By Bo Tefu and Antonio Ray Harvey, California Black Media
Feds: California Will Be Home to New National Semiconductor Technology Center
California was chosen by the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) and Natcast, the operator of the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC) to be home to the headquarters for the National Semiconductor Technology Center – as part of the Biden-Harris Admin’s CHIPS and Science Act.
The CHIPS for America Design and Collaboration Facility (DCF) will be one of three CHIPS for America research and design (R&D) facilities and will also operate as the headquarters for the NTSC and Natcast.
“We are thrilled that the Department of Commerce and Natcast chose to locate this critically important facility in Sunnyvale, the heart of the Silicon Valley, alongside the world’s largest concentration of semiconductor businesses, talent, intellectual property, and investment activity,” said Dee Dee Myers, Senior Economic Advisor to Gov. Gavin Newsom and Director of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz). “The Newsom Administration and our partners across the industry know how important it is to shorten the timeframe from R&D to commercialization.”
According to GO-Biz, the DCF is expected to direct over $1 billion in research funding and create more than 200 employees in the next decade. The facility will serve as the center for advanced semiconductor research in chip design, electronic design automation, chip and system architecture, and hardware security. The CHF will be essential to the country’s semiconductor workforce development efforts.
As detailed in the released NSTC Strategic Plan, the DCF will suppress the obstacles to “semiconductor prototyping, experimentation,” and other R&D activities that will enhance the country’s global power and leadership in design, materials, and process innovation while enabling a vigorous domestic industr“Establishing the NSTC headquarters and design hub in California will capitalize on our state’s unparalleled assets to grow a highly skilled workforce and develop next-generation advancements,” stated U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.). “This CHIPS Act funding will propel emerging technologies and protect America’s global semiconductor leadership, all while bringing good-paying jobs to our state.”
California Ports to Receive Over $1 Billion in Federal Funds to Decarbonize
Last week, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) announced that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will allocate over $1 billion to seven California ports for zero-emission (ZE) infrastructure and climate management plans.
In an Oct. 29 press release, Padilla said this funding, part of the EPA’s Clean Ports Program and supported by the Inflation Reduction Act, aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality at ports nationwide.
Among the grants, the Port of Los Angeles received over $411 million, the largest award in the country. California ports are vital to the national economy, handling about 40% of containerized imports and 30% of exports.
“California’s ports move the goods that power our economy. This historic investment in our ports is a major step forward in accelerating the zero-emission infrastructure transition,” said Padilla.
Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka and fellow port officials echoed Padilla’s sentiments, with plans to acquire over 400 pieces of ZE cargo handling equipment, reducing emissions by 41,500 tons annually.
“This transformative investment will be a tremendous boost to our efforts to meet our ambitious zero emission goals, improve regional air quality, and combat climate change while accelerating the port industry’s transition to zero emissions across the country,” said Seroka.
Other ports, including Oakland, Stockton, San Diego, and San Francisco, will also use their grants to transition to ZE operations, improve regional air quality, and create job opportunities.
The EPA’s funding will support various projects, from electrifying cargo terminals to establishing the first high-speed zero-emission ferry network in the U.S. Ports will collaborate with various stakeholders to ensure these investments benefit their surrounding communities.
The port of Hueneme in Ventura County and the Port of Redwood City on the Southern San Francisco Bay will also receive funding, respectively.
Covered California Open Enrollment Began Nov. 1
Open enrollment for Covered California kicked off on Nov. 1, 2024, offering individuals, families, and businesses a chance to secure quality, affordable health insurance for the upcoming year. This annual enrollment period allows California residents to choose from a variety of health plans that meet their specific needs.
Covered California offers comprehensive coverage, including preventive care and financial assistance to help eligible applicants lower their monthly premiums. The program features insurance plans from leading providers, ensuring access to essential health services such as doctor visits, hospital care, and mental health services.
This year, notable updates include expanded financial assistance, which increases the support available for eligible households to help offset monthly costs. Additionally, consumers will find greater plan flexibility, allowing them to select options that fit their lifestyles and budgets. Access to no-cost preventive services — like vaccinations, screenings, and annual check-ups — remains a priority.
Key enrollment deadlines are set as follows:
- The open enrollment period runs from Nov. 1, 2024, to Jan. 31, 2025.
- Those who enroll by Dec. 15, 2024, will have their coverage start on Jan. 1, 2025.
To facilitate enrollment, applicants can fill out an inquiry form on the Covered California website, reach out to Certified Enrollment Counselors, or contact Covered California directly at (888) 234-5366 or via email at [email protected].
