Relating to: grants for safe firearm disposal incentive programs and making an appropriation. (FE)

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Deb Andraca and 20 co-sponsors

AB 531 adds geothermal powerplants on a single site to ELDP eligibility, enabling CEQA streamlining and possible preemption of local permits.

Senator Keyeski added as a cosponsor

Summary / Purpose

AB 531 adds geothermal facilities to the types of energy projects that may be certified by the California Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission (Energy Commission or CEC) as "environmental leadership development projects" (ELDPs). ELDP certification makes a site and related facilities eligible for CEQA streamlining and, in many respects, substitutes for other permits or local requirements. The bill amends Public Resources Code section 25545 to include geothermal powerplants and multi‑plant geothermal projects on a single site among eligible facilities.

Key provisions

Amends PRC §25545(b) to add:

“A geothermal powerplant or a project that comprises multiple geothermal powerplants on a single site” to the definition of “facility.”

Leaves in place (existing) eligibility criteria for other facility types, including:

Solar or terrestrial wind plants ≥ 50 MW,
Stationary thermal powerplants ≥ 50 MW that do not use fossil or nuclear fuels,
Energy storage systems capable of storing ≥ 200 MWh, and
Certain hydrogen production facilities and qualifying large discretionary manufacturing projects.

Contains a conditional alternate text (Section 1.5) that, if AB 531 and SB 254 both become law and AB 531 is enacted last (and both effective by Jan 1, 2026), would also modify the capital‑investment threshold for certain discretionary projects from $250,000,000 to $100,000,000 (affecting PRC §25545(4)).

Retains the statutory framework under which an ELDP certification by the Energy Commission:

Confers CEQA streamlining benefits,
Serves in lieu of any permit, certificate, or similar document required by other governmental agencies and can supersede applicable statutes, ordinances, or regulations as specified in existing law.

Existing deadline in prior law for applying for ELDP certification: on or before June 30, 2029 (remains applicable under the statutory framework referenced in the bill).

Who is affected

Geothermal project developers (including consolidated multi‑plant projects).

The California Energy Commission (administration of ELDP reviews/certifications).

Local governments and permitting agencies (potential preemption/substitution of local permits and CEQA processes).

Interested stakeholders in CEQA review processes (environmental groups, tribes, utilities, landowners).

Procedural / timeline status

Enacted and chaptered: Approved by the Governor and chaptered as Chapter 372, Statutes of 2025 (Governor approval: October 6, 2025).

Legislative history: Introduced Feb 11, 2025; advanced through multiple Assembly and Senate committees and floor votes; final enrollment and presentation to Governor Sept–Oct 2025.

Conditional operative clause (Section 1.5 / Sec. 2): an alternate amendment to PRC §25545 becomes operative only if both AB 531 and SB 254 are enacted and AB 531 is enacted after SB 254 (and both effective by Jan 1, 2026).

Potential impacts / considerations

Enables geothermal projects to seek ELDP certification and associated CEQA streamlining, which may accelerate project review and reduce overlapping permitting requirements.

Could shift permitting authority or reduce local permitting discretion for certified geothermal sites.

The conditional lower investment threshold (if the SB 254 condition is met) would broaden eligibility for certain manufacturing/discretionary projects, potentially affecting industrial siting decisions tied to renewable energy supply chains.

Bill