- Project Owner
- Black Rock Geothermal, LLC, a subsidiary of BHE Renewables, LLC (BHER)
- Docket Number
- 23-AFC-03
- Capacity
- 77 MW (Net)
- Location
- Imperial County
- Technology
- Steam Turbine
- Project Status
- Under Review
- Project Type
- Application for Certification
The Black Rock Geothermal Project (BRGP) is proposed to be developed by Black Rock Geothermal, LLC, an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of BHE Renewables, LLC (BHER). The project is on 55 acres of a 160-acre parcel in unincorporated Imperial County, bounded by McKendry Road to the north, Severe Road to the west, and Boyle Road to the east. The town of Niland is approximately eight miles to the northeast, and the town of Calipatria is approximately six miles southeast of the plant site.
BRGP would have a maximum continuous rating of approximately 87 megawatts (MW) gross, with an expected net output of roughly 77 MW. The project includes geothermal production wells, pipelines, fluid and steam handling facilities, a solids handling system, a Class II surface impoundment, a service water pond, a retention basin, process fluid injection pumps, and injection wells.
Main components of MBGP include a steam turbine generator system, geothermal fluid processing system, one seven-cell cooling tower, 12 wells (including production and injection wells) and 7 well pads, and a 2.2-mile long aboveground interconnection to the Imperial Irrigation District switching station.
Power Plant Certification and Exemption Processes
The CEC has the exclusive authority to certify all thermal power plants 50 megawatts (MW) and larger and related facilities proposed for construction in California. The Application for Certification (AFC) process is a certified regulatory program under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). As a certified regulatory program, the CEC does not prepare environmental impact reports (EIRs) in an AFC proceeding, but instead prepares environmental assessment documents that are functionally equivalent to EIRs. A certificate issued by the CEC is in lieu of any permit, certificate, or similar document otherwise required by any state, local or regional agency, or federal agency to the extent permitted by federal law, and supersedes any applicable statute, ordinance, or regulation of any state, local, or regional agency, or federal agency to the extent permitted by federal law.
Contacts
Project Manager
Eric Veerkamp
STEPsiting@energy.ca.gov
(Please enter project name in the email subject line)
916-661-8458
Public Participation Questions
Public Advisor
publicadvisor@energy.ca.gov
916-957-7910
Media Inquiries
Media & Public Communications Office
mediaoffice@energy.ca.gov
916-654-4989