The Timeline

Modoc County Board of Supervisors have had direct communications with ORMAT for years.

August 27, 2024- BOS meeting, Administrative Services Reports, “Meeting with Ormat Technologies Inc. regarding permitting for geothermal”. Supervisor Coe reported, “...Meeting with Ormat Technologies Inc. staff regarding geothermal…and Morning Rotary meeting with Ormat Technologies Inc”. Supervisor Staff reported, "attended the presentation from Ormat Technologies Inc. regarding their interest in geothermal in Surprise Valley at the Sunrise Rotary meeting.

July 22, 2025- BOS meeting minutes share, “Presentation by Presentation by ORMAT Technologies Inc. Regulatory Affairs Manager, Scott Nichols, regarding status update of proposed geothermal activities. ORMAT Technologies Inc. Regulatory Affairs Manager, Scott Nichols, provided a presentation on the following: 1) Safe Harbor Statement and Non-GAAP Metrics; 2) Modoc County and Surprise Valley update; 3) Geothermal systems and power generation; 4) Power generation; 5) Capacity factors; 6) Community comments; 7) Vertically integrated geothermal development; 8) Development process; 9) Development status; 10) Questions and Comments. A lengthy discussion was held, and several questions were asked of Mr. Nichols.”

August 12, 2025- BOS meeting minutes.  Supervisor Coe reports, “Meeting with Scott Nicholas from Ormat”

March 10, 2026,  Ormat hosts Town Hall in Cedarville. 

First public session for SV residents.

March 10, 2026- BOS meeting minutes, “ Ormat Technologies representative, Scott Nichols, provided comments on Ormat's exploration interests North of Lake City and planning efforts for potential geothermal exploration. Nichols reported on an application that Ormat would be filing with the Planning Department for three or four exploration wells. Nichols reported that there would be a community update to the Surprise Valley Chamber of Commerce.

SV residents request to be on BOS agenda 3 times, are denied 3 times.

April-June: SV residents request to be on BOS agenda 3 times, are denied 3 times. Numerous residents attend BOS meetings to share their questions and concerns for the limited 3 min public comment period

  • Request under Public Records Act for detailed ORMAT permit documents met with insufficient response. Lawsuit filed.

July 1, 2026- Modoc County released the Draft Initial Study/Proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) for the proposed Surprise Valley Geothermal Exploration Project (UP 2025-02) for review.

  • SV Advisory members raising awareness throughout Surprise Valley

  • Collecting letters from experts to submit to Planning Dept & BOS

  • July 28- Met with Sean Curtis of the Planning commission- requested a 30 day extension

August 11- Town Hall

  • Secured legal council specializing in CEQA

  • Rallying residents of the valley to send letters protesting specific aspects of the CEQA document.

  • Fundraising to pay legal council

August 31- Public comments close at 5:00 p.m.

After the Public Comment period closes, the County's Planning Commission will hold a public hearing and decide whether to adopt the MND (or, if enough evidence is raised, require an EIR instead). If the Commission adopts the MND, the County files a "Notice of Determination," which starts a strict 30-day clock for anyone to legally challenge that decision in court.