Memorandum
Date: December 1, 2020
To: The Honorable Moke Simon, Chair, Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Supervisor Brown, District 5 Supervisor
Subject: Adopt proclamation for Calpine Corporation the Geysers - Sixty Years of Power
Executive Summary: (include fiscal and staffing impact narrative):
WHEREAS, the year 2020 marks the 60th anniversary of commercial geothermal power production at The Geysers, the world’s largest geothermal power resource located in the Mayacamas Mountains of Lake County; and
WHEREAS, Calpine’s fleet of 78 power plants represent nearly 26,000 megawatts of generation capacity of clean, cost-effective, reliable and fuel-efficient electricity to communities in 22 U.S. states, Canada and Mexico; and
WHEREAS, at The Geysers, is the largest producing geothermal field in the world and Calpine is the nation’s largest renewable geothermal power producer, operating 13 geothermal power plants generating up to 725 megawatts of green, baseload energy around the clock; and
WHEREAS, Calpine’s renewable geothermal electrical generation at The Geysers comprises 9% percent of California’s total renewable generation meets the typical power needs of Lake, Sonoma and Mendocino counties, as well a portion of the power needs of Marin and Napa counties; and,
WHEREAS, through innovation, Calpine’s consolidation, integration of the steam fields and power plants at The Geysers by using a natural, clean energy source, heat from steam produced one and a half miles below the earth’s surface, to produce electricity that is helping to meet California’s bold goal for reducing greenhouse gas emissions; and
WHEREAS, Calpine’s operations at The Geysers employs over 300 people, a majority of which reside in Lake County with about 150 full-time contractor jobs, contributing significantly to the local economy through property taxes, royalties, goods and services; and
WHEREAS, Calpine takes seriously its role as community member by supporting local emergency response units, helping area organizations, charities, schools and maintaining a visitors center available for community events and meetings, helping draw tourists to the area and educate the public on the benefits of geothermal power; and
WHEREAS, Calpine having teamed with Lake County to build the nation’s first recycled water-to-power project - the Southeast Geysers Effluent Pipeline followed by the Santa Rosa Recharge Geysers Pipeline project, providing an environmentally responsible way to dispose of treated recycled water while preventing its discharge into local rivers and lakes while providing a sustainable source of steam for Calpine’s power operations that has help sustain generation capacity at The Geysers; and
WHEREAS, Calpine has achieved many noteworthy environmental, production and operational awards for its ongoing commitment to safety and the environment and its excellence in lease maintenance at The Geysers;
BE IT PROCLAIMED THAT THE LAKE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS congratulates Calpine Corporation on its commitment to environmentally responsible power production, its outstanding financial and volunteer contributions to our area communities in which it operates and the innovation, professionalism and expertise of its employees who work hard daily to ensure the sustainability of The Geysers and continuation of green geothermal power production in Lake County for years to come.
If not budgeted, fill in the blanks below only:
Estimated Cost: ________ Amount Budgeted: ________ Additional Requested: ________ Future Annual Cost: ________
Consistency with Vision 2028 and/or Fiscal Crisis Management Plan (check all that apply): ☐ Not applicable
☐ Well-being of Residents ☐ Public Safety ☐ Infrastructure ☐ Technology Upgrades
☐ Economic Development ☐ Disaster Recovery ☐ County Workforce ☐ Revenue Generation
☐ Community Collaboration ☐ Business Process Efficiency ☐ Clear Lake ☐ Cost Savings
If request for exemption from competitive bid in accordance with County Code Chapter 2 Sec. 2-38, fill in blanks below:
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Recommended Action:
Adopt proclamation for Calpine Corporation the Geysers - Sixty Years of Power