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Lake County board hears preliminary pitch for 50–100 MW geothermal project; residents warn of water, seismic and infrastructure risks
Summary
County staff and EGX Energy presented a preliminary plan to site an Enhanced Geothermal System on a portion of the Southeast Water Treatment Facility property; board members and nearby residents pressed developers on water use, seismic risk and outreach to tribes and local districts, and staff asked for direction on limited additional work to scope a proposal.
County staff and a private developer outlined early plans on Feb. 3 to evaluate siting an Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS) power plant on or near county‑owned land at the Southeast Water Treatment Facility.
Deputy County Administrative Officer Ben Rickleman said the idea originated from private landowner inquiries and that staff has been asked to explore whether some equipment and the power plant could be co‑located on county property. He emphasized the discussions are preliminary and that the county was being asked only for staff time to develop a proposal, not approval of the project itself.
Damien Gerard, principal at EGX Energy, told the board the company is considering a large project — “50 to 100 megawatts” — and estimated the plant would use about 30 acres of a roughly 400‑acre county property. Gerard said the site’s previous disturbance, road access and geologic conditions made it…
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