Existing law gives the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission exclusive jurisdiction to certify the construction of thermal powerplants and exempts certain projects with generating capacities of up to 100 megawatts from certification if there are no substantial environmental or energy resource impacts. This bill would extend the exemption to thermal powerplants using geothermal resources, with capacities of up to 150 megawatts, until January 1, 2030, and apply it to modifications that do not exceed 150 megawatts. It would also make the local government agency with jurisdiction over the site the lead agency for environmental review under CEQA for exempted geothermal projects.