A Region Worth Protecting
Our Issues Our Values
Preserving Our Coastal Communities
Offshore Wind Energy
4x The Cost Compared To Onshore Wind and Solar
Cost Effective Green Alternatives To Offshore Wind
Protecting Our Oceans, Communities, and Indigenous Cultures
Green Solutions That Work For All Of Us
Land-Based Carbon Neutral Energy Sources Save Consumers 75% when compared to Offshore Wind Energy
Offshore Wind Energy is 4x The Cost to Consumers When Compared to Onshore Wind Energy and Solar Energy
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“Cost of Wind Energy Review: 2024 Edition”. National Renewable Energy Laboratory under the U.S. Department of Energy (Contract No. DE-AC36-08GO28308). Page 12. (Download Here)
Offshore Wind Energy requires the Construction of Multiple Large Scale Industrial Ports along Our Central Coast
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“Port Requirements to Construct a Floating Offshore Wind Farm”. GHD | Engineering, Architecture & Construction Services. Simon James, March 27, 2025. www.ghd.com. (Download Here)
Preserving Our Indigenous Cultures
Offshore Wind Energy
The Genocide of Our Native Indigenous Cultures
Salinan Indians believe in the soul trans-migration of our dead to a sunset island where the spirit Tibe'kenni'c lives, with evening red rays symbolizing ancestral celebration. After 250 years of land and cultural genocide, Central Coast Native Indians deserve the same respect given to other Western cultures.
March, 1932: Salinan Indians touring Salinan cultural sites in SLO County during an Indian place name trip with linguists J.P. Harrington, Smithsonian Institute. Pictures from (L to R): Ragged Point, Piedras Blancas, and Cayucos.
(National Anthropological Archives - Smithsonian Institution - 81-14092, 81-14089, 81-14094)
California’s Inadequate Electrical Infrastructure is Losing Electricity due to Oversupply and Congestion
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“Understanding Power Curtailment in California and Texas”. International Association of Energy Economics (IAEE). Aditi Sarkar, 2025 Vol 34 1st Qtr Report pg 19. www.iaee.org. (Download Here)
Onshore Wind and Solar Saves Consumers 75%
Offshore Wind Energy is 4x the cost of Onshore Wind Energy and Solar. These costs are passed on to the rate payers of our region. We need to invest in cost effective green solutions that work for all of us.
Protecting Our Indigenous Cultures From Genocide
Preserving our coastal communities’ unique cultural identities is essential for local economies through tourism, fishing, and small businesses. Protecting quality of life and surrounding ocean ecosystems is crucial for biodiversity, climate resilience, and the region's natural beauty.
Investing In Our Aging Electrical Infrastructure
California's aging electrical infrastructure causes frequent outages and reliability issues. Urgent investment is needed to modernize California’s electrical grid for renewable energy and ensure stability.
Preserving Our Coastal Communities
The Salinan Indian Culture teaches that after death, our souls journey to an ocean sunset island where the spirit Tibe’kenni’c resides, with red sunsets symbolizing ancestral celebrations. Offshore wind turbines in this region are not only culturally disrespectful, but also perpetuates a 250-year legacy of cultural genocide.
Protection Of Our Communities
Protecting Our Coastal Communities From Another Toxic Moss Landing Battery Plant Fire
“…it’s hard to trust the company [Vistra] that repeatedly assured the community there would be adequate safety measures in place to prevent accidents. [Vistra] also shared a report that concluded even if there were a fire, residents would not be exposed to any health risk.
“Who can believe such statements now?”
The San Luis Obispo Tribune Editorial Board
January 26, 2025
The people of San Luis Obispo County deserve policies that will protect our neighborhoods, communities, and environmentally protected areas from the very real environmental dangers that exist with the presence of Battery Storage.
The safety risks of Battery Plants pose a potential for catastrophic failures and remains a legitimate concern for our environment and the communities near these facilities.
Environmentally Safe Locations
Battery Energy Storage Systems should never be located within 3 miles of environmentally sensitive areas including beaches, oceans, neighborhoods, schools, parks, and other similar facilities.
