<body><div>Welcome to our opinion section. The views expressed in this op-ed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Redheaded Blackbelt. We have not independently verified the claims made in this piece. To submit an op-ed for consideration, email [email protected].<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2h8KFV_1FLr6W2W00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2h8KFV_1FLr6W2W00" width="900" height="473" ><figcaption>Stock image from Can Stock Photo</figcaption></figure>Supporting Humboldt County’s Energy NeedsBy Dave Canny, Head of PG&amp;E’s North Coast RegionAcross Humboldt County, local leaders, businesses and community organizations are working to grow the local economy and support new opportunities, while still protecting the character that makes the region unique.Reliable energy infrastructure is an important part of that conversation. Over the past several years, PG&amp;E has worked to expand electric capacity, improve electric reliability, streamline timelines for new business customers and support the connections local communities need to move projects forward.Recently, we had the opportunity to meet with local planning and economic development leaders to talk about what they are seeing in their communities and what may be coming next. They shared local priorities and feedback from businesses, including interest in housing, business growth, smaller-scale data centers and other projects that could bring new electric demand to the region.The discussion was also a chance to share the progress PG&amp;E has made to improve timelines for new business customers and strengthen the process for connecting new projects to the grid. Those kinds of two-way conversations help ensure our infrastructure planning is connected to local priorities and the future communities are working toward.Building Capacity for Future GrowthIn 2022, PG&amp;E identified the need for major electric capacity upgrades in Southern Humboldt to support new customer growth and economic development. Traditional infrastructure solutions carried an estimated cost to customers of approximately $300 million.Rather than relying solely on conventional upgrades like new power lines or installation of new substation equipment, our teams explored alternatives that combined new technologies with innovative uses of existing infrastructure. The result was a strategic capacity plan to build 10 targeted projects designed to increase system capacity more efficiently and at a lower overall cost.To date, seven of those projects have been completed, two are under construction and one remains in development. Completed work includes substation upgrades in Fortuna, Rio Dell and Garberville, along with transmission enhancements that strengthen the backbone of the system serving Southern Humboldt.Two additional projects are now moving forward. In Rio Dell, PG&amp;E is building a distribution feeder. The feeder is part of a distribution circuit that crosses the Eel River and supports increased electric demand from new business customers in and around the business park area. Further south, improvements at the Fort Seward Substation will add specialized equipment to increase voltage on the transmission system serving much of Southern Humboldt, helping create additional capacity for future business connections.Connecting New Customers and Community ProjectsThose projects are all about ensuring our system can support new customers connecting to our grid or expanding their operations. Over the past three years, PG&amp;E has connected 711 customers across Humboldt County who otherwise could not have been served without the investments and updates made to our system.<ul><li>85 new services have been connected in the Eel River Valley</li><li>18 new services have been added in the Bridgeville-to-Alderpoint area, including customers from Bridgeville to Hydesville</li><li>23 new services have been connected in the Garberville area</li></ul>That matters because economic growth depends on infrastructure readiness. Businesses considering expansion or investment need confidence that energy capacity will be available when they are ready to move forward. PG&amp;E evaluates new business applications on a continuous basis and works closely with electric distribution planning teams to identify opportunities to connect customers safely, reliably and as efficiently as possible.One recent example is the Elder’s Pace Village on the Hoopa Valley Tribe Reservation in Hoopa. The village consists of 25 residential units surrounding a community center that provides space for community events, health consultations and a community kitchen. PG&amp;E worked closely with tribal leaders to overcome design and permitting challenges, energizing the development ahead of grant funding deadlines.Importantly, this work is also helping reduce overall costs. By connecting more customers at a lower unit cost, we can make smarter use of existing infrastructure and help keep costs more manageable for all customers.Supporting Humboldt with a Local ApproachOur regional service model, established in 2021, is one of the reasons this work is possible. It brings together PG&amp;E coworkers who live and work in Humboldt County, know the area and understand local needs, with the resources and expertise of a statewide company. That connection helps ensure our planning reflects the communities we serve.In addition to our recent conversations with local planning and economic development leaders, the North Coast Region team also engages regularly with local governments, tribal partners, community organizations and regional agencies about economic vitality and future development. Safe, reliable and affordable energy is part of Humboldt County’s future, and PG&amp;E is committed to being a strong partner in that work.</div></body>

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Welcome to our opinion section. The views expressed in this op-ed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Redheaded Blackbelt. We have not independently verified the claims made in this piece. To submit an op-ed for consideration, email [email protected]. Supporting Humboldt County’s Energy...

Op-Ed: Supporting Humboldt County’s Energy Needs

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Welcome to our opinion section. The views expressed in this op-ed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Redheaded Blackbelt. 

Op-Ed: Supporting Humboldt County’s Energy Needs

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