Expedite permitting of large-scale solar facilities in California | Opinion

All stakeholders represented

“California’s dry farmland is ideal for solar. Big Ag stands in the way | Opinion,” (modbee.com, Feb. 15)

The permitting of environmentally appropriate large-scale solar facilities should be expedited in California, with community-benefits frameworks collaboratively determined by impacted stakeholder groups in advance of permit applications to avoid delays.

The last shelved version of Assembly Bill 1156 egregiously crossed-out key impacted stakeholders from entering into benefits agreements in favor of exclusive and insufficient governmental provinces. All counties where large-scale solar is proposed have unique communities and deserve a place at the table.

An innovative Regional Community-Benefits Joint Powers Authority could work directly with developers, representing impacted governments, farmers and labor unions.

Jose Antonio Ramirez

Fresno

Budget-friendly water solution

“Central Valley farmers push Trump on Shasta Dam raise,” (modbee.com, Feb. 9)

The livelihood of Central Valley farmers and the well-being of Californians depend on securing our water supply. For real progress though, we should look beyond multi-billion-dollar concrete infrastructure projects — which take years to complete — and improve the basic source of our water: forest watersheds. Their current condition severely compromises the amount and reliability of their water delivery to reservoirs.

Healthy forests capture and store water, reduce flood risks in high precipitation events like what hit Oroville Dam in 2017, filter contaminants and reduce catastrophic wildfires that damage watersheds for decades. Yet we’ve neglected our forests and prevented them from maturing into old-growth systems, sustaining watersheds and delivering countless public benefits.

Compared to raising dams, smart forest restoration delivers water storage naturally at a fraction of the cost. This can provide all Californians, including Central Valley farmers, with storage and supply needed, without flooding protected lands or breaking the budget.

Laurie Wayburn

President, Pacific Forest Trust

Investing in immigrant health care

“Newsom walks thin line on immigrant health as he eyes presidential bid,” (modbee.com, Feb. 9)

Immigrant communities across the United States continue to face preventable barriers to timely and preventive health care. Preventive services such as screenings, vaccinations and routine checkups improve long-term health outcomes and reduce overall system costs, yet many immigrants encounter language barriers or have fears related to immigration status, lack of insurance coverage, transportation challenges and limited culturally responsive care.

National data show that noncitizen immigrants are significantly more likely to be uninsured and to delay or forgo needed care, contributing to worse long-term health outcomes despite lower overall health care spending. Federally funded community health centers demonstrate what equitable investment can achieve. In 2024, these centers served more than 32 million patients, improved chronic disease control, expanded cancer screening and reduced reliance on costly emergency care.

Investing upstream in immigrant health strengthens communities and supports a healthier nation for all.

Ángel Tecuahutzin-Muñiz

Ripon