The State of California Natural Resources Agency funded the report, aimed at examining renewable energy development and restoration strategies for the drought-threatened lake. The area is of particular interest to the geothermal industry, and the report estimates the Salton Sea to have more than 1,800 MW of geothermal potential.
The report follows after Gov. Jerry Brown (D) signed a bill in October supporting the restoration of the Salton Sea, with the Natural Resources Agency required to submit a list of "shovel-ready" restoration projects on or before March 31, 2016.
The Imperial Valley’s location can offer baseload geothermal generation to Pacific Gas and Electric, Southern California Edison, San Diego Gas and Electric, Arizona Public Service, Tucson Electric Power, NV Energy, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, and the Imperial Irrigation District, according to the report.
