Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs) establishing intent to partner in development of geothermal resources in the Geothermal Opportunity Zone (“GeoZone”)
Summary
SCH Number
2022110300
Public Agency
Sonoma Clean Power Authority
Document Title
Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs) establishing intent to partner in development of geothermal resources in the Geothermal Opportunity Zone (“GeoZone”)
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
11/15/2022
Document Description
There are three MOUs, though none of the MOUs qualify as a project under CEQA. The first MOU is between SCPA and Eavor Inc.; the second is between SCPA and Chevron New Energies; and the third is between SCPA and Cyrq Energy Inc.
The purpose of each MOU is to formally recognize the intent of the parties to negotiate a public-private partnership agreement and work together in good faith for the purpose of developing new geothermal resources in the GeoZone.
The MOUs do not commit any party to development of any new geothermal resources, do not commit any party to enter any public-private partnership agreement, and do not commit any party to take any actions that may have an impact on the environment.
Contact Information
Name
Ryan Tracey
Agency Name
Sonoma Clean Power Authority
Job Title
Director of Planning & Analytics
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Counties
Mendocino, Sonoma
Regions
Countywide
Other Location Info
Sonoma County and Mendocino County
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Other
Type, Section or Code
State CEQA Guidelines section 15060(c)(2)-(3)
Reasons for Exemption
On October 6, 2022, the Board of Directors of the Sonoma Clean Power Authority authorized its Chief Executive Officer or his designee to execute the three MOUs.
The MOUs do not qualify as a project subject to CEQA because they will not result in a direct, or reasonably foreseeable indirect, physical change in the environment. (State CEQA Guidelines, §§ 15060(c)(2)-(3), 15378 [to qualify as a project under CEQA, activity must have potential to result in direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment].)
Notably, the MOUs do not commit the parties to the development of any new geothermal resource, do not commit the parties to enter into any public-private partnership agreement, and do not commit the parties to engage in any activity that could result in a physical change to the environment. The MOUs therefore do not qualify as a project subject to CEQA.
County Clerks
Mendocino, Sonoma
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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