Local Roots, Global Impact

For more than 35 years, Coso Operating Company has operated 24/7, generating renewable energy day and night. This continuous supply is a game-changer, especially during those peak evening hours when energy demand soars and the sun is no longer shining. The reliable, baseload power that geothermal provides is a low-risk, low-emission energy source that plays a huge role in clean energy.

Here at Coso, we put that non-stop energy into practice not only at the power plant but also by supporting local youth with annual scholarships and our staff with a robust training program. We take immense pride in building a skilled workforce for the future.

Our isolated location has molded us into a tight-knit family. For any new geothermal project, a huge takeaway is to create training programs, whether it be in-house training, partnering with the community college, or a nearby technical school. This ensures you have a steady pipeline of skilled workers—the welders, electricians, and mechanics you need to run a successful operation. It's a win-win: the community gets high-paying, long-term careers, and the plant gets a dedicated, well-trained staff.

Next is to partner with the local community. Our staff members are mentors, coaches, and leaders in the community. Our staff is active on local boards, coordinates highly in-depth tours of the plant, leads local chambers, and, simply put, are good neighbors.

When our community needs something, we show up. Whether it's new turf for a baseball field, food for backpacks, or a new scoreboard, we're there to help. After COVID hit and one of the local theaters was struggling, we came up with an idea: we'd buy enough tickets to keep them afloat and have local businesses give them away with purchases over $50. This not only brought much-needed revenue to local shops but also brought people together back in the theater once restrictions had been lifted. It was a huge lift for our economy and community.

Community engagement is about more than just having an open-door policy; it's about building a shared future. Our parent company, Atlantica Sustainable Infrastructure, shares this belief and continues investing in the next generation. Ultimately, the success of geothermal energy isn't just about the technology—it's about the people and the communities we serve.

This blog post was brought to you by the GR Workforce Success Group, as part of an initiative to highlight community outreach success stories in the geothermal community. We are committed to fostering a collaborative community to create a brighter future for Earth and all its inhabitants. If you are interested in supporting Workforce Success and want to get involved - reach out to Amelia Letvin at, amelia@geothermal.org  

Link to the Workforce Success webpage: https://geothermal.org/our-impact/workforce-success