Keeping Battery Plants Out of Our Neighborhoods, Communities, and Environmentally Sensitive Areas
Common Sense Project Notifications
Project notifications should be sent out to all property owners and residences living within 3 miles of the proposed Battery Storage Plant. This represents the distance of an evacuation zone in case of an emergency.
Suspend Battery Plant Applications
Suspend any further Battery Plant applications until we have a full understanding of what transpired from the California Public Utilities Commission, the U.S. Environmental Agency, and Monterey County.
SLO County Advisory Committee
Convene a citizens advisory committee to independently analyze the Moss Landing Battery Fire findings, facilitate public hearings for community input, and deliver recommendations to SLO County.
The number of people that would have been evacuated along our coastal communities if a proportionally similar battery plant fire would have taken place in Morro Bay.
10,000
The levels of toxic minerals nickel, cobalt and manganese that were found to be above normal at Elkhorn Slough by research scientists after the Moss Landing Battery Plant Fire.
100x to 1,000x
2 Years
The length of time it will take to cleanup after the Moss Landing Battery Fire site according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
Environmental Protection
Representation For All Of Us
Common Sense Campaign Reforms
For a region that values democratic participation and good governance, Common Sense Campaign Reforms offer a practical path toward more responsive local representation.
Term Limits: Three 4-Year Terms
A $500 Contribution Limit would ensure that ordinary residents - not just wealthy donors or special interests - have a meaningful voice over local elections and sound public policy.
Campaign Contribution Limits of $500
Term limits of Three 4-Year Terms would bring fresh and diverse perspectives to tackle evolving challenges facing the Central Coast while allowing officials time to develop the expertise needed for governance.
Ban All PAC and Corporate Donations
Prohibiting PAC and Corporate donations in SLO County campaigns would ensure that local elections reflect the will of actual residents rather than nameless outside interests or corporations.
SLO Sheriff’s Department: The Challenges We Are Facing
Protecting Our Communities
Critical Staffing Shortages
At the core of these problems is a critical staffing shortage, with most correctional staff having less than five years of experience, creating both recruitment and retention crises.
Aging Infrastructure
These operational challenges are further complicated by aging infrastructure and outdated radio dispatch systems that frequently fail during critical moments.
Supporting Our Sheriff’s Department
Communications Investments
Addressing unique geographic challenges requires significant investment in modern communication technologies like FirstNet, satellite stations, upgraded patrol vehicles, and specialized coastal units with unique training and equipment for smuggling interdiction.
Supporting Adequate Staffing
Sustainable solutions require aggressive recruitment and retention strategies including competitive compensation matching neighboring counties, signing bonuses, student loan forgiveness for five-year commitments, flexible scheduling, and clear career advancement with tuition reimbursement.
Dealing With Fentanyl
We can address the fentanyl crisis through multi-faceted approaches including naloxone distribution via Cal Poly web applications, comprehensive treatment services accessible at 1-800-838-1381, evidence-based programs like Matrix, and harm reduction services providing sterile supplies and overdose support.
Supporting Mental Health Services
Mental health services for inmates require expansion through additional psychiatric staff, crisis intervention training for correctional officers, and partnerships with local mental health organizations. Specialized housing units for inmates with mental health conditions should provide therapeutic rather than punitive environments.
Caseload Complexity
The department faces a complex caseload of smuggling, trafficking, domestic violence, and mental health cases while managing an 8-10% jail population increase that has strained facilities.
Communication Challenges
Our mountainous coastal terrain compounds these difficulties by creating communication dead zones that compromise officer safety and emergency response capabilities.
Homelessness: Helping Vulnerable Populations
SLO County faces a significant homelessness crisis that remains well above national averages, with 35% of the unsheltered population experiencing chronic homelessness due to disabling conditions and extended periods without housing.
Homeless Population By Year
Record-breaking affordable housing development in FY 2023-24, adding 199 units that can house up to 471 people
Secured $4.32 million in HHAP-5 funding from the state
Welcome Home Village project launched as a collaboration between city, county, and nonprofit partners to provide supportive housing with wraparound services
The county's homeless population dropped by 19% from 2022 to 2024, declining from 1,448 individuals to 1,171, according to the latest Point-in-Time Count.
Vulnerable Populations
35% of the Unsheltered Homeless are Chronically Unsheltered
The Homeless Rate Per 10,000 is 38.6 which is Double the National Average
72% of the Homeless Population are between the ages of 35 to 54 years of age
Progress We Are Making
Strategies Moving Forward
Shelter Solutions
Innovative projects like Welcome Home Village, a collaboration between the City of San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo County, Good Samaritan Shelter and DignityMoves, show promise for creating supportive housing communities that address both immediate shelter needs and wraparound services.
Helping Vulnerable Populations
The county should prioritize expanding specialized services for vulnerable populations, particularly seniors who face unique challenges in the housing market, while continuing to develop affordable housing units and supportive services that help individuals transition from homelessness to stable, independent living.
Collaboration
Success will require sustained collaboration between state, county, and community partners, as demonstrated by Governor Gavin Newsom's Office visit in August 2024 to learn about local homelessness and housing solutions.
Prevention Strategies
San Luis Obispo County's record-breaking addition of 199 affordable housing units in FY 2023-24, providing homes for up to 471 people, demonstrates how comprehensive strategies combining immediate shelter with long-term housing development effectively address homelessness.
Housing Costs
Long Term Affordable Housing
SLO County is California's third-worst affordable housing market, with average rents at $3,000 monthly and median home prices reaching $910,000, 128% above national averages.
81% of families in San Luis Obispo County cannot afford to purchase a median priced home
Families Struggling
Rental Problems
Only 40% of workers who make minimum wage can afford the average rent in San Luis Obispo County
Removing Barriers For Affordable Housing
83% of extremely low-income households in San Luis Obispo County are paying more than half of their income on housing costs
Extreme Low Income Families
New Construction Ideas
Expand density near transit hubs, downtowns, and major employment centers and use mixed-use/overlay zones to pair housing with services and jobs; streamline permitting and CEQA review and implement inclusionary zoning with a clear 15–25% set-aside and straightforward compliance.
Reinventing Land Use
Acquire and assemble land for affordable housing through a county land bank or joint powers authority, leverage surplus public lands for affordable housing with long-term affordability covenants, and encourage land swaps or modest public–private collaborations to unlock parcels for housing.
Strong Partnerships
Partner with Cal Poly, local employers, and community colleges to align workforce housing with local needs, collaborate with nonprofit and for-profit developers, lenders, and service providers to streamline projects, and coordinate regionally across cities and the county to align with RHNA targets and shared services
Policy Issues
Preserve existing affordable housing with long-term covenants and rehab, accelerate new construction with modular/factory-built options, support nonprofit and mission-driven developers with capacity-building, pre-approved financing, and technical assistance, and target underutilized sites for infill housing.
Water and Agriculture
Supporting Family Farms and Water
SLO County's escalating water crisis threatens agriculture, rural communities, and environmental sustainability. Our groundwater basins face severe stress from long-term overdraft, climate variability, and competing urban and agricultural demands.
By working within the framework of California's Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, we can begin to properly address our water issues facing our region.
81% of families in San Luis Obispo County cannot afford to purchase a median priced home
Los Osos Groundwater Basin
Edna Valley Groundwater Basin
Only 40% of workers who make minimum wage can afford the average rent in San Luis Obispo County
Family Farms and Water Moving Forward
83% of extremely low-income households in San Luis Obispo County are paying more than half of their income on housing costs
Paso Robles Groundwater Basin
Shelter Solutions
Innovative projects like Welcome Home Village, a collaboration between the City of San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo County, Good Samaritan Shelter and DignityMoves, show promise for creating supportive housing communities that address both immediate shelter needs and wraparound services.
Helping Vulnerable Populations
The county should prioritize expanding specialized services for vulnerable populations, particularly seniors who face unique challenges in the housing market, while continuing to develop affordable housing units and supportive services that help individuals transition from homelessness to stable, independent living.
Collaboration
Success will require sustained collaboration between state, county, and community partners, as demonstrated by Governor Gavin Newsom's Office visit in August 2024 to learn about local homelessness and housing solutions.
Prevention Strategies
San Luis Obispo County's record-breaking addition of 199 affordable housing units in FY 2023-24, providing homes for up to 471 people, demonstrates how comprehensive strategies combining immediate shelter with long-term housing development effectively address homelessness.