SACRAMENTO– Today, Assemblyman Jeff Gonzalez (R-Indio) announced that Assembly Bill 1031 has passed out of the Assembly Environmental and Toxic Materials Committee with bipartisan support. This important step brings California closer to aligning its hazardous waste regulations with science-based standards and expanding clean energy opportunities in communities like Imperial County.
“Geothermal energy is one of the cleanest and most reliable renewable resources we have—and it’s time California’s policies reflected that reality,” said Gonzalez. “By reducing unnecessary regulatory barriers, AB 1031 supports responsible energy development and helps position California for long-term energy reliability and economic growth—especially in regions that need it most.”
AB 1031 lowers burdensome fees imposed by the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) on geothermal energy developments and the bill aligns state law with federal policy while maintaining strong environmental safeguards and regulatory oversight.
AB 1031 offers a timely solution that supports both environmental progress and economic revitalization. In regions like Imperial County, where geothermal development and lithium recovery offer transformative potential, this bill removes critical barriers to innovation and investment.
With a local unemployment rate of 17.2%, Gonzalez emphasized that expanding geothermal infrastructure is about creating family-supporting careers in construction, engineering, and maintenance.
“AB 1031 delivers the tools we need to power California’s future with renewable energy—while ensuring communities like those in Imperial County aren’t left behind,” Gonzalez added. “This is a smart, science-based policy that balances sustainability with opportunity.”
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