CITY OF POINT ARENA
451 School Street
P.O. Box 67
Point Arena CA 95468
(707) 882-2122
pointarena.ca.gov
Mayor Barbara Burkey
Vice-Mayor Dan Doyle
Councilmember Anna Dobbins
Councilmember Jim Koogle
Councilmember Jeff Hansen
City Manager Molly Haviland
February 17, 2026
President Reynolds
California Public Utilities Commission
505 Van Ness Ave
San Francisco, CA 94102
Re: Support for Northern Rural Energy Network’s 2028-35 Strategic Business Plan Application
Dear President Reynolds:
On behalf of the City of Point Arena, I am writing to you to express my support for Northern Rural Energy Network’s (NREN) application to continue and expand its energy efficiency efforts in rural Northern California.
Regional Energy Networks were established by the California Public Utility Commission to fill gaps in energy efficiency programs provided by California’s Investor-Owned Utilities(IOUs). Customers in rural Northern California have traditionally been unable to access statewide and IOU programs, contributing more to utility bill-funded efficiency programs than they receive in services while experiencing higher than average energy burdens. Significant geographic distances, older housing stock, lower local jurisdictional capacity, and unreliable transmission lines have compounded to make it harder to serve these rural areas, which is why NREN’s model of locally designed and implemented programs is so essential.
NREN was established in 2024 by the Redwood Coast Energy Authority, Lake Area Planning Council, Mendocino Council of Governments, and Sierra Business Council as a direct response to these needs. NREN began delivering energy efficiency services across 17 rural Northern California counties in 2025, including residential energy kits, home assessments and rebates, as well as public agency support, and is designing for launch
in 2026 small business incentives, workforce education and training, and financing opportunities. Furthermore, NREN is deeply committed to serving the 44 of California’s 109 recognized Tribes that are within NREN service territory.
With this 2028-2035 Business Plan application, NREN will continue offering programs begun in this current cycle, working with community stakeholders to ensure California’s energy efficiency programs serve all Californians, including the most rural and hard-toreach customers. NREN will also expand its service territory; working toward a goal of covering all eligible customers in Northern California. I look forward to supporting NREN in those efforts and encourage you to approve the 2028-2035 Strategic Business Plan Application.
Sincerely,
Barbara Burkey
Mayor, City of Point Arena