June 29, 1999


Salton Sea Brine Processing L.P.
Salton Sea Power Generation L.P.
Fish Lake Power L.L.C.
Vulcan Power Company
CalEnergy Operating Corporation
Salton Sea Funding Corporation
Salton Sea Royalty LLC
VPC Geothermal LLC
San Felipe Energy Company
Conejo Energy Company
Niguel Energy Company
Vulcan/BN Geothermal Power Company
Leathers, L.P.
Del Ranch, L.P.
Elmore, L.P.
CE Turbo LLC
CE Salton Sea, Inc.
CalEnergy Minerals LLC
Salton Sea Minerals Corp.

302 South 36th Street, Suite 400
Omaha, Nebraska  68131

          Re:    Registration Statement on Form S-4


Ladies and Gentlemen:

        We have acted as special Nevada counsel to Vulcan Power Company, a
Nevada corporation ("VPC"), and Vulcan/BN



June 29, 1999
Page 2

Geothermal Power Company, a Nevada general partnership ("Vulcan") in connection
with the filing of a Registration Statement on Form S-4 (the "Registration
Statement"), under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), covering
the offer to exchange all 7.475% Senior Secured Series F Bonds due November 30,
2018 for 7.475% Senior Secured Series F Bonds due November 30, 1999 which have
been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended by Salton Sea
Funding Corporation, a Delaware corporation, and also covering VPC and Vulcan's
guarantee of the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest in
the Securities.

        This Opinion is rendered pursuant to the registration requirements of
the Act, and the regulations promulgated thereunder (including 17 CFR
229.601(b)(5)). All capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined have
the meanings assigned to them in the Registration Statement.

        In connection with this Opinion we have examined a Good Standing
Certificate for VPC from the Nevada Secretary of State, dated May __, 1999, and
the Vulcan Partnership Agreement certified on the date hereof by the general
partners of Vulcan. We have assumed the authenticity of all documents submitted
to us as originals, the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of
natural persons and the conformity to originals of all copies of all documents
submitted to us. We have relied upon the certificates of all public officials
and corporate officers with respect to the accuracy of all matters contained
therein.

        Based upon and subject to the foregoing, and the qualifications,
limitations, exceptions and assumptions set forth below, it is our opinion that:

        1. VPC is duly incorporated and validly existing and in good standing
under the laws of the State of Nevada.

        2. Vulcan has been duly formed and is validly existing under the laws of
the State of Nevada.

        Nothing herein shall be deemed an opinion as to the laws of any
jurisdiction other than the State of Nevada.



June 29, 1999
Page 3


        This Opinion is intended solely for your use in connection with the
transaction(s) covered hereby. It may not be relied upon by any other person or
for any other purpose, or reproduced or filed publicly by any person, without
the written consent of this firm. We disclaim liability as an expert under the
securities laws of the United States or any other jurisdiction. We consent to
being named in the Registration Statement and related Prospectus as counsel who
are passing upon the due incorporation and good standing of VPC, and the due
formation and valid existence of Vulcan, as each of the same relates to the
legality of the Partnership Guarantee by VPC and Vulcan. We hereby consent to
your filing copies of this Opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement
or any amendment thereto.

                                               Sincerely,

                                              /s/ Lionel Sawyer & Collins

                                                  LIONEL SAWYER & COLLINS