FEDS TO OPEN WEST FOR GEOTHERMAL (DRILL, BABY, DRILL)

The U.S. is the world leader in electricity generated from geothermal sources with a 2,500+-megawatt capacity. Geothermal is ¼ of U.S. New Energy capacity. A recent U.S. Geological Survey assessment found the nation's western states have a known potential, using existing technology, of at least another 1000 megawatts and possibly as much as 5 times the present production, some 16,000+ megawatts.

The USGS also found estimated potential reserves of at least 7,900 megawatts of geothermal capacity and possibly up to 73,000 megawatts.

From the Assessment of Moderate- and High-Temperature Geothermal Resources of the United States Factsheet: “Conventional geothermal resources depend on hydrothermal fluid circulation that arises only with the convergence of high temperatures—due either to magmatism or other tectonic processes that elevate temperature gradients in the Earth’s crust—and permeability, typically fracture permeability produced as a result of active faulting…”

Think geysers. Think Old Faithful.

Through the use of enhanced technology now in development, the USGS study found the U.S. could almost certainly generate nearly 345,000 megawatts and possibly as much as 727,000+ megawatts.

The enhanced technology is called Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS). It is essentially drilling to release geothermal energy not naturally available at the surface.

From the Assessment of Moderate- and High-Temperature Geothermal Resources of the United States Factsheet: “Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) are geothermal resources that require some form of engineering to develop the permeability necessary for the circulation of hot water or steam and the recovery of heat for electrical power generation. Because exploitation of EGS resources incorporates the augmentation or creation of permeability in place, the presence of elevated temperatures at drillable depths is the dominant factor controlling the quality of the resource.”

Bottom line: The U.S. has geothermal resources that can be an important part of the New Energy mix in the western half of the country. The U.S. Department of the Interior (Interior) wants to see 5,540 megawatts of geothermal energy developed by 2015 and up to 12,000 megawatts by 2025.

Interior’s plan does not allow geothermal development on protected lands in national park lands, wilderness and wilderness study areas or national monument lands but opens other federally protected areas to permit requests. The plan also speeds the review process.

The Wilderness Society has approved the opening of some lands to geothermal development but is reluctant about speeding the plan’s approval or the subsequent environmental impact studies.

Not all environmentalists go along with the Wilderness Society. Geothermal sites are smaller than solar or wind installations but like all energy development require roads, power stations and transmission lines.

Daniel Patterson, Southwest director, Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility: "…we still have to consider, are our public lands there to be turned into energy farms? Or should we be investing in rooftop solar?"

Finally: Political activists wonder why the Bush Interior Department is so anxious to complete this process before the administration's tenure comes to an end.

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Interior’s energy push would open millions of Utah acres; The state already has two geothermal plants; a spokeswoman for the governor says the plan is a ‘positive move forward’
Thomas