Supervisors to meet with geothermal and renewable-energy representatives; county researching Snow Clean Power and loop systems

Supervisors said they will meet with people interested in geothermal development and are researching related renewable-energy proposals, including a county agenda item on a project described as "Snow Clean Power." Supervisor Smati said she planned to meet with people who have an interest in geothermal development "not there to say yes, just there to listen." She said she will pass on information she learns.

Another supervisor reported reaching out to the Northern California Power Agency (NCPA) and Calpine and conducting research on the Snow Clean Power agenda item, as well as on open-loop and closed-loop geothermal systems. "I've reached out to a number of, primarily NCPA and Calpine pertaining to today's earlier, agenda item with the, Snow Clean Power and been doing some research in that area, as well as the open loop and closed loop system," the supervisor said.

The comments came during supervisors’ calendar reports and described early-stage outreach and research rather than approvals or formal policy changes. Supervisor Smati said her role in the initial meeting will be listening and reporting back, and another supervisor described planned follow-ups with county staff and local community-service districts.

No formal county approvals, funding commitments or permits were announced in the calendar item. Supervisors identified future meetings with local community-service districts and other partners where technical and permitting details will likely be discussed.