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Lake County supervisors allow staff to continue exploring EGX Energy geothermal proposal amid water, seismicity and process concerns
Summary
County staff will continue preliminary work with EGX Energy on a potential 50–100 MW enhanced geothermal project near the Southeast Water Treatment Facility, but the board gave no approval for the project and residents urged a pause until water, seismic and the Robin Lane sewage response are resolved.
Ben Rickleman, deputy county administrative officer, asked the Lake County Board of Supervisors for authorization to allow county special districts and staff time to work with EGX Energy on a possible geothermal power proposal that could use a small portion of land near the Southeast Water Treatment Facility.
Rickelman told the board the item was strictly an authorization for staff time and ‘‘all we’re asking at the moment is staff time,’’ and that any formal agreement would return to the board. He said county property is attractive for siting because prior disturbance may reduce CEQA burdens, the site has road access and preliminary subsurface information shows relatively solid rock that could suit enhanced geothermal systems (EGS).
The proposal’s principal, Damien Gerard of EGX Energy, told supervisors the company is considering using roughly 30 acres of about 400 acres around the wastewater plant for above-ground equipment and well paths while the production target is ‘‘above 50 megawatt, probably around a 100 megawatt.’’ Gerard said the option to use…
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