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Board backs local permitting, fee relief for geothermal projects; RCRC highlights broadband, forest health work
Summary
Supervisors voted to support two state bills aimed at speeding geothermal permitting and easing fees on geothermal waste, while hearing a Rural County Representatives of California briefing on broadband awards, workforce homebuying assistance and forest-health plans.
The Imperial County Board of Supervisors approved letters of support for AB 1016 and AB 1031, two bills that county officials say would speed geothermal development and reduce regulatory costs for geothermal byproducts.
AB 1016 would expand local permitting authority for geothermal power plants under certain conditions, and AB 1031 would clarify exemptions and fee treatment for geothermal waste, including filter cake. Deputy CEO Barry Bean summarized the county’s rationale at the meeting: “This would still maintain environmental protections and follow the full CEQA review, including robust environmental analysis, public engagement, as well as tribal engagement,” Bean said. The board voted on each measure (motion by Supervisor Ryan Elliott Kelly, second by Chairman John Hawk) and the motions carried.
Why it matters: County officials said faster permitting and lower fees are intended to make Imperial County — already producing more than 500 megawatts of geothermal power — more competitive for additional development and for lithium extraction from geothermal brines. Bean told supervisors the county has the potential to produce “over 4,000 megawatts” and that current permitting and fee structures create delays and cost barriers.
During a related presentation by the Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC), Patrick Blaylock and colleagues outlined several programs that affect Imperial County, including last-mile broadband funding, homebuying assistance for county employees and a new nonprofit to advance forest health projects. Barbara Hayes of Golden State Connect Authority said the authority won an award under the California Public Utilities Commission’s last-mile program for an open-access fiber deployment that includes Imperial County. “Open access means Golden State Connect Authority will finance, construct, own, operate and maintain the network, and we will invite providers onto that network to compete for customers,” Hayes said.
RCRC representatives also described workforce housing tools for county employees — a down-payment-assistance program that has been used by eight Imperial County employees — and a new Golden State Natural Resources nonprofit aimed at finding markets for low-value forest biomass so more forest-treatment projects are economically viable.
Board action and next steps: The board approved letters of support for AB 1016 and AB 1031 at the meeting. Staff said those letters will be transmitted to the Assembly author and other Sacramento contacts. RCRC representatives encouraged the county to use their advocacy and technical services, including state-mandate reimbursement support and assistance with potential Williamson Act re-enrollment questions.
Context and limits: Supervisors emphasized that environmental review and CEQA processes would remain in place under the bills as described by county staff. Bean and RCRC staff framed the bills as tools to reduce duplicative permitting steps and high per-ton fees that, they said, currently discourage investment in geothermal and related mineral recovery.
Ending: Staff from the county’s natural resources office and RCRC said they will continue to brief the board as the legislation moves through the Capitol and as broadband and forest-health grant work advances.
