Board approves adding Yolo County as participating area in Northern Rural Energy Network 2028 plan
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Summary
RCEA directors agreed to include Yolo County as a participating county in the Northern Rural Energy Network (NREN) 2028 business cycle; staff will add funding requests for Yolo in the next plan and onboard the county during the 2028–2031 cycle.
The Redwood Coast Energy Authority board approved including Yolo County as a participating jurisdiction in the Northern Rural Energy Network’s 2028 business cycle.
Staff explained that the NREN governing partners have discussed the request for several months and that the plan would add Yolo as a participating entity rather than a new governing partner. Funding to support Yolo County activities would be requested as part of the next NREN business cycle and would not require immediate changes to current fiscal years.
The staff presentation included program metrics to date: about 560 energy efficiency kits distributed across the region, 59 home energy assessments, more than 70 educational events and roughly $57,000 in rebates delivered so far — with a significant share in Humboldt County.
Board members asked whether the California Public Utilities Commission would view the proposed expansion favorably; staff said CPUC prefers consolidated RENs and that an on‑ramp approach gives time to learn how the counties will coordinate before any dedicated funding is committed. The board voted to approve inclusion by voice vote.