Chevron and Edison have agreed to a joint venture.

Chevron reported that it has agreed with Southern California Edison to develop a geothermal power plant in Beowawe, Nev., about 200 miles northeast of Reno. The 15-megawatt plant will be a joint project of subsidiaries of Chevron and Southern California Edison and will produce enough electricity to supply a town of about 15,000 people, Chevron said. Beowawe is a potentially rich source of geothermal energy. Exploration began at the site in the 1950s, with Chevron drilling its first well in the area in 1974. The plant, which will be owned by a partnership called Beowawe Geothermal Power, is expected to be ready for operation by year-end.