Energy
California Environmental Quality Act: geothermal exploratory projects
AB 2234 clarifies which geothermal testing activities qualify as exploratory projects under CEQA.
The law expands the defined scope of eligible exploratory work and clarifies how required separation from commercial geothermal wells is measured.
What the law does
- Includes equipment and activities needed to establish interconnectivity between wells and reservoirs in a geothermal exploratory project.
- Requires exploratory wells to remain at least one-half mile from commercial geothermal development wells, measured from every point of the wellhead and well path, including the well bottom.
Who it affects
- Geothermal developers conducting pre-development exploration.
- The Geologic Energy Management Division, which serves as CEQA lead agency for geothermal exploratory projects.