Governor Signs Prevailing Wage Bill
Sacramento, CA — Governor Jerry Brown has signed a bill that was opposed by the Tuolumne County Supervisors.
SB 136 was introduced by Democratic Senator Leland Yee and makes public renewable energy contracts subject to prevailing wage. The Tuolumne County Supervisors voted last week to send a letter in opposition, because the prevailing wage is set by higher income regions like the Bay Area.
County leaders are concerned that renewable energy projects will become less cost effective with the new law. CAO Craig Pedro indicated last week that there are a couple of projects that it could potentially impact. Tuolumne County has been investigating the idea of leasing a portion of the former Jamestown landfill site to a private group that would generate solar energy. The County is also evaluating energy cost savings in conjunction with the Tuolumne Public Power Agency.
Governor Brown signed SB 136 on Sunday.
