Governor Newsom and the State Legislature approved a one-time General Fund appropriation in the 2020 Budget Act to support state and local government efforts to protect public safety, vulnerable populations and individuals and improve resiliency in response to utility-led Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) actions. The funding will focus on jurisdictions where there is heightened PSPS vulnerability. Contra Costa County has been awarded $324,090 of which at least fifty percent must be used to support one or more of the resiliency areas: schools, election offices, food storage reserves and/or COVID-19 testing sites.  
The funding can be used to secure equipment, such as generators and/or generator connections, fuel storage or other backup energy sources for essential facilities, such as fire stations, community centers, health facilities and other facilities that are critical to communities’ function during energy interruptions, backup emergency communications equipment, and developing and conducting plans that better prepare communities for PSPS events, including risk assessment for critical infrastructure and equipping resource centers for the public to access. The grants will be administered by the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. Reports on expenditure of funds will be required. Approval will enable the Office of the Sheriff to participate in the grant program.