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

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.