The California Black Health Network (CBHN) collaborates with Covered California to advocate for health equity, focusing on underserved communities, including unemployed and gig workers. CBHN’s certified enrollers engage in outreach and onsite signups to help individuals access affordable healthcare options.
Gov. Newsom Issues Executive Order to Tackle Rising Electric Bills
Gov. Gavin Newsom has issued an executive order to help alleviate the financial burden of skyrocketing electric bills on residents. This directive instructs the state’s Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and Energy Commission to identify strategies to lower electricity costs and prevent rapid increases in the future.
Among the key actions proposed, the governor emphasized a closer examination of utility expenditures related to wildfire mitigation, which accounts for about 13% of residential electric bills.
Newsom underscored the state’s commitment to balancing affordability with environmental goals.
“We’re taking action to address rising electricity costs and save consumers money on their bills,” said Newsom. “California is proving that we can address affordability concerns as we continue our world-leading efforts to combat the climate crisis.”
California now has the second-highest electric rates in the country, trailing only Hawaii, with residential bills having surged as much as 110% over the past decade. The largest utilities, including Pacific Gas & Electric, Southern California Edison, and San Diego Gas & Electric, have seen rate hikes of 20% to 50% in just the last three years, approved by the state’s regulatory bodies.
The executive order also directs the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to explore increasing the California Climate Credit, which provides some relief on energy costs for residents. Additionally, the PUC is urged to pursue federal funding opportunities to further reduce electric expenses.
While consumer advocates welcomed the governor’s focus on lowering costs, concerns were raised regarding potential cuts to essential clean energy programs. CALPIRG, a consumer group, pointed out that the real issue behind high utility bills is wasteful spending by utilities and urged greater accountability.
Newsom Introduces Housing Program for Formerly Incarcerated Individuals
Gov. Gavin Newsom has announced a new program that aims to improve public safety through federally funded investments in supportive housing for individuals exiting incarceration. This initiative, collaboratively managed by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), seeks to reduce homelessness and recidivism among formerly incarcerated individuals.
The federal funding will help the state reduce homelessness and support those looking for a clean start by, “ensuring that those exiting our prison system have the resources and housing they need makes us all safer,” said Newsom.
Newsom stressed the importance of stable housing for successful reintegration. Formerly incarcerated individuals are nearly ten times more likely to experience homelessness, often facing barriers to public housing programs.
The HOME American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP) Reentry Housing Pilot Project (RHPP) will allocate $16 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The program aims to provide safe, stable housing alongside comprehensive services that promote employment, education, and healthcare access, which are crucial for reducing recidivism rates.
Jeff Macomber, Secretary of the CDCR, said that the CDCR understands the impact of homelessness on California’s communities and is committed to enhancing public safety and promoting successful community reintegration.
“Housing stability is an important aspect to successful reentry, and this groundbreaking effort in partnership with HCD will provide a valuable opportunity to address these challenges,” said Macomber.
Applications for the program are now open until the Dec. 31, 2024, deadline. Initial funding awards are expected in the summer of 2025.
Attorney General Bonta: California to Receive $4.2 Billion in Opioid Settlement Cash
California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced last week that the state is poised to receive up to $4.2 billion in opioid abatement funds from nationwide settlements and bankruptcies related to the opioid crisis. This funding aims to support local governments in combating the devastating impacts of opioid and fentanyl misuse.
In an Oct. 30 statement, Bonta emphasized the urgency of addressing the crisis, which has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives across the nation. He noted that more than 10,900 Californians died from overdoses in 2022, with nearly 6,500 fatalities linked to fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid.
Recognizing the escalating toll, the Attorney General issued guidance to help local governments strategically utilize the settlement funds for prevention, treatment, and recovery initiatives.
“The opioid epidemic, fueled by prescription opioid painkillers and fentanyl, continues to devastate families, communities, and lives across this nation,” said Bonta.
“The funds from opioid settlements are designed to allow multi-faceted approaches for local governments to provide comprehensive resources,” he said.
The opioid epidemic in the U.S. has unfolded in three waves: a rise in prescription opioid overdoses in the 1990s, an increase in heroin deaths from 2010, and a surge in fatalities from illicit opioids like fentanyl. In California, over 7,000 deaths in 2022 were attributed to opioid overdoses, with fentanyl involved in approximately 90 percent of those cases.
The settlements provide immediate financial resources for abatement and ensured long-term funding for cities and counties to address the ongoing crisis effectively. Bonta’s guidance states that local governments should implement comprehensive strategies to combat the opioid epidemic and strengthen public health systems
