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    AB-527
    Energy & Environment

    California Environmental Quality Act: geothermal exploratory projects: geothermal field development projects.

    Engrossed
    CA
    ∙
    2025-2026 Regular Session
    0
    0
    Track
    Track

    Key Takeaways

    • Exempts qualifying geothermal exploratory projects from environmental review until January 2031.
    • Requires projects to avoid sensitive areas and limit disturbance to under 12 acres of undisturbed land.
    • Mandates full site restoration after exploration unless the site becomes a permanent geothermal facility.
    • Requires developers to disclose drilling fluids and post public notices 30 days before project approval.

    Summary

    Assembly Member Papan's geothermal exploration bill creates a temporary exemption from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requirements for certain county-managed geothermal exploratory projects through 2031. The exemption applies to projects with up to six wells that meet specific environmental protection criteria, including limiting surface disturbance to 12 acres and maintaining minimum distances from sensitive habitats.

    To qualify for the exemption, projects must avoid commercial production activities, protect historical and tribal cultural resources, and commit to full site reclamation. Project developers must submit detailed surveys of natural and cultural resources, while counties acting as lead agencies may require indemnity bonds to secure reclamation costs. The bill expands the definition of exploratory projects to include equipment for establishing well-reservoir connections and associated infrastructure like temporary roads and power distribution.

    For subsequent geothermal field development at exempted exploratory sites, environmental reviews must use baseline conditions from before exploration activities began. The legislation aligns California's approach with recent federal policy that established similar categorical exclusions for geothermal exploration on federal lands, responding to increasing demand for geothermal energy resources in the state's utility markets.

    Key Dates

    Next Step
    Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Water
    Next Step
    Senate Committee
    Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Water
    Hearing scheduled for , 1021 O Street, Room 2200
    Senate Environmental Quality Hearing
    Senate Committee
    Senate Environmental Quality Hearing
    Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Natural Resources and Water]
    Vote on Assembly Floor
    Assembly Floor
    Vote on Assembly Floor
    AB 527 Papan Assembly Third Reading
    Assembly Appropriations Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Appropriations Hearing
    Do pass
    Assembly Natural Resources Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Natural Resources Hearing
    Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
    Introduced
    Assembly Floor
    Introduced
    Read first time. To print.

    Contacts

    Profile
    Shannon GroveR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Benjamin AllenD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Henry SternD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Monique LimonD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Melissa HurtadoD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    0 of 9 row(s) selected.
    Page 1 of 2
    Select All Legislators
    Profile
    Shannon GroveR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Benjamin AllenD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Henry SternD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Monique LimonD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Melissa HurtadoD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Kelly SeyartoR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    John LairdD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Diane PapanD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Chris RogersD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author

    Get Involved

    Act Now!

    Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

    Introduced By

    Diane Papan
    Diane PapanD
    California State Assembly Member
    Co-Author
    Chris Rogers
    Chris RogersD
    California State Assembly Member
    40% progression
    Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (5/27/2025)

    Latest Voting History

    View History
    July 2, 2025
    PASS
    Senate Committee
    Senate Environmental Quality Hearing
    AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
    6118PASS

    Key Takeaways

    • Exempts qualifying geothermal exploratory projects from environmental review until January 2031.
    • Requires projects to avoid sensitive areas and limit disturbance to under 12 acres of undisturbed land.
    • Mandates full site restoration after exploration unless the site becomes a permanent geothermal facility.
    • Requires developers to disclose drilling fluids and post public notices 30 days before project approval.

    Get Involved

    Act Now!

    Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

    Introduced By

    Diane Papan
    Diane PapanD
    California State Assembly Member
    Co-Author
    Chris Rogers
    Chris RogersD
    California State Assembly Member

    Summary

    Assembly Member Papan's geothermal exploration bill creates a temporary exemption from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requirements for certain county-managed geothermal exploratory projects through 2031. The exemption applies to projects with up to six wells that meet specific environmental protection criteria, including limiting surface disturbance to 12 acres and maintaining minimum distances from sensitive habitats.

    To qualify for the exemption, projects must avoid commercial production activities, protect historical and tribal cultural resources, and commit to full site reclamation. Project developers must submit detailed surveys of natural and cultural resources, while counties acting as lead agencies may require indemnity bonds to secure reclamation costs. The bill expands the definition of exploratory projects to include equipment for establishing well-reservoir connections and associated infrastructure like temporary roads and power distribution.

    For subsequent geothermal field development at exempted exploratory sites, environmental reviews must use baseline conditions from before exploration activities began. The legislation aligns California's approach with recent federal policy that established similar categorical exclusions for geothermal exploration on federal lands, responding to increasing demand for geothermal energy resources in the state's utility markets.

    40% progression
    Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (5/27/2025)

    Key Dates

    Next Step
    Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Water
    Next Step
    Senate Committee
    Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Water
    Hearing scheduled for , 1021 O Street, Room 2200
    Senate Environmental Quality Hearing
    Senate Committee
    Senate Environmental Quality Hearing
    Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Natural Resources and Water]
    Vote on Assembly Floor
    Assembly Floor
    Vote on Assembly Floor
    AB 527 Papan Assembly Third Reading
    Assembly Appropriations Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Appropriations Hearing
    Do pass
    Assembly Natural Resources Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Natural Resources Hearing
    Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
    Introduced
    Assembly Floor
    Introduced
    Read first time. To print.

    Latest Voting History

    View History
    July 2, 2025
    PASS
    Senate Committee
    Senate Environmental Quality Hearing
    AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
    6118PASS

    Contacts

    Profile
    Shannon GroveR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Benjamin AllenD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Henry SternD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Monique LimonD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Melissa HurtadoD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    0 of 9 row(s) selected.
    Page 1 of 2
    Select All Legislators
    Profile
    Shannon GroveR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Benjamin AllenD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Henry SternD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Monique LimonD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Melissa HurtadoD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Kelly SeyartoR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    John LairdD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Diane PapanD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Chris RogersD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author