 707-762-6227, email
This week’s adoptable dogs are featured below.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The California Highway Patrol is investigating a Wednesday crash that resulted in one fatality near Clearlake Oaks.
So far, the identity of the crash victim has not been released by authorities.
Sheriff’s spokesperson Lauren Berlinn told Lake County News Thursday afternoon that they are still working on next of kin notification.
The CHP’s Clear Lake Area office said their officers were dispatched to assist the sheriff’s office with a fatality traffic collision at 3:11 p.m. Wednesday.
The CHP said the sheriff’s office was investigating a missing persons case and, with the assistance of California Department of Fish and Wildlife, located a vehicle down a steep embankment on High Valley Road, near Valley Oak Drive.
The investigating officers and deputies found the missing person dead near the vehicle.
The CHP is investigating this incident.
Anyone with information or knowledge of the incident is asked to contact the Clear Lake CHP Office, at 707-279-0103.
Email Elizabeth Larson atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, and on Bluesky, @erlarson.bsky.social. Find Lake County News on the following platforms: Facebook, @LakeCoNews; X, @LakeCoNews; Threads, @lakeconews, and on Bluesky, @lakeconews.bsky.social.
So far, the identity of the crash victim has not been released by authorities.
Sheriff’s spokesperson Lauren Berlinn told Lake County News Thursday afternoon that they are still working on next of kin notification.
The CHP’s Clear Lake Area office said their officers were dispatched to assist the sheriff’s office with a fatality traffic collision at 3:11 p.m. Wednesday.
The CHP said the sheriff’s office was investigating a missing persons case and, with the assistance of California Department of Fish and Wildlife, located a vehicle down a steep embankment on High Valley Road, near Valley Oak Drive.
The investigating officers and deputies found the missing person dead near the vehicle.
The CHP is investigating this incident.
Anyone with information or knowledge of the incident is asked to contact the Clear Lake CHP Office, at 707-279-0103.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — A series of inbound winter atmospheric river storms are forecast to bring several inches of rain and — in the higher elevations — snow into early next week.
The National Weather Service’s Eureka office said rain will arrive late on Thursday, with as much as 4 inches expected to fall across Lake County over the course of several days.
The Lake County forecast anticipates daytime conditions on Thursday to include temperatures in the high 50s and mild winds from the southeast.
There will be up to a quarter of an inch of rain on Thursday night, when temperatures will dip into the high 30s, with light winds of just under 10 miles per hour.
The rain will continue on Friday, with light winds continuing and about an inch and three quarters of rain. Daytime temperatures will be in the high 40s, dropping to the low 40s at night.
Another one to two inches of rain is forecast to fall during the day on Saturday and up to three quarters of an inch on Saturday night. Temperatures will be in the low 50s during the day and the low 40s at night, with mild southwest winds.
The California Nevada River Forecast Center said the storms are expected to cause Cache Creek’s flow to double and for the level of Clear Lake to climb from just over 6 feet Rumsey — the special measure for the lake — to nearly 6.8 feet Rumsey.
The National Weather Service said another atmospheric river is expected to arrive on Sunday.
“This system has more moisture and the potential to bring at least localized flooding if rain falls on the same areas that receive the rain Thursday night through Friday night,” the National Weather Service reported.
Forecasters said it’s uncertain of where that second storm system will hit and how much rain it might bring.
That rain will combine with temperatures in the high 40s to low 50s during the day and the low 30s to low 40s at night, based on the forecast.
Email Elizabeth Larson atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, and on Bluesky, @erlarson.bsky.social. Find Lake County News on the following platforms: Facebook, @LakeCoNews; X, @LakeCoNews; Threads, @lakeconews, and on Bluesky, @lakeconews.bsky.social.
The National Weather Service’s Eureka office said rain will arrive late on Thursday, with as much as 4 inches expected to fall across Lake County over the course of several days.
The Lake County forecast anticipates daytime conditions on Thursday to include temperatures in the high 50s and mild winds from the southeast.
There will be up to a quarter of an inch of rain on Thursday night, when temperatures will dip into the high 30s, with light winds of just under 10 miles per hour.
The rain will continue on Friday, with light winds continuing and about an inch and three quarters of rain. Daytime temperatures will be in the high 40s, dropping to the low 40s at night.
Another one to two inches of rain is forecast to fall during the day on Saturday and up to three quarters of an inch on Saturday night. Temperatures will be in the low 50s during the day and the low 40s at night, with mild southwest winds.
The California Nevada River Forecast Center said the storms are expected to cause Cache Creek’s flow to double and for the level of Clear Lake to climb from just over 6 feet Rumsey — the special measure for the lake — to nearly 6.8 feet Rumsey.
The National Weather Service said another atmospheric river is expected to arrive on Sunday.
“This system has more moisture and the potential to bring at least localized flooding if rain falls on the same areas that receive the rain Thursday night through Friday night,” the National Weather Service reported.
Forecasters said it’s uncertain of where that second storm system will hit and how much rain it might bring.
That rain will combine with temperatures in the high 40s to low 50s during the day and the low 30s to low 40s at night, based on the forecast.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
On Wednesday, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) announced he joined 153 colleagues in sending a letter to the Trump Administration after President Trump issued an executive order on his first day in office that could pause all disbursements of Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding immediately.
The administration has not yet clarified which projects, programs and activities are frozen.
