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    AB-1016
    Energy & Environment

    Power facility and site certifications: thermal powerplants: geothermal resources.

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

    Key Takeaways

    • Streamlines approval for geothermal power plants generating 50-150 megawatts through local agency review until 2030.
    • Requires all construction and maintenance work to be performed by skilled and trained workforce.
    • Transfers environmental review authority from state to local agencies for qualifying geothermal projects.
    • Imposes penalties up to $10,000 per month for contractors who violate workforce requirements.

    Summary

    Assembly Member Jeff Gonzalez proposes modifying California's thermal powerplant certification process to create a temporary pathway for geothermal energy projects to obtain local agency approval rather than state certification. The legislation establishes specific criteria under which geothermal facilities generating between 50 and 150 megawatts may bypass the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission's certification requirements through January 1, 2030.

    To qualify for this alternative approval track, project developers must file applications with local land use authorities by June 30, 2029. The local agency assumes lead responsibility for environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act, provided the project is located in a county with an approved geothermal element in its general plan. Projects must use exclusively geothermal resources and cannot have any predecessor exempt projects that resulted in significant environmental or public health impacts.

    The bill institutes workforce requirements for exempt facilities, mandating that contractors and subcontractors employ a skilled and trained workforce for construction and maintenance work. At least 60 percent of journeypersons must be graduates of state-approved apprenticeship programs. Project owners must submit monthly compliance reports to the Commission documenting worker qualifications. The Labor Commissioner may assess civil penalties up to $5,000 per month for initial violations and $10,000 for subsequent infractions, with provisions for reduction based on circumstances like whether violations were intentional and if voluntary remediation occurred.

    Local agencies gain expanded authority over geothermal development while retaining environmental safeguards through discretionary permitting and CEQA review requirements. The temporary nature of these provisions allows for evaluation of outcomes before the exemption pathway expires in 2030.

    Key Dates

    Next Step
    Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications
    Next Step
    Senate Committee
    Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications
    Hearing has not been scheduled yet
    Vote on Assembly Floor
    Assembly Floor
    Vote on Assembly Floor
    AB 1016 Jeff Gonzalez 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]
    Assembly Utilities And Energy Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Utilities And Energy Hearing
    Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Natural Resources]
    Introduced
    Assembly Floor
    Introduced
    Read first time. To print.

    Contacts

    Profile
    Anna CaballeroD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    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
    0 of 17 row(s) selected.
    Page 1 of 4
    Select All Legislators
    Profile
    Anna CaballeroD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    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
    Bob ArchuletaD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Melissa HurtadoD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Susan RubioD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Lena GonzalezD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Megan DahleR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Josh BeckerD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Rosilicie Ochoa BoghR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Angelique AshbyD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Aisha WahabD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Jeff GonzalezR
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Jesse ArreguinD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Jerry McNerneyD
    Senator
    Committee Member

    Get Involved

    Act Now!

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

    Introduced By

    Jeff Gonzalez
    Jeff GonzalezR
    California State Assembly Member
    40% progression
    Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (5/23/2025)

    Latest Voting History

    View History
    May 23, 2025
    PASS
    Assembly Floor
    Vote on Assembly Floor
    AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
    691979PASS

    Key Takeaways

    • Streamlines approval for geothermal power plants generating 50-150 megawatts through local agency review until 2030.
    • Requires all construction and maintenance work to be performed by skilled and trained workforce.
    • Transfers environmental review authority from state to local agencies for qualifying geothermal projects.
    • Imposes penalties up to $10,000 per month for contractors who violate workforce requirements.

    Get Involved

    Act Now!

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

    Introduced By

    Jeff Gonzalez
    Jeff GonzalezR
    California State Assembly Member

    Summary

    Assembly Member Jeff Gonzalez proposes modifying California's thermal powerplant certification process to create a temporary pathway for geothermal energy projects to obtain local agency approval rather than state certification. The legislation establishes specific criteria under which geothermal facilities generating between 50 and 150 megawatts may bypass the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission's certification requirements through January 1, 2030.

    To qualify for this alternative approval track, project developers must file applications with local land use authorities by June 30, 2029. The local agency assumes lead responsibility for environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act, provided the project is located in a county with an approved geothermal element in its general plan. Projects must use exclusively geothermal resources and cannot have any predecessor exempt projects that resulted in significant environmental or public health impacts.

    The bill institutes workforce requirements for exempt facilities, mandating that contractors and subcontractors employ a skilled and trained workforce for construction and maintenance work. At least 60 percent of journeypersons must be graduates of state-approved apprenticeship programs. Project owners must submit monthly compliance reports to the Commission documenting worker qualifications. The Labor Commissioner may assess civil penalties up to $5,000 per month for initial violations and $10,000 for subsequent infractions, with provisions for reduction based on circumstances like whether violations were intentional and if voluntary remediation occurred.

    Local agencies gain expanded authority over geothermal development while retaining environmental safeguards through discretionary permitting and CEQA review requirements. The temporary nature of these provisions allows for evaluation of outcomes before the exemption pathway expires in 2030.

    40% progression
    Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (5/23/2025)

    Key Dates

    Next Step
    Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications
    Next Step
    Senate Committee
    Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications
    Hearing has not been scheduled yet
    Vote on Assembly Floor
    Assembly Floor
    Vote on Assembly Floor
    AB 1016 Jeff Gonzalez 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]
    Assembly Utilities And Energy Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Utilities And Energy Hearing
    Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Natural Resources]
    Introduced
    Assembly Floor
    Introduced
    Read first time. To print.

    Latest Voting History

    View History
    May 23, 2025
    PASS
    Assembly Floor
    Vote on Assembly Floor
    AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
    691979PASS

    Contacts

    Profile
    Anna CaballeroD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    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
    0 of 17 row(s) selected.
    Page 1 of 4
    Select All Legislators
    Profile
    Anna CaballeroD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    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
    Bob ArchuletaD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Melissa HurtadoD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Susan RubioD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Lena GonzalezD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Megan DahleR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Josh BeckerD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Rosilicie Ochoa BoghR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Angelique AshbyD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Aisha WahabD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Jeff GonzalezR
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Jesse ArreguinD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Jerry McNerneyD
    Senator
    Committee Member