Residents packed the Cedarville Community Center Tuesday evening for a town hall meeting about a proposed geothermal exploration project north of Lake City.
The meeting, hosted by the Surprise Valley Chamber of Commerce, gave community members an opportunity to ask questions and raise concerns about a project proposed by Ormat Technologies Inc., one of the world’s largest geothermal energy companies.
Ormat has obtained geothermal leases on several ranches in the area and is in the early stages of exploring whether a geothermal resource exists.
Company officials said the current proposal involves only exploration and does not include plans for a power plant.
Ormat has proposed up to nine well pads and 11 wells as part of the exploration program but expects to begin by drilling three wells and possibly one or two more depending on results.
Chris Jim, a permitting manager for Ormat, said the wells would be drilled to depths of about 2,000 to 5,000 feet.
“These wells are really about collecting information,” Jim said. “We need to know if there’s actually a resource there before anything else could happen.”
Jim said the company recently submitted its exploration application to Modoc County and hopes to begin drilling later this year if permits are approved.
Scott Nichols, who works with Ormat on community outreach, said Surprise Valley has been the subject of geothermal exploration for decades. He said the company acquired the project and related lease interests in 2024 after Enel exited the U.S. geothermal market.
Nichols said geothermal energy can provide continuous electricity, often described as “baseload” power, and typically requires a relatively small land footprint compared with some other energy sources.
Ormat currently holds about 2,000 acres of geothermal leases north of Lake City, company representatives said.
Residents asked a wide range of questions about potential impacts on groundwater, air quality, wildlife, agriculture and the valley’s rural character.
Several residents voiced concerns about possible impacts on local agriculture, including organic hay production, as well as tourism and outdoor recreation.
Others asked about groundwater protection and how geothermal fluids and drilling chemicals would be handled.
Company officials said geothermal plants typically operate as closed-loop systems in which fluids are brought to the surface, used to generate heat and then reinjected underground. They said wells are designed to protect groundwater and would be subject to environmental review and monitoring.
Wildlife impacts were also discussed, as Surprise Valley lies along the Pacific Flyway, an important migratory route for birds.
Company officials said biological studies have already been conducted for the exploration proposal and additional studies would be required if development moves forward.
Residents also raised questions about noise, lighting and the visual impact of drilling rigs.
Jim said drilling rigs could reach 100 to 150 feet in height and may operate for about a month per well.
A tribal representative also addressed the meeting, noting that formal consultation with tribal governments is required for projects affecting tribal lands and cultural resources.
Ormat representatives said government-to-government consultation would occur through the appropriate agencies and that the company is willing to meet directly with tribal representatives.
Marisol Collons, who oversees community engagement and government affairs for Ormat, said the company plans to continue working with the community as the project moves forward.
“We felt it was important to come here early and talk with you,” Collons said. “We want to make sure the community has information and opportunities to ask questions.”
Several residents said they remain concerned about the long-term implications of geothermal development and plan to continue following the project as it moves through the permitting process.
Source: Modoc Record
