The County of Lake Board of Supervisors convened on September 30, 2025, to discuss critical energy issues, particularly focusing on the importance of geothermal energy in Northern California. The meeting highlighted the role of geothermal resources in enhancing grid reliability and reducing carbon emissions.

The discussion commenced with an emphasis on the significance of geothermal energy, particularly from the Geysers, which is already operational in Lake Sonoma Counties. It was noted that geothermal energy offsets the emissions equivalent to over 400,000 cars, making it a vital asset for the region. The board acknowledged that as California continues its efforts to decarbonize, the reliance on natural gas plants remains a challenge. Despite the increase in renewable energy generation, the limited retirement of natural gas capacity has resulted in higher costs for ratepayers, who must pay for standby power while also sourcing energy from new renewable resources.

The board expressed a pressing need for increased geothermal development to ensure a reliable energy supply throughout the year, especially during winter months. Concerns were raised about the current lack of geothermal projects in the pipeline, prompting discussions on local initiatives to promote affordable geothermal projects that would benefit both ratepayers and local communities through tax revenues and other advantages.

The meeting also addressed California's broader geothermal capacity, which currently stands at approximately 2,000 megawatts, making it the largest producer of geothermal energy in the United States. Recent state assessments indicate a need for an additional 2 gigawatts of geothermal capacity in the near term, with projections suggesting a potential requirement of up to 9 gigawatts due to various regulatory challenges affecting other renewable sources.

In conclusion, the board underscored the critical role geothermal energy will play in California's energy future, advocating for local development initiatives to harness this resource effectively. The discussions set the stage for future actions aimed at expanding geothermal capacity to meet the growing energy demands of the region.