[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 79 (Thursday, May 21, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E785]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING CALIFORNIA'S GEOTHERMAL INDUSTRY

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                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 21, 2015

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor 
California's Geothermal Industry as we celebrate Geothermal Awareness 
Month. It is important to recognize the success of existing geothermal 
facilities in California and the great value in promoting the 
development of new geothermal power, one of California's greatest 
natural resources.
  Geothermal energy is an excellent source of clean, renewable energy 
that supports thousands of jobs across our district and state. Not only 
does the production of geothermal energy boost our economy and reduce 
our dependence on foreign oil, it provides counties with important 
royalty payments which they use to pay for important priorities like 
public safety, road maintenance and law enforcement. Furthermore, 
geothermal energy is critical to California's renewable and low carbon 
energy goals.
  Geothermal energy is locally produced and boosts rural economies 
through jobs, royalties, tax payments and more. While in development, a 
geothermal power project will employ hundreds of individuals during 
construction and post-construction, more than most other renewable 
technologies. I am proud to represent The Geysers, which lies beneath 
the surface of Lake and Sonoma Counties, employs 300 full-time 
employees at Calpine, fifty full-time employees at the Northern 
California Power Agency's two Geysers power plants and more than 150 
contractors. The Geysers is also the largest taxpayer in both Sonoma 
and Lake Counties.
  Geothermal power benefits communities across the state, while 
providing important environmental benefits. In the south, The Salton 
Sea Restoration and Renewable Energy Initiative, a plan to save an 
important source of water and minerals in the state, can add up to 
1,700 megawatts of low-impact, cost-competitive geothermal energy to 
the State's power grid. In the north, the Geysers maximizes the 
economic and environmental benefits of the resource, and helps reduce 
greenhouse gas emissions to the equivalent of removing almost half a 
million cars from the road, meaning cleaner air for local towns and 
cities.
  Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we recognize May 21, 
2015 as Geothermal Awareness Day and honor California's Geothermal 
Industry for ensuring that new and existing geothermal power is part of 
a diverse and sustainable energy mix now and in the future.

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