USA, California: Legislation Will Ensure Half of Coso Geothermal’s Electricity Sales Goes to Local Community

NDAA includes provision to benefit China Lake water, energy security (Ridgecrest Daily Independent)

With the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) sitting on President Donald Trump’s desk, a key component that benefits Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake and the surrounding area as a whole could be signed into law as late as next week.

The U.S. Senate passed the NDAA — the military’s budget for the next year — on Wednesday.

The provision, spearheaded by Congressmen Kevin McCarthy and Paul Cook, will guarantee that China Lake will retain 50 percent of the revenue generated from Coso Geothermal’s electricity sales. Those funds will be utilized for installation-related energy or water security initiatives.

According to David Janiec of the China Lake Alliance and Scott O’Neil of the IWV Economic Development Corporation, the provision will be a boon for both China Lake and the Indian Wells Valley, especially in terms of groundwater planning.

“It essentially provides an amendment to Title X of the U.S. Code, which refers to the sale of geothermal energy produced and where those revenues went from a military base,” Janiec said.

With the amendment passed, the revenue would go to the U.S. Treasury and then credited directly back to China Lake for the specific projects related to energy and water.

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The Navy Geothermal Program will be exhibiting at the GRC Annual Meeting & Expo from 14-17 October at the Peppermill Resort Spa & Casino.