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The following guest opinion was submitted by Dave Canny, vice president for PG&E’s North Coast Region.

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Across Humboldt County, a topic of discussion that often comes up in PG&E’s conversations with our customers and other stakeholders is the importance of growing the local economy while preserving the character of the region.

At PG&E, we believe reliable energy infrastructure is part of that answer. Over the past several years, PG&E has made significant progress to create the conditions for Humboldt County to thrive by expanding energy capacity and supporting new customer connections.

Creating Capacity for What’s Next 

In 2022, PG&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, with three more underway. The results are already making a difference for local communities. Several key projects are helping drive this progress, including the completion of substation upgrades in Fortuna, Rio Dell, and Garberville, with additional work beginning this year in Fort Seward. We have also made significant transmission enhancements to strengthen the backbone serving Southern Humboldt. These upgrades are now in the final stages of design and will help support growing energy demand across the county. 

Connecting New Customers and Community Projects 

Those 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&E has connected 711 customers across Humboldt County who otherwise could not have been served without the investments and updates made to our system. Since November 2022:

• 85 new services have been connected in the Eel River Valley
• 18 new services have been added in the Bridgeville-to-Alderpoint area, including customers from Bridgeville to Hydesville
• 23 new services have been connected in the Garberville area

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&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 an emergency overnight shelter project in Arcata for Arcata House Partnership, a nonprofit that provides housing, shelter and other essential services for people experiencing homelessness and food insecurity in Humboldt County. Energized in early March, the facility was designed to accommodate up to 40 adult men and women as part of the organization’s transitional housing services.

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.

Delivering with a Local Focus

One of the key enablers of this work is our regional service model, which was established in 2021. PG&E’s regional service model combines local knowledge with statewide resources. Our North Coast team members live and work in the same communities we serve. We understand the unique challenges facing Humboldt County because they are our challenges, too. 

Across the region, PG&E is actively engaged in conversations with local governments, tribal partners, business leaders, 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&E is committed to being a strong partner in that work.