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Board names single point of contact for energy project inquiries; ad hoc to assess geothermal setbacks and policy options
Summary
County administrative staff said the energy-policy ad hoc committee is exploring models for community energy, reliability and project oversight; the board agreed to designate Deputy CAO Ben Rickleman as the initial point of contact and asked the committee to review geothermal setbacks and policy tools for protecting county interests.
The Board of Supervisors received an update from the energy-policy ad hoc committee, which has met in preliminary session to explore potential models for local energy projects, participation in community choice or joint‑power arrangements, and ways the county might preserve value from energy infrastructure.
Deputy CAO Ben Rickleman told the board there are two active energy projects in permitting (a Morgan Valley wind project and a Bottle Rock geothermal reactivation). Committee members discussed the complexity of owning or acquiring infrastructure for energy procurement and the requirements that community-choice partners expect (for example, some partners prefer a jurisdiction to own or control infrastructure to engage fully).
Supervisors advised staff to review options and to produce policy guidance: model developer agreements, potential franchise or royalty approaches, and protections around water and resource use. The board concurred to name Rickleman the county’s initial point of contact for energy project inquiries.
Supervisor Sabatier asked the ad hoc to also review geothermal setbacks to ensure mapping aligns with community‑growth boundaries and to prepare options the board can consider that limit environmental and community impacts while preserving economic opportunity.
