The State - News from April 5, 1989

A sudden flash of natural steam with temperatures surpassing 600 degrees injured three workers at the Navy’s geothermal energy plant at the China Lake Naval Weapons Center, authorities said. Sam Berry of Cal Energy, the company that operates the 80-megawatt natural steam-driven facility, said the three men were engulfed by the steam while cleaning screens in steam lines. It was the first mishap at the new plant, which went into service Friday. George Wagner, 61, was in stable condition at Ridgecrest Hospital with first- and second-degree burns over 40% of his body. William Bridgham, 30, and Brian Cwetzig, 33, were treated and released. Steam at Coso Hot Springs, which powers the electricity generating facility, is measured in excess of 600 degrees. The geothermal project will eventually generate enough power to furnish electricity to 160,000 homes.