Susanville Geothermal Investigations, California, Supplemental Technical Data

The city of Susanville, in response to an unemployment rate exceeding 20 percent and other related community needs, has embarked on a comprehensive effort in community and economic development. To improve the local job market, an effort is underway to enhance the competitive position of the local commerce and industry. This effort is directed at the development of local geothermal resources in the form of an energy utility system to furnish low-cost energy to its job-intensive industry. The Susanville Geothermal Energy Project (SGEP) encompasses the research and development for the energy system. A team composed of key citizens, elected officials, city management, and industry has developed the project since late 1973. The Energy Research and Development Administration (ERDA) has contracted for a research program to define the economics of a community building an economic base through the utilization of geothermal energy. The ERDA effort will define the economic model, specific energy systems, and a program plan for the development of a demonstration geothermal utility system. An essential part of this effort will be the development of the institutional tools (policy, planning, organizational, financing, legal and environmental) as required for a community to implement such a development and utilization of its natural resources