Sonoma-Lake-Mendocino Proactive Regional Geothermal Planning Project
Summary
SCH Number
2026010805
Public Agency
California Energy Commission
Document Title
Sonoma-Lake-Mendocino Proactive Regional Geothermal Planning Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
1/26/2026
Document Description
This project will create reliable surface datasets and geospatial analysis that provide local county planning and permitting expertise for geothermal development, identify opportunities for industry to develop geothermal resources of conventional and next-generation technologies that are compatible with surface conditions, and foster meaningful engagement with community and tribal partners. The project aims to guide the industry towards lower-risk permitting opportunities and provide an important foundation for future updates to county zoning or general plan updates.
Contact Information
Name
Erica Loza
Agency Name
California Energy Commission
Job Title
Electric Generation System Specialist I
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Counties
Sonoma
Regions
San Francisco Bay Area
Zip
95403
Other Location Info
2550 Ventura Ave, Santa Rosa, CA, 95403
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14 § 15306
Reasons for Exemption
Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, § 15306 provides that projects which consist of basic data collection, research, experimental management, and resource evaluation activities which do not result in a serious or major disturbance to an environmental resource, are categorically exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). This project includes activities primarily involving office-based activities performed on computers, such as the development of reliable surface datasets and geospatial analyses through a cutting-edge three-dimensional subsurface model, subsurface modeling to assess geothermal development potential as well as a surface constraint analysis to determine low-conflict opportunities for future exploration and development, conducting literature review, and research. Through research and collaboration with other agencies, the project will enhance local planning and permitting expertise for geothermal development and foster meaningful engagement with community and tribal partners to strengthen regional capacity for geothermal planning and permitting. For these reasons, the proposed project will have no significant effect on the environment and is categorically exempt under section 15306.
The project will not impact an environmental resource of hazardous or critical concern where designated, precisely mapped, and officially adopted pursuant to law by federal, state, or local agencies; does not involve any cumulative impacts of successive projects of the same type in the same place that might be considered significant; does not involve unusual circumstances that might have a significant effect on the environment; will not result in damage to scenic resources within a highway officially designated as a state scenic highway; the project site is not included on any list compiled pursuant to Government Code section 65962.5; and the project will not cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource. Therefore, none of the exceptions to categorical exemptions listed in CEQA Guidelines section 15300.2 apply to this project, and this project will not have a significant effect on the environment.
County Clerk
Sonoma
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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