LAKE AND MENDOCINO COUNTIES
Three North Coast students start new school year with annual PG&E Better Together STEM Scholarships
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) today announced that 40 students from hometowns in its service area will receive scholarships totaling $250,000 from the 2022 Better Together STEM Scholarship Program. Among the awardees are three students from Lake and Mendocino counties.
The PG&E Corporation Foundation (The Foundation) funds the scholarships. This year, The Foundation is sponsoring 20 scholarships of $10,000 each and 20 scholarships of $2,500 each. The scholarships are given to students pursuing a degree in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) disciplines. STEM education fosters ingenuity, creativity, and experimentation, leading to new ideas, innovations, and technological advancements that can have global impact.
This year's scholars include:
- Brody Breeden, from Kelseyville, attending California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo and pursuing a degree in Computer Science.
- Ronan Williams, from Boonville, attending University of California, Irvine and pursuing a career in Biology.
- Brayden Martinez, from Ukiah, attending Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and pursuing a degree in Engineering.
"I cannot truly express how much the support means, as it will help tremendously with my ability to focus on my schoolwork as I am entering one of the most trying and labor-intensive years of the program. Thank you very much for investing in my future education and career," said Brayden Martinez, Ukiah native and $2,500 scholarship recipient.
Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, demonstrated participation and leadership in school and community activities, and financial need.
"These local scholarship recipients inspire us and represent the next generation of leaders and innovators for our hometowns. We're glad to do our part to help reduce the costs of the next step in their STEM-based careers," said Ron Richardson, PG&E North Coast Region Vice President.
Scholarship recipients must plan to enroll in full-time undergraduate study for the entire 2022-2023 academic year and be seeking their first undergraduate degree at an accredited four-year institution in California, or at a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) anywhere in the United States. HBCU eligibility was added in response to a trend in applications from high-achieving students admitted to HBCUs, none of which are in California.
Supporting local scholars
Since 2012, the Better Together STEM Scholarship Program has awarded more than $6.7 million to accomplished students. Charitable donations come from PG&E shareholders, not PG&E customers.
In addition to the Better Together STEM Scholarship Program, PG&E's 11 employee resource groups (ERGs) and three engineering networking groups (ENGs) award scholarships to help offset the cost of higher education. The funds are raised entirely through employee donations, employee fundraising events and PG&E's employee giving program, the Campaign for the Community. Since 1989, more than $5 million ERG scholarships have been received by thousands of recipients.
—Submitted
WASHINGTON
Biden-Harris Administration makes $500 million available to increase American-made fertilizer production
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the Biden-Harris Administration is making $500 million in grants available to increase American-made fertilizer production to spur competition and combat price hikes on U.S. farmers caused by the war in Ukraine.
"Under the leadership of President Biden and Vice President Harris, USDA is creating a resilient, secure and sustainable economy, and this support to provide domestic, independent choices for fertilizer supplies is part of that effort," Vilsack said. "USDA believes in the growth of innovative, local businesses owned and shared by people who can best serve their own unique community's needs, fill gaps, and build opportunities. Recent supply chain disruptions have shown just how critical it is to invest in the agricultural supply chain here at home."
Grants will be used to support independent, innovative and sustainable American fertilizer production to supply American farmers. Funds also will expand the manufacturing and processing of fertilizer and nutrient alternatives in the U.S. and its territories.
Eligible entities are for‐profit businesses and corporations, nonprofit entities, Tribes and Tribal organizations, producer‐owned cooperatives and corporations, certified benefit corporations, and state or local governments. Private entities must be independently owned and operated to apply.
The maximum award is $100 million. The minimum award is $1 million. The grant term is five years.
The Department will begin accepting applications in the coming days via www.grants.gov. Notably, there will be two opportunities for submission.
The Department plans for a 45-day application window for applicants to receive priority for projects that increase the availability of fertilizer (nitrogen, phosphate or potash) and nutrient alternatives for agricultural producers to use in crop years 2023 or 2024.
The Department is hosting two informational webinars:
Potential applicants and other interested parties are encouraged to attend a webinar on Oct. 4, 2022, to learn more about the program. Pre-registration is required. To register, visit: www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_dTRONOeRRVu2aTEvGjwx6A.
Potential applicants and other stakeholders are also encouraged to attend a webinar on Oct. 6, 2022, to learn about application requirements. Pre-registration is required. To register, visit: www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_dUsGJWFZQtGuh_BWcC7EZQ.
Potential applicants and stakeholders may email questions to fpep@usda.gov.
For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov/fpep or www.farmers.gov/global-food-insecurity.
—Submitted
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