I sent a letter to Chris Godley, head of the Sonoma County region for the State's Office of Emergency Services, about this idea that the Geysers provide most of Sonoma County's electrical power. I also gently ribbed him about appreciating our efforts in the area of home and individual preparedness...that our efforts have made his Sonoma County much more prepared overall for emergency scenarios than was ever the case before. Here is his reponse.

X-From_: CGODLEY@sonoma-county.org Fri Dec 17 17:03:49 1999 Delivered-To: jean@sonic.net Date: Fri, 17 Dec 1999 09:05:58 -0800 From: Chris Godley To: jean@sonic.net Subject: THE GEYSERS DELIVERY AREA -Reply Mime-Version: 1.0

Thank you for your interest and efforts.

The Geysers is the largest geothermal electrical generating field in California. Fourteen operating units produce a total of 700,000 kilowatts - the majority of electrical power used in Sonoma County. As to the exact areas served, you would have to contact PG&E for details on their transmission and distribution systems inside the County.

But of course, you are absolutely correct when it comes to preparedness - our communities must be as resilient and independent as possible when impacted by disaster. I am hopeful that the preparedness efforts that were undertaken in anticipation of Y2K will pay dividends for many years to come.

Best holiday wishes!

CHRIS GODLEY

_________

From the webmaster..If enayone can get a hold of a full description of the Geysers distribution system to Sonoma County I am sure we would all be grateful...Are some of you techies out there willing to take this

-- Jean Wasp (jean@sonic.net), December 21, 1999

Answers

Sonoma County? I thought that the geysers power was mostly owned by sacramento county even though it is located in sonoma.

-- michael meuser (meuser@enviroknowledge.com), December 29, 1999.