County Conversation: 4th District Supervisor, Natalie Arroyo October 2024
This series allows listeners to hear directly from their elected representatives, promoting transparency and strengthening the connection between local government and the community. In the latest segment, KMUD features 4th District Supervisor Natalie Arroyo, who represents the cities and unincorporated towns of Eureka, Fairhaven, and Samoa.
Tonight’s County Conversations features Humboldt County’s 4th District Supervisor, Natalie Arroyo, representing Eureka, Fairhaven, and Samoa. Key topics include:
- Nuclear Energy Update
- Climate Action Plan & Transit
- Election Perspectives
- Election Security
Redwood Coast Energy Authority’s (RCEA) decision to accept nuclear power from the Diablo Canyon plant. Despite the RCEA board’s initial rejection of nuclear power, Supervisor Arroyo explained that the authority ultimately voted to accept the power, which customers are already paying for through the California Public Utilities Commission. However, the board plans to craft a policy statement reiterating its opposition to additional nuclear plant development until safer alternatives are available. The savings from the Diablo Canyon power will either be passed on to customers or invested in more renewable resources, shenoted.
Turning to the county’s climate action efforts, Arroyo shared that the draft Humboldt County Climate Action Plan has been approved by supervisors and is now in the environmental review process. The plan highlights that over 75% of emissions are transportation-related, underscoring the importance of improving local transit systems. In that vein, the 4th District Supervisor celebrated the Humboldt Transit Authority’s recent $19 million grant, which will fund increased bus frequency, the addition of hydrogen buses, and enhanced bus stop amenities. The authority has also expanded its North State Express 101 route, allowing commuters to travel from Humboldt to the Bay Area with convenient connections.
On the political front, Arroyo expressed support for incumbent Eureka City Council members Scott Bauer and Katie Moulton, while strongly opposing Measure F and voicing support for Measure O, which she believes is necessary due to reduced state funding. Regarding potential concerns around the upcoming elections and transfer of power, Arroyo noted that while local elections are highly transparent, there are uncertainties about the national process that merit further contingency planning.
