A new report from Clean Air Task Force (CATF) outlines key policy actions California can take to accelerate geothermal energy development and strengthen its path to a clean, reliable, and affordable electric grid.
“California has some of the best geothermal resources in the world, and a real opportunity to lead in scaling next-generation geothermal,” said Ashley Arax, Senior California Policy Manager at CATF. “Realizing that potential will require proactive steps to support its growth and reduce deployment barriers so that it can deliver the zero-carbon power California needs to meet its clean energy goals.”
The report, Unlocking California’s Geothermal Potential: A Strategic Opportunity for Clean, Firm Power, finds that next-generation geothermal technologies, such as superhot rock geothermal, could become a vital part of the state’s clean energy portfolio by providing clean firm electricity that complements solar, wind, and battery storage. But realizing that potential will require a coordinated effort to reduce permitting barriers, modernize outdated regulations, and a plan to identify where next-generation geothermal is most viable to create market certainty.
The report arrives at a pivotal moment, as California agencies and lawmakers grapple with how to ensure an affordable transition to a reliable, zero-carbon grid. It provides an educational foundation for policymakers, regulators, and stakeholders seeking to better understand the benefits and challenges of geothermal development in the state.
Key recommendations include:
- Accelerating and streamlining permitting by improving inter-agency coordination, modifying existing efforts to streamline permitting streamlining pathways, and developing a permitting guidebook for the geothermal industry
- Modernizing geothermal-specific regulations to reflect the latest technologies and safety practices
- Expanding state grant programs and/or procurement mandates to support the development of more in-state geothermal energy
- Creating a cohesive geothermal development strategy to identify high-potential geothermal zones, set long-term goals, and send clear market signals to accelerate investment.
“Next-gen geothermal can deliver zero-carbon energy around the clock in enormous quantities. CATF’s modeling finds that just 1% of California’s superhot next-generation geothermal resource could produce 379 GW of energy,” said Terra Rogers, Program Director for Superhot Rock Geothermal at CATF. “This report offers practical steps to turn that potential into a reality and ensure California tap into this critical resource as part of its clean energy portfolio.”
Read the report here for detailed guidance how agencies, regulators, and developers can accelerate geothermal deployment in California and integrate next-generation geothermal into a clean, reliable, and affordable energy system.