California2026Active
AB-1016
Exemption Rules for Geothermal Power Plants
Last scannedAug 24, 2026, 7:05 AM
In one sentence
This law allows a state commission to skip its usual approval process for certain geothermal power plants if local agencies handle the environmental review and specific workforce rules are met.
What it does
- Allows the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission to exempt specific geothermal thermal powerplants from certification requirements until January 1, 2030.
- Requires project proposers to file an application with a local government agency by June 30, 2029.
- Makes the local government agency the lead for environmental reviews under CEQA instead of the state commission for these exempted projects.
- Limits exemptions to powerplants or modifications that produce between 50 and 150 megawatts of electricity using only geothermal resources, including plans for multiple plants sharing infrastructure with a total capacity of at least 50 megawatts.
- Requires proposers to certify they will follow specific rules regarding skilled and trained workers if an exemption is granted.
Who it affects
- Companies proposing new thermal powerplants that use exclusively geothermal energy.
- The State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission, which grants the exemptions.
- Local government agencies with land-use jurisdiction over the proposed project sites.
Limits and unknowns
- The exemption authority ends on January 1, 2030.
- Projects must meet specific size limits between 50 and 150 megawatts to qualify for the new rule.
- Proposers must file their applications by June 30, 2029.
Plain language
Terms to know
- Thermal powerplant
- A facility that generates electricity using heat, such as from steam or hot water underground.
- CEQA
- The California Environmental Quality Act, a law requiring environmental reviews for public projects.
- Megawatts (MW)
- A unit used to measure the amount of electricity a powerplant can generate at one time.
Official record
Sources
Official summary
Power facility and site certifications: thermal powerplants: geothermal resources.
Official activity
Bill history
- Senate - Energy, Utilities and Communications