FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 11, 2025

CONTACT
Media: Jill Sanford, Communications Director, jsanford@sierrabusiness.org, 530.562.4991

New Energy Efficiency Program Brings Savings, Rebates, and Resources to Rural California Communities

Grass Valley, CA – Sierra Business Council, in partnership with Redwood Coast Energy Authority, Mendocino Council of Governments, and Lake Area Planning Council, is launching the Northern Rural Energy Network (NREN) program to expand energy efficiency services to rural California. SBC is launching NREN’s residential programs this month to assist PG&E customers throughout the Sierra Nevada region in making their homes more comfortable, lowering their energy bills, and switching to energy-efficient appliances. 

NREN is part of a statewide initiative of regional energy networks focused on helping communities grow and thrive through the adoption of energy efficiency and electrification initiatives.

“This is an incredibly important way to improve utility rate affordability in the Sierra, “ says Steve Frisch, president of Sierra Business Council. “For every $1 invested in energy efficiency, customers save $8 on their utility bill. For 25 years, Sierra residents have been paying for statewide energy efficiency programs while not having full access to the services necessary to lower ratepayers’ bills. As SBC implements the programs of the Northern Rural Energy Network, we will be focusing on lowering customers’ bills, serving hard-to-reach communities and ratepayers with modest incomes, and creating jobs in the region that pay living wages.”

NREN will initially focus on residential programming that will help community members reduce energy costs and carbon emissions in their homes. Services include residential rebates for energy efficiency improvements and electrification, free home energy assessments conducted over the phone and/or in person, and free energy efficiency kits. The energy efficiency kits, which will be mailed to customers who sign up, may include light bulbs, water-saving aerators, power strips, energy monitors, and additional easy-to-use items that can help customers reduce their energy use.

Sierra Business Council will administer NREN’s energy efficiency programs to PG&E residential customers in the following 14 Sierra Nevada counties: Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, El Dorado, Lassen, Mariposa, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sierra, Sutter, Tuolumne, and Yuba counties.

The formation of NREN is a direct response to underrepresented rural California energy customers’ unique issues and urgent needs. 

“NREN is specifically designed to target rural and underserved communities that have been historically left out of energy efficiency programming delivered throughout the state of California,” says Sherry Hao, director of energy services at Sierra Business Council. “By tailoring our programs to rural needs and customers, we provide the tools, knowledge, and support our communities need to make informed and cost-effective energy decisions.” 

NREN will launch additional programs throughout the year that will help rural communities implement energy savings, train the local workforce, and grow our regional economy. Upcoming programs include rebates for small businesses, financing opportunities, a workforce education and training component to upskill existing contractors, as well as provide codes and standards resources to public agencies and contractors. Developed by rural agencies and organizations for rural communities, NREN delivers innovative approaches for reducing energy use and expanding the adoption of energy-saving resources across northern California’s vast rural regions.

About the Northern Rural Energy Network:

Northern Rural Energy Network (NREN) offers energy efficiency programs to rural communities, delivering cost savings and strengthening community resilience for the North Coast, Lake County, and the Sierra Nevada. More information on NREN’s services can be found at NorthernREN.org.

About Sierra Business Council:

Sierra Business Council (SBC) catalyzes innovative approaches to increase community vitality, economic prosperity, environmental quality, and social fairness in the Sierra Nevada. More information on SBC’s impact can be found at sierrabusiness.org.