Assembly committee advances bill allowing select counties to permit larger geothermal plants locally

Assemblymember (author) introduced AB 10 16, saying the bill "will increase the generating capacity of geothermal power plants that are eligible to be permitted at the local level only until 2030." The committee advanced the bill to the Natural Resources Committee with a commitment to take amendments there.

The bill would create a five‑year pilot allowing counties that have adopted a geothermal element in their general plan to permit projects up to 150 net megawatts locally rather than requiring projects above 50 MW to go through the California Energy Commission's (CEC) siting process. "Project certification at the local level provides the unique opportunity for an enhanced level of local input and ensures decisions are made closest to the communities they impact," the author said.

Why it matters: supporters said permitting locally will speed development of baseload renewable energy, create jobs in high‑unemployment areas and enable local benefits such as property tax revenue to schools and districts. "This measure can immediately create jobs," Assemblymember (author) said, noting Imperial County's unemployment rate at 17.2 percent and the recent announced closure of a local sugar‑beet factory that would affect roughly 400 jobs.

Supporters from Imperial County described decades of local permitting experience and current planning work, including preparation of a 51,000‑acre specific plan and a programmatic environmental review to streamline clean energy and critical mineral development. "We built the expertise, the planning infrastructure, the public engagement processes to lead this work responsibly," said Ryan Kelly, Imperial County supervisor, adding that Imperial County already produces about 500 MW and that the Salton Sea area alone has far larger potential.

Labor organizations voiced conditional opposition, focusing on labor standards. A representative for the California State Pipe Trades Council said skilled‑and‑trained workforce requirements tied to CEC review could be lost if permitting reverts to local governments, and State Building Trades also signaled opposition while saying it would continue discussions with the author.

Committee action and next steps: the committee voted to pass AB 10 16 to the Natural Resources Committee with a commitment to take committee amendments there. The author and supporters said they will continue to negotiate labor and related amendments before that hearing.

Ending: The bill remains subject to amendments in Natural Resources. Supporters urged that local permitting paired with negotiated labor standards could unlock geothermal deployment and economic benefits for Imperial County and other resource regions.