USA, California:

Amendment Elevates Salton Sea Geothermal Resources in Procurement Process (Imperial Valley Press)

Assemblyman V. Manuel Pérez on Friday presented amendments to a bill by Senator Rod Wright, D-Inglewood, that elevates Salton Sea geothermal resources in the state’s energy procurement process. As amended, SB 760 directs the California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to consider base load renewable energy resources in the Salton Sea basin as a means to achieve the state’s 33 percent Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), while maintaining the reliability of the electrical grid and minimizing greenhouse gas emissions.

“With the closure of the San Onofre nuclear facility and the anticipated retirement of other power plants, we have an opportunity to pursue a path of clean, green energy,” said Pérez. “I firmly believe that Salton Sea geothermal resources can help anchor Southern California energy needs, improve air quality, and maintain the state’s progress in reducing greenhouse gases, while facilitating the growth of the desert renewable energy economy.”

Rather than a mandate, the bill instead requires the PUC to consider geothermal resources given the energy source’s ability to provide reliable, non-greenhouse gas emitting power to meet the state’s energy needs. The amendments were approved on the Assembly Floor recently with a vote of 52-24.

The Imperial Valley and the Salton Sea is the destination for a GRC Field Trip departing from the GRC Annual Meeting & GEA Expo at the MGM Grand, Las Vegsa, Nevada, Sept.29-Oct.2.

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