Proposed legislation that would diversify California's energy
portfolio by requiring energy retail sellers to procure 500 megawatts of
electricity from baseload geothermal power plants in the next 10 years
continues to move through the state Legislature.
Senate Bill 1139 advanced from the Assembly Appropriations Committee
today and is expected to go before the full Assembly for a floor vote sometime
before the Legislature's end-of-the-month voting deadline.
Authored by Senator Ben Hueso (D-San Diego) and co-authored by Assemblyman V.
Manuel Pérez (D-Coachella), this legislation is considered critical by the
Imperial Irrigation District to advance its Salton Sea Restoration and
Renewable Energy Initiative. A collaborative effort between IID and Imperial
County, the initiative calls for the development of new geothermal energy
projects at the Salton Sea as a platform - and funding mechanism - for the
sea's ultimate restoration.
"The initiative can help assure the future of the Salton Sea, protect
public health, conserve vital species habitat and create stability for meeting
California's water supply and energy needs," said Jim Hanks, President of
the IID Board of Directors.
The Known Geothermal Resource Area in and around the Salton Sea, the majority
of which is located on IID-owned lands, is estimated to contain up to 2,000
megawatts of untapped geothermal energy.
SB 1139 has the potential to generate up to $38 million per year in local
revenue, hundreds of high-paying jobs and investments toward meaningful
economic development and creates the kind of development needed in California
to produce jobs, protect against fuel price increases and reduce greenhouse gas
and fossil fuel emissions. At the local level, the development of geothermal
resources is expected to create jobs for the Coachella and Imperial Valley
communities as well as generate potential financing for Salton Sea restoration.
SB 1139 was approved by the full Senate in May. In June,
both the Assembly's Utilities and Commerce Committee and the Natural Resources
Committee also approved the legislation in separate hearings.
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