NEWS ARCHIVE

NEWS Archive

9/30/2010
REDI will host on Open House on Friday, October 22, 2010, from 4:00 to 8:00 pm, coinciding with the Harvest Moon Hometown Celebration in downtown Willits. Stop by the REDI Haus at 121 West Commercial Street. Invitation

We will be commemorating the 20th Anniversary of the Solar Energy Expo & Rally (SEER), 1990-2010. The REDI founders organized the first SEER event in 1990 and in 1992, after three annual SEER events in Willits, made a strategic plan the formed the basis of the new nonprofit. REDI was incorporated in 1993 and has continued to this day, working to educate, promote and facilitate the widespread use of renewable energy.

12/18/2009
REDI’s Board of Directors conducted its annual officers election at the December meeting yesterday. Please view our page About – Staff for results.

8/31/2009
MCOG met today, receiving a staff report on the pending proposal to form a “Mendocino Area Energy Authority.” At the Board’s direction, the proposal had been circulated among the five member entities for a vote to amend the Joint Powers Agreement by adding energy to its specific powers. The proposal failed to get the unanimous approval required to form the energy authority. MCOG meeting minutes – see Agenda #14c4

8/4/2009
Regional energy planning is currently under consideration by the Mendocino Council of Governments. MCOG, the transportation planning agency for the countywide region, has circulated among its five member jurisdictions a proposed amendment to its joint powers agreement that would add energy to its functional areas. All four city councils and the county Board of Supervisors must approve the amendment by resolution for it to take effect. If this enabling legislation is passed, MCOG’s executive director has indicated that a memorandum of understanding would be drafted to define the scope of activity and address all concerns of interested parties. It is unknown at this time how such a planning agency would interface with existing conservation, efficiency and renewable energy efforts, if at all. REDI, as a 501c3 tax-exempt public benefit organization restricted from lobbying, has not taken a position on this issue and remains neutral. We await with interest the outcome of this important vote.

7/30/2009
The Executive Director position is now closed. See About – Staff

7/1/2009
The Home Energy Link Program continues in Willits with renewed funding from the City for Fiscal Year 2009/10.

5/14/2009
REDI has donated a solar energy system to Brookside School, with assistance from Willits Electric and WELL, for use in the food garden project. Director Ralph Pisciotta organized the installation. Letter to school district

4/2/2009
REDI Announces Position Open for Part-Time Executive Director

12/21/2008
Year end letter from REDI President & ED

2008 Annual Report We’re now wrapping up another productive year. The REDI team has been building relationships, working the funding streams, reaching out and meeting needs. These are some of the highlights…

8/21/2008
As part of its ongoing research and commitment to energy efficiency, the Renewable Energy Development Institute installed 13 new windows at the “REDI Haus” in downtown Willits earlier this month. Read story

7/27/2008
REDI completed the second year of HELP, the Home Energy Link Program, and turned in a report June 30, 2008. Total weatherizations to date (complete or in progress) are 140, helping to plug the energy leaks in our community. The City of Willits’ investment of $150,000 has returned over $1.3 million in value over the life of the retrofits. Download Report of FY 2007/08 (2.5 MB pdf)

The City has funded FY 2008/09, so services are continuing. Contact the REDI office to learn more.

4/24/2008
Find our HELP table at the Willits Farmers Market when the season starts up again next week, every Thursday from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the City Park.

4/4/2008
REDI will co-sponsor Willits’ Earth Day Celebration “Sustaining the Planet – Sustaining Ourselves” on Sunday, April 20 from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM at the Willits Community Center – 111 East Commercial Street. At least 20 local projects and organizations will have tables of information, ways you can get involved and fascinating demonstrations. Musicians, dancers, and others will entertain us throughout the day.

Our Keynote Speaker will be adventurer, NPR contributor and goat herder Doug Fine, author of Farewell, My Subaru, who will tell us “How Anyone Can Get Oil Out of His or Her Life.” Other speakers will include:

-Sheriff Tom Allman talking about the role of CERT and the Red Cross, and how you can get involved;

-Jason Bradford of WELL on local food and food security;

-Author Jed Diamond, LSW, speaking on Walking our Local Community; and

-Paula Britton on Global Warming and what we can do about it.

Sponsored by: Willits Economic Localization (WELL) and Renewable Energy Development Institute (REDI). For more information, call 459-7076.

2/15/2008
We’re pleased to announce that the City of Willits has extended our annual contract for the Home Energy Link Program (HELP). REDI continues to offer assistance to income-eligible Willits residents with applications for free home weatherizations! Learn more

11/1/2007
President’s Message
2007 Report