Cal Poly Humboldt
IN-3: Innovation 3

In cooperation with the Redwood Coast Energy Authority, the Schatz Energy Resource Center at HSU has developed a comprehensive development plan that would maximize Humboldt County’s long-term reliance on local renewable energy resources. The purpose of the project is to build a Renewable Energy Secure Community (RESCO) to meet our local energy needs while securing a sustainable energy future while controlling costs to Humboldt county residents. The project strives for less reliance on energy sources from outside the area/country, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, creation of local jobs and economic stimulus and finally less reliance on fossil fuels. The study also aims to increase money re-circulating in the local economy and to establish more predictable, less volatile energy prices. This will entail the development of multiple renewable resources because the combination will provide the most reliable and cost-effective solution to the county’s resource dependency problem.

The RePower Humboldt strategic plan summarizes the key findings and recommendations of the study and charts a course for near- and long-term activities that can help Humboldt County realize its shared community vision for a sustainable energy future. This study finds that Humboldt County has the opportunity to satisfy the majority of its energy needs using local renewable resources. This can be accomplished by aggressively implementing energy efficiency, utilizing abundant biomass, wind, wave and small hydro energy resources, and electrifying the transportation and heating sectors. For example, by the year 2030, with only a 15 percent increase in overall energy costs, the county could meet over 98 percent of its electricity demand, displace 33 percent of its heating load, and supply 13 percent of its transportation energy needs with local renewable energy.