The letter urges the Trump Administration to disclose a full list of these frozen initiatives.
This order is separate from Monday evening’s grant funding freeze issued by the Office of Management and Budget.
"This executive order is a source of great anxiety for communities and businesses across the country that use this funding to build new roads, fix bridges, replace lead pipes, expand broadband access, strengthen infrastructure against natural disasters, and much more," Rep. Thompson wrote in the letter. "Work is already underway on tens of thousands of projects in both the public and private sector, but their completion depends on these funds, which were already approved by Congress and enacted into law."
California’s Fourth District has been awarded critical federal funding through the IRA and BIL to carry out local infrastructure projects. Pausing the receipt of funds that have not yet been delivered would be detrimental to those projects.
The full text of the letter can be found below.
Dear Directors Vaeth and Hassett,
We write to request an itemized list of programs, projects, and activities that have been put on hold because of President Trump’s January 20, 2025, executive order pausing the disbursement of funds included in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).
Section 7 of the order states that this pause goes into effect “immediately” for these two laws, “including but not limited to funds for electric vehicle charging stations made available through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program and the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program...” This vague language has sweeping implications, potentially pausing everything from active highway and bridge construction projects to broadband and water infrastructure expansions that received IIJA funding.
A day after President Trump issued the executive order, you followed up with a memorandum that did little to clarify exactly which projects and programs the executive order paused. In the memorandum, you wrote, “this pause only applies to funds supporting programs, projects, or activities that may be implicated by the policy established in Section 2 of the order.” Section 2 of the order, however, provides only a series of broad, subjective policy objectives, rather than detailed guidelines specifying which projects ought to be frozen. Additionally, your memorandum states that “agency heads may disburse funds as they deem necessary after consulting with the Office of Management and Budget.”
Given the “immediate” nature of this pause and OMB’s role in overseeing further disbursements, OMB must have a list of which programs are currently receiving disbursements and which are frozen. We ask that you be transparent with the American people and make this information available immediately.
This executive order is a source of great anxiety for communities and businesses across the country that use this funding to build new roads, fix bridges, replace lead pipes, expand broadband access, strengthen infrastructure against natural disasters, and much more. Work is already underway on tens of thousands of projects in both the public and private sector, but their completion depends on these funds, which were already approved by Congress and enacted into law.
As a businessman, President Trump ought to know that delaying an ongoing construction project comes at an immense dollar price. As a president, he ought to know that delaying these projects needlessly makes our government less efficient.
We urge you to clarify what specific funds this Administration is withholding unconstitutionally – funds that our laws require be invested in American communities. The American people deserve an answer, and if President Trump’s repeated claims that he cares about government transparency were honest, you will provide them with one.
The administration has not yet clarified which projects, programs and activities are frozen.
The letter urges the Trump Administration to disclose a full list of these frozen initiatives.
This order is separate from Monday evening’s grant funding freeze issued by the Office of Management and Budget.
"This executive order is a source of great anxiety for communities and businesses across the country that use this funding to build new roads, fix bridges, replace lead pipes, expand broadband access, strengthen infrastructure against natural disasters, and much more," Rep. Thompson wrote in the letter. "Work is already underway on tens of thousands of projects in both the public and private sector, but their completion depends on these funds, which were already approved by Congress and enacted into law."
California’s Fourth District has been awarded critical federal funding through the IRA and BIL to carry out local infrastructure projects. Pausing the receipt of funds that have not yet been delivered would be detrimental to those projects.
The full text of the letter can be found below.
Dear Directors Vaeth and Hassett,
We write to request an itemized list of programs, projects, and activities that have been put on hold because of President Trump’s January 20, 2025, executive order pausing the disbursement of funds included in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).
Section 7 of the order states that this pause goes into effect “immediately” for these two laws, “including but not limited to funds for electric vehicle charging stations made available through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program and the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program...” This vague language has sweeping implications, potentially pausing everything from active highway and bridge construction projects to broadband and water infrastructure expansions that received IIJA funding.
A day after President Trump issued the executive order, you followed up with a memorandum that did little to clarify exactly which projects and programs the executive order paused. In the memorandum, you wrote, “this pause only applies to funds supporting programs, projects, or activities that may be implicated by the policy established in Section 2 of the order.” Section 2 of the order, however, provides only a series of broad, subjective policy objectives, rather than detailed guidelines specifying which projects ought to be frozen. Additionally, your memorandum states that “agency heads may disburse funds as they deem necessary after consulting with the Office of Management and Budget.”
Given the “immediate” nature of this pause and OMB’s role in overseeing further disbursements, OMB must have a list of which programs are currently receiving disbursements and which are frozen. We ask that you be transparent with the American people and make this information available immediately.
This executive order is a source of great anxiety for communities and businesses across the country that use this funding to build new roads, fix bridges, replace lead pipes, expand broadband access, strengthen infrastructure against natural disasters, and much more. Work is already underway on tens of thousands of projects in both the public and private sector, but their completion depends on these funds, which were already approved by Congress and enacted into law.
As a businessman, President Trump ought to know that delaying an ongoing construction project comes at an immense dollar price. As a president, he ought to know that delaying these projects needlessly makes our government less efficient.
We urge you to clarify what specific funds this Administration is withholding unconstitutionally – funds that our laws require be invested in American communities. The American people deserve an answer, and if President Trump’s repeated claims that he cares about government transparency were honest, you will provide them with one.
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- Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
