Press release from the Redwood Coast Energy Authority:

Redwood Coast Energy Authority (RCEA) launched a redesigned program to spur the development of small-scale local renewable energy projects. The program offers above-market pricing and a streamlined contracting process to developers and landowners wanting to build renewable power plants in Humboldt County.

Although the redesigned Feed-In Tariff (FIT) Program is open to all renewable technology types, RCEA staff expect that the program will primarily encourage the development of solar plus battery storage resources on the North Coast.

New features of the program include eligibility for projects up to 5 megawatts of electric generation capacity, pricing that adjusts quarterly in response to the number of qualifying applications received, and compensation for energy storage installation and electric grid reliability benefits. Bonus incentives are still available for projects built by local businesses, and on previously developed sites or brownfields. Development on prime agricultural land is still prohibited under the program.

“The goal of our FIT Program is to attract more business to Humboldt and contribute to RCEA’s local power procurement goals,” Eileen Verbeck, RCEA’s Interim Executive Director, said. “RCEA is committed to supporting the development of additional renewable energy at the local level.”

A project already in development under RCEA’s FIT Program is North Coast Highway Solar. The 2-megawatt solar project is being built on private land near Hydesville. The County of Humboldt recently approved the site’s use permit, and RCEA looks forward to the project being operational in 2025.

Those interested in learning more about the FIT Program, including available capacity, current pricing, and application information can visit RCEA’s FIT webpage: https://redwoodenergy.org/fit/

About RCEA
Established in 2003, the Redwood Coast Energy Authority is a local government joint powers agency whose members include the Blue Lake Rancheria, Yurok Tribe, the County of Humboldt, the seven cities within the county, and the Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District. RCEA’s purpose is to develop and implement sustainable energy initiatives that reduce energy demand, increase energy efficiency, and advance the use of clean, efficient, and renewable resources available in the region. For more info, visit redwoodenergy.org.