Plain English Breakdown
The source confirms that SB 254 must be enacted and that this bill (AB-531) must be enacted last for these changes to operate, but does not specify if SB 254 has been passed or when it was passed relative to AB-531.
Adding Geothermal Power Plants to Environmental Certification
This law allows geothermal power plants, including groups of them on one site, to be certified as environmental leadership projects by the State Energy Commission.
What This Bill Does
- Expands the list of facilities that can become 'environmental leadership development projects' to include geothermal powerplants and projects with multiple geothermal powerplants on a single site.
- Keeps existing rules where certified sites get faster environmental review under CEQA without extra steps by applicants or the Governor.
- Makes the Energy Commission's approval replace other permits, certificates, or local rules required by government agencies.
Who It Names or Affects
- Companies proposing geothermal powerplants in California.
- The State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission (Energy Commission).
- Other governmental agencies that normally issue permits for energy projects.
Terms To Know
- Environmental leadership development project
- A special status given by the Energy Commission to certain energy sites, which speeds up their environmental review process under CEQA and replaces other required permits.
- CEQA
- The California Environmental Quality Act, a law that requires government agencies to analyze and disclose the environmental effects of projects they approve.
Limits and Unknowns
- This change only works if another bill, SB 254, is also passed.
- Both bills must be enacted for this rule to take effect, with AB-531 needing to pass last.
- The official effective date of the law has not been listed in the provided text.