The governor signed a bill which will streamline the approvals process for geothermal projects, but he vetoed one aimed at doing the same for geothermal exploration, citing fee increases.
Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-Calif., signed into law Monday a bill that will expand the California Energy Commission's streamlined certification program to allow it to speed approvals for geothermal energy, but he vetoed a bill to speed approvals of well-drilling for geothermal exploratory projects.
"In addition to delaying much-needed regulations that are already in process, the [Geologic Energy Management] Division would need to substantially increase fees on geothermal operators to implement the new requirements imposed by the bill," Newsom wrote in his veto message for the second bill, AB527.
