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Assembly committee advances bill to expand local permitting for larger geothermal plants
Summary
Assemblymember Jeff Gonzales said AB 10 16 would raise the generating-size threshold for geothermal power plants that counties may permit locally, and the Assembly Natural Resources Committee on a bipartisan vote moved the bill as amended to the Appropriations Committee.
Assemblymember Jeff Gonzales, author of AB 10 16, told the Assembly Natural Resources Committee the bill would raise the maximum generating capacity for geothermal power plants that may be permitted at the local level “only until 2030.” Gonzales said he was “accepting all committee amendments” and thanked staff and partners for their work on the measure.
The bill’s supporters told the committee that the change would allow counties with established geothermal development experience to permit slightly larger projects locally and could spur jobs and local tax revenues in economically distressed areas. “Imperial County retains the highest unemployment rate in the state,” Gonzales said. He added that the measure would “stimulate significant economic activity in my district.”
Why it matters: the committee’s action lets AB 10 16 advance to the Appropriations Committee with the bill’s author and supporters saying local permitting for slightly larger geothermal plants would speed clean-energy development and provide local economic benefits. Supporters repeatedly framed the measure as a temporary, pilot-style expansion of local authority that expires in 2030.
Presenting for local government, Ryan Kelly, Imperial County supervisor for District 4, said the county has “over 40 years of experience in permitting geothermal plants up to 49.9” megawatts and urged the committee to allow expansion “to a 50 megawatts.” Kelly said Imperial County’s experience aligns with California policy on renewable baseload power and critical mineral development.
Barry Bean, deputy CEO of natural resources for the County of Imperial, told the committee he previously worked in the geothermal industry and said the county’s economy could benefit materially from expanded geothermal projects. “If we look at the property tax allocation of just those 3 projects, you’re looking at over $460,000,000 that would have come to the Calipatria Unified School District, over $51,000,000 to our healthcare district and over $94,000,000 to our community college,” Bean said.
Labor and industry groups signaled support. Mike Monaghan, speaking for the State Building Trades, said the trades “have removed their opposition. We’re now in very strong support.” Delilah Clay, for the Independent Energy Producers Association, also expressed strong support.
Committee members asked about coordinated drafting with labor and attendees indicated ongoing work on the amendments. After brief discussion, a member moved the bill and another seconded; the committee voted to pass AB 10 16 as amended to Appropriations. The clerk’s roll calls recorded a majority of ayes and the assembly clerk later reported 14 yes votes as the measure moved forward out of committee.
The committee record shows the measure is advancing but does not effectuate final local permitting changes until further legislative action. The bill as advanced includes committee amendments; the measure will next be considered by the Appropriations Committee.
