Lake County advisers press for stronger geothermal setbacks, water protections and tribal consultation

A Lake County advisory committee on April 3 pressed county staff and PlaceWorks consultants to tighten protections in the draft geothermal resources element of the Lake County 2050 general plan.

At a hybrid meeting of the General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC), Tanya Sunberg, principal with PlaceWorks, summarized the draft element as providing “policy guidance to support the efficient, sustainable and safe use of the county's geothermal resources” through goals on research, planning processes and environmental protection. After the presentation, committee members and dozens of public commenters said the draft did not yet give residents adequate, enforceable safeguards.

Many speakers urged the county to preserve or strengthen the 2008 geothermal buffers that extend from the Clear Lake shoreline to the ridge line. “That setback was put into place to protect the lake,” said Holly Harris during public comment; other GPAC members said language in the current draft that recommends reviewing Article 27 and setback maps for possible updates could be read as an effort to loosen protections. Members asked staff to retain or improve the older standards that protect water bodies and viewsheds.

Speakers also pressed for clearer protection of groundwater and stronger limits on injection fluids. An industry‑experienced resident warned that some operators use proprietary fluids in injection wells and urged a rule that would require disclosure and bar hazardous (Prop 65‑listed) chemicals from being injected near sensitive aquifers. West Baker said groundwater contamination is not mitigable once it occurs and called for explicit prohibitions on risky practices.

Tribal representatives and others urged the plan to emphasize avoidance—not only mitigation—of cultural sites. One tribal participant said hot springs and village sites hold spiritual value that cannot be replaced, and asked for early, ongoing collaboration so projects can be sited to avoid disturbance. Staff noted the county follows AB 52 and SB 18 consultation requirements and said a cultural heritage resource policy and a county–tribal co‑management agreement (focused on Clear Lake and its watershed) are in development.

Public commenter Sterling Wellman said the county must spell out expectations before projects advance: “The general plan should not just encourage geothermal development. It must clearly define...public health and safety protections, noise and infrastructure protections, environmental safety safeguards, and enforceable financial benefits to Lake County and its residents,” he said.

GPAC members also focused on oversight and enforcement. Several urged the county to require financial assurance—reclamation bonds or insurance—to guarantee cleanup and reclamation if a plant closes or owners go bankrupt. Committee members recommended stronger, specific language in the draft that would require such assurances and suggested triggers (for example, abandonment or a prolonged failed sale) that would compel reclamation.

On inspections and technical expertise, staff said annual inspections already occur at the Geysers and that the county can hire outside inspectors or consultants when needed; members nevertheless recommended a program to ensure qualified, independent reviewers for high‑risk projects.

The GPAC debated whether to defer some questions—such as the allocation of locally produced electricity and first‑right considerations—to a separate county energy policy or future energy element. Staff said the draft could include a goal or policy to commit to developing an energy element later and recommended carrying technical energy allocation issues into that focused effort.

Next steps: staff will compile GPAC and public input and review suggested changes internally. The final general plan draft is scheduled for Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors hearings in August and September; staff said they will schedule a GPAC recap meeting, likely virtual, prior to those hearings.