CITY OF FORT BRAGG
Incorporated August 5, 1889
416 N. Franklin Street
Fort Bragg, CA 95437
Phone: (707) 961-2823
Fax: (707) 961-2802
January 24, 2022
Alice Reynolds, President
California Public Utilities Commission
505 Van Ness Ave
San Francisco, CA 94102
Re: Letter of Support for the Rural Regional Energy Network’s (RuralREN) motion to become a portfolio administrator and for the 2024-2031 RuralREN Strategic Business Plan application Dear President Reynolds:
On behalf of the City of Fort Bragg, within Mendocino County, we write to express support for creation of the proposed Rural Regional Energy Network. These efforts are critical to helping us achieve deep energy savings in our region and accelerating an equitable transition to a green and resilient economy. Rural customers traditionally have had a higher energy cost-to-income ratio while having less access statewide to energy efficiency programs. Furthermore, California’s rural regions can serve as proving grounds for innovative energy solutions. The RuralREN will help our region achieve significant energy efficiency benefits for those who need it most, while also creating new career opportunities in clean energy for our community.
The RuralREN is composed of six member agencies that are cooperating regionally to create programs that will be locally customized to fit the needs of each community it serves. The Redwood Coast Energy Authority (RCEA) will partner with the Mendocino Council of Governments (MCOG) to serve eligible customers within Mendocino County. RCEA has successfully implemented energy services to rural public, commercial, and residential customers throughout Humboldt County since 2003, and working with MCOG will be the perfect opportunity to reach customers in our region in the near future while building capacity for MCOG to become a full partner in the RuralREN.
The creation of the RuralREN is an important pathway for rural regions of California to support the ambitious state and national goals for transitioning to a green economy and equitably participate in its benefits. We recognize MCOG as a trusted provider of services and through their partnership with RCEA they will provide essential services and capacity building to our region. Therefore, we give our strong support for the RuralREN’s motion to become a portfolio administrator as well as for the 2024-2031 RuralREN Strategic Business Plan application. Thank you in advance for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Bernie Norvell Jessica Morsell-Haye
Mayor Vice Mayor
Teresa K. Albin-Smith Lindy Peters Marcia Rafanan Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember
cc: Commissioner Clifford Rechtschaffen
Commissioner Genevieve Shiroma
Commissioner Darcie Houck
Commissioner John Reynolds
Redwood Coast Energy Authority
Mendocino Council of Governments
Alice Reynolds, President
January 24, 2022