California Environmental Quality Act: geothermal exploratory projects.

Assembly Member Papan's legislation modifies California's environmental review process for geothermal exploratory projects by expanding their definition and creating a temporary CEQA exemption for qualifying county-led initiatives through 2031. The bill broadens what constitutes a geothermal exploratory project to include equipment and activities for establishing well-reservoir interconnectivity, temporary roads, and electric distribution infrastructure.

Under the new provisions, county-led geothermal exploratory projects can qualify for CEQA exemption if they meet specific environmental safeguards. Projects must not produce commercial quantities of geothermal resources, disturb more than 12 acres of undisturbed ground, or operate within 100 feet of sensitive areas like wetlands, rivers, and protected habitats. The exemption also requires full site reclamation, including native plant restoration, unless the site becomes part of a larger geothermal development project.

The legislation establishes procedural requirements for counties utilizing the exemption. Lead agencies must post public notices 30 days before approval, may require indemnity bonds for reclamation costs, and must file notices with the State Clearinghouse and county clerk when exempting projects. Project applicants must certify compliance with prevailing wage requirements for construction workers, either as public works projects or through specific labor agreements. Counties retain authority to levy fees and assessments to implement these provisions without state reimbursement.