Cumulative impacts study of The Geysers KGRA: public-service impacts of geothermal development
Geothermal development in The Geysers KGRA has affected local public services and fiscal resources in Sonoma, Lake, Mendocino, and Napa counties. Each of these counties underwent rapid population growth between 1970 and 1980, some of which can be attributed to geothermal development. The number of workers currently involved in the various aspects of geothermal development in The Geysers is identified. Using three different development scenarios, projections are made for the number of power plants needed to reach the electrical generation capacity of the steam resource in The Geysers. The report also projects the cumulative number of workers needed to develop the steam field and to construct, operate, and maintain these power plants. Although the number of construction workers fluctuates, most are not likely to become new, permanent residents of the KGRA counties. The administrative and public service costs of geothermal development to local jurisdictions are examined and compared to geothermal revenues accruing to the local governments. Revenues do not cover the immediate fiscal needs resulting from increases in local road maintenance and school enrollment attributable to geothermal development. Several mitigation options are discussed, and a framework is presented for calculating mitigation costs per unit of public service.
- Research Organization:
- California Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission, Sacramento (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 5119126
- Report Number(s):
- P-700-82-005; ON: DE82905249
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Portions of document are illegible
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
GEYSERS GEOTHERMAL FIELD
ECONOMIC IMPACT
EDUCATION
EMPLOYMENT
GEOTHERMAL POWER PLANTS
MAINTENANCE
MUNICIPAL WASTES
RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
ROADS
SOCIAL IMPACT
SOCIAL SERVICES
WATER SUPPLY
GEOTHERMAL FIELDS
POWER PLANTS
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
WASTES
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