Opposition Continues to Bus Rapid Transit Project for Monterey Peninsula

Your Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce continues to support the SURF! Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project of Monterey-Salinas Transit (MST). In the Prosperity Update from the April 9 Chamber Connection, we reported that the Marina Planning Commission had scheduled an April 11 vote on coastal development and tree removal permits for the project. Although the Marina Planning Commission did vote 4-0 to approve the permits, there are now two appeals of their decision that the Marina City Council will soon consider. One objection is from Handcar Tours, the business that operates handcars on the railroad track adjacent to Highway 1 between Marina and Seaside. The other objection is from Keep Ford Ord Wild. See the appeals at these links: Handcar Tours Appeal - April 15, 2024 and Keep Fort Ord Wild Appeal - April 18, 2024.

The Future of Northern California’s Investor-Owned Electric Utility

On September 28, 2022, Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) submitted an application to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to allow the Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) to transfer substantially all of its non-nuclear generation assets to Pacific Generation, a new PG&E subsidiary, which will then sell up to 49.9% of its equity interests to the KKR global investment firm. A decision is rumored to be imminent.

While more than 90% of accounts and electricity consumption in the Monterey Peninsula is affiliated with the publicly-owned Central Coast Community Energy (3CE)community choice aggregation agency rather than the investor-owned PG&E (see 3CE Customer Enrollment and Engagement Report for details by jurisdiction), PG&E remains the owner of the regional power transmission and distribution system. In addition, PG&E is the second-highest Monterey County property taxpayer (behind the Pebble Beach Company).

To see the Public Utilities Commission documents from the September 28, 2022 application to the present related to this application, go to https://apps.cpuc.ca.gov/apex/f?p=401:1:0 and enter A2209018 in the "Proceeding Number Search" box. Then select the Documents tab in the Proceeding Detail.

County of Monterey Draft Housing Element Sixth Cycle Update Available for Public Review

The County has officially released the Draft Sixth Cycle Housing Element (2023-2031) for public review and comment. The Housing Element will be available for a 30-day public review period beginning Monday, May 6, 2024, and ending Thursday, June 6, 2024 .

Comments on the Housing Element must be submitted in writing within the public review period and sent by mail or email to:

County of Monterey

Housing and Community Development

Attn: Jaime Scott Guthrie, Senior Planner

1441 Schilling Place, South 2nd Floor

Salinas, CA 93901

Email: GeneralPlanUpdates@co.monterey.ca.us

Following the public review period, the County will to consider and incorporate public comments within 10 business days. The document will be submitted to the California Department of Housing and Community Development for first 90-day review period.

Once California Department of Housing and Community development send back the draft with revisions, the County of Monterey will make the revised draft available for a 7-day public review period.

Please contact Jaime Scott Guthrie, Senior Planner, at GeneralPlanUpdates@co.monterey.ca.us or (831) 796-6414 if you have questions regarding the Draft 6th Cycle Housing Element.

montereychamber.com

RIBBON CUTTING: ISR Monterey Bay

Tuesday, May 7 | 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM

202 Calle Del Oaks, Del Rey Oaks

MIXER: The Club at Pasadera

Thursday, May 16 | 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM

100 Pasadera Drive, Monterey

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Travel Tips with RoseAnne Ruccello of Travel with RoseAnne

Wednesday, May 29 | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

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MPC is Investing $725,000 in Local Students!

347 Scholarships & 50 Evans College Incentive Awards

The MPC Foundation is awarding a record amount - $725,000! - to support the education and career goals of hundreds of local students this year. Students and donors will be recognized at the Scholarship Awards Ceremony tonight, May 7. The ceremony is open to anyone wishing to join the celebration and be inspired. We look forward to seeing all scholarship recipients continue to thrive and make a positive impact in our community and beyond.

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