Redwood Coast Energy Authority
633 3rd Street, Eureka, CA 95501
Phone: (707) 269-1700 Toll-Free (800) 931-7232 Fax: (707) 269-1777 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.redwoodenergy.org
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES
Wharfinger Building, Bay Room November 20, 2024
1 Marina Way, Eureka, CA 95501 Wednesday, 3:30 p.m.
Chair Sarah Schaefer called a regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Redwood Coast Energy Authority to order on the above date at 3:36 p.m. Notice of this meeting was posted on November 15, 2024.
PRESENT:, Alt. Dir. Renée Contreras-DeLoach, Skip Jorgensen, Alt. Dir. Heidi Moore-Guynup (participated remotely with just cause), Elise Scafani, Chair Sarah Schaefer, Sheri Woo. ABSENT: Natalie Arroyo, Vice Chair Scott Bauer, Kris Mobley, Frankie Myers, Jason Ramos, Jack Tuttle, Frank Wilson.
STAFF AND OTHERS PRESENT: Senior Infrastructure Planning Manager Mike Avcollie, General Counsel Nancy Diamond, Board Clerk Lori Taketa, Interim Executive Director Eileen Verbeck.
ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
Members of the public Craig Knox and Walt Paniak submitted written comments requesting that the Board reconsider declining the Diablo Canyon nuclear credit, and sharing an article on biomass energy’s harmful health effects, respectively.
CONSENT CALENDAR
4.1 Approve Minutes of October 24, 2024, Board Meeting.
4.2 Approve Disbursements Report.
4.3 Accept Financial Reports.
4.4 Accept Quarterly Budget Report for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Q1.
4.5 Take the following Rural Regional Energy Network North Administrative Actions:
1. Award professional services agreement for RuralREN North regulatory and legal services to the Law Offices of Susie Berlin through December 2027 for a not to exceed value of $280,000 and authorize the Interim Executive Director to execute all applicable documents subject to RCEA General Counsel review.
2. Award professional services agreement for RuralREN North marketing services to The Engine is Red through December 2027 for a not to exceed value of $115,500 and Authorize the Interim Executive Director to execute all applicable documents subject to RCEA General Counsel review.
3. Approve Memorandum of Agreement between Redwood Coast Energy Authority, Lake Area Planning Council, Mendocino Council of Governments, and Sierra Business Council for Rural Regional Energy Network North; authorize the Executive Director to execute the Agreement substantially in the form attached hereto as Attachment D on behalf of RCEA; and, in consultation with legal counsel, authorize the Executive Director to approve any future amendments to the Agreement, provided that the amendments do not fundamentally change any material terms of the Agreement or measurably increase risk exposure for RCEA.
RCEA November 20, 2024, Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
No member of the public nor Board member requested consent calendar item discussion.
M/S: Jorgensen, Scafani: Approve Consent Calendar items.
The motion passed with a unanimous roll call vote. Ayes: Contreras-DeLoach, Jorgensen, Moore-Guynup, Scafani, Schaefer, Woo. Noes: None. Absent: Arroyo, Mobley, Myers, Tuttle, Wilson. Abstain: None.
NEW BUSINESS
7.1. RCEA’s Renewable Energy Vehicle Network (REVNet) – Informational presentation Infrastructure Planning Senior Manager Avcollie described RCEA’s RePower Strategic Plan goals to support electric vehicle adoption and develop transportation electrification infrastructure. On- and off-road transportation produces over 80% of Humboldt County’s greenhouse gas emissions. RCEA works to reduce transportation emissions through RCEA-funded electric bike, electric vehicle (EV) and EV charging equipment rebates, and by developing and maintaining Humboldt County’s largest network of Level-2 public EV charging stations. RCEA’s 29-station network operates at a 99.91% reliability rating from Rio Dell to Trinidad and inland to Willow Creek. The California Energy Commission funded a new group of 10 faster charging stations that are being built at “resilience hubs” such as the Orleans Volunteer Fire Department and the Jerold Phelps Community Hospital in Garberville, and in high-use areas like McKinleyville, Eureka and Fortuna. Staff Manager Avcollie described collaboration with cities, Tribal Transportation Departments, the Schatz Energy Research Center and local and regional transportation groups to coordinate alternative fuel infrastructure planning and to site charging stations. Staff have successfully worked with local agencies to add charging stations to their existing paving projects, significantly reducing EV network development costs. There were no public comments on this item.
STAFF REPORTS
10.1 Interim Executive Director’s Report (Information only) Interim Executive Director Verbeck reported on the airport microgrid’s five successful islanding events and grid reconnection during the previous night’s storm. The solar system’s recharging ability will be challenged during this prolonged atmospheric river event. Staff are working as quickly as possible to finalize Department of Energy Tribal Energy Resilience and Sovereignty agreements by year’s end, a process that normally takes at least four months.
Director Moore-Guynup expressed appreciation for Interim Executive Director Verbeck, Contracts and Grants Manager Lexie Perez and other team members’ contract negotiation work. There were no public comments on this item.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
The directors requested a report on the status of offshore wind energy in Humboldt County.
Staff described vigorous, current port facility development work. Staff described recent RCEA attendance at Blue Lake City Council and Planning Commission meetings about the former Blue Lake biomass plant site. RCEA will be a potential offtaker for any future battery storage projects and needs to align further engagement with RCEA’s goals.
Chair Schaefer adjourned the meeting at 4:18 p.m.
Lori Taketa, Board Clerk