After more than two hours of public comment and presentations on Oct. 21, the Lake County Board of Supervisors decided not to adopt enabling documents to join Sonoma Clean Power Authority (SCP) as a community choice aggregator, instead directing staff to broaden outreach and return with options.

Sonoma Clean Power executives told the board that joining SCP would allow Lake County residents the choice to receive electricity procured by the public CCA rather than PG&E, and could give the county a seat at SCP’s board. Jeff Seifers, SCP chief executive, said a yes vote would provide the county access to SCP’s programs and allow Lake County to directly benefit from regional geothermal development opportunities.

Speakers were sharply divided. Proponents said a CCA offers local choice and potential savings, pointing to SCP’s record in Sonoma and Mendocino. “It’s a proven public model that offers competitive, transparent rates and invests its earnings back in its communities,” said Denise Rushing, a clean‑energy professional and former county supervisor. Opponents worried SCP would accelerate geothermal development that could affect local water, cultural sites and seismic risk, and questioned whether Lake County would have fair governance or sufficient negotiating leverage. “Sonoma Clean Power needs Lake County,” said Sterling; “Lake County doesn’t need them,” argued others.

County staff and supervisors emphasized competing priorities. Several members sought more time to compare offers from other CCAs and to understand governance, tribal engagement and how geothermal projects in the Geothermal Opportunity Zone (GeoZone) would be handled. At the end of the item, the board gave staff direction to continue discussions, to solicit offers from other CCAs, and to return with a plan — effectively pausing any vote. Sonoma Clean Power said it would continue community outreach and asked local officials to join SCP in public education efforts.

Ending: Supervisors endorsed continued investigation rather than immediate adoption, asking staff for a timeline and options so the board can compare CCAs and preserve options while the county explores how to protect local interests around geothermal development and tribal engagement.