How CEQA Has Streamlined the NEPA Process for the DOE Geothermal Loan Guaranty Program

Abstract

During the past decade, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has contributed to the development of the nation's geothermal resources by (1) funding geothermal research and development, (2) cost charging with private industry in commercial sale geothermal demonstration power plant projects, and (3) guarantying loans to wholly or partially finance electric power generation and direct heat project. Geothermal loan guaranties have been granted for nine projects located in the western Untied States, most of them in California where certain state and/or local agency actins are subject to environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) of 1970. Similarly, the federal action of granting a geothermal loan guaranty must be reviewed pursuant to he National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 to determine this impacts to the quality of the human environment. This paper traces the evolution o the relationship between the CEQA and NEPA environmental review processes, and focuses on the manner in which CEQA has streamlined the NEPA review for the DOE geothermal loan guaranty program. Two recently prepared DOE environmental assessments are highlighted to describe the incorporation of CEQA analyses and documents into NEPA documents.