A brand new geothermal plant that will generate as much power as all three existing Ormat Technologies power plants east of Mammoth Lake is in the works. Last week, the Bishop Bureau of Land Management (BLM) extended the time to comment on the project to Jan. 30.
The 38 MWe geothermal plant is proposed for a site adjacent to the existing Casa Diablo Road geothermal complex, tucked up against the volcanic bluffs to the east of the complex. The project is in the planning and environmental review phase and is expected to come to fruition several years from now, if it is approved by the federal land agencies on whose land it will sit.
In the meantime, the project is undergoing a federally mandated environmental review process, called a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). BLM extended the public comment period on this draft, originally due on Jan. 15. The comments are now due to the appropriate federal offices by close of business Wednesday, Jan. 30.
