California Code of Regulations
Title 20 - Public Utilities and Energy
Division 2 - State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission
Chapter 5 - Power Plant Site Certification
Article 4 - Additional Provisions Applicable to Geothermal Notices and Applications
A - General Provisions
Section 1802 - Policies of the Commission on the Siting of Geothermal Power Plants

(a) To promote the accelerated development of economically feasible and environmentally acceptable geothermal power plants;

(b) To implement a 12-month certification process for the consideration of geothermal applications for projects for which a resource supply has been confirmed, and to delegate its geothermal power plant certification authority to county governments with a demonstrated equivalent certification program;

(c) To enhance public participation in decisions relating to the development of geothermal energy in California to ensure a thorough and balanced consideration of relevant issues;

(d) To assist and cooperate with local permitting agencies in the preparation of environmental documents relating to geothermal power plants, to encourage local agencies to prepare full-field environmental impact reports at the earliest practical time, to provide such agencies with technical and financial assistance wherever possible in the preparation of such reports; and

(e) To avoid the duplication of environmental analyses by coordinating with local, state, and federal agencies in the preparation of environmental documents, including the use of documents prepared by such agencies to the extent practicable.