Board forms ad hoc energy policy committee to prepare county for developers, geothermal and microgrids

The Lake County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 6 voted unanimously to form an ad hoc Lake County Energy Policy Committee to advise the board on county energy strategy, siting and community impacts.

Chief Deputy County Administrative Officer Matthew Rothstein outlined recent activity since October 2025: outreach to nearby community choice aggregators (Marin and Yolo counties), an example from Imperial County of state funding for programmatic environmental review and planning, and interest from energy companies including a geologic-hydrogen firm, Coloma, that plans subsurface imaging and landowner outreach beginning in April.

Deputy CAO Benjamin Rickleman described possible committee tasks: policy for energy project intake and management, consultation on federal and state policy affecting Lake County, siting guidance for geothermal and other projects, and initiatives for microgrids and battery storage to reduce local energy costs.

Supervisors discussed membership and scope. Supervisor Pyska said the committee should "pause for a minute and set our table" so the county has a clear pathway when developers approach, and emphasized the need to involve special districts on a consultative basis. Supervisor Sabatier urged early tribal and city inclusion and characterized the group as a first phase that must expand later.

The board approved formation of the ad hoc committee and appointed Supervisors Pyska and Owen as the two board members on the committee; staff will include CAO or designee and department heads as recommended. The motion passed 5-0. The committee will advise the board on policy and pursue funding opportunities for programmatic studies and microgrid pilot projects.

Board members noted the need to balance economic opportunity with environmental and community protections, and to coordinate with tribes and cities as the committee advances its work.