The Redwood Coast Energy Authority (RCEA) continues efforts to update its guiding plan with two public workshops. Both workshops will be held at the Humboldt Bay Aquatic Center, 721 Waterfront Drive in Eureka, Room 203.
The Thursday, Oct. 17 workshop, from 5:30-7 p.m., is an opportunity to learn about and discuss RCEA’s Comprehensive Action Plan for Energy (CAPE), which incorporates public input received during the plan’s first update phase in August and September. The CAPE, adopted in 2012, details strategies to address regional energy planning and coordination, energy programs for residences and businesses, low-carbon transportation, and energy generation and utility services.
On Friday, Oct. 18, from 1-4 p.m., the Forestry, Energy and the Environment workshop will focus on the use of biomass for electricity generation in RCEA’s energy mix. Biomass power derived from mill residuals and other wood waste has been a significant source of locally generated electricity in Humboldt County since the 1980s and has been an element of RCEA’s community choice energy program’s renewable energy power mix since 2017. At this workshop, a diverse panel of experts, facilitated by Michael Furniss, will share information, discuss, and answer questions about the role of biomass power in meeting our local electricity needs as well as its role in managing local forest lands and our local economy’s forest products sector.
Comments on the Draft CAPE should be emailed to EnergyPlan2019@redwoodenergy.org. Meeting agendas, CAPE update timeline, and additional details can be found on RCEA’s website, www.RedwoodEnergy.org and by calling (707) 269-1700. Refreshments will be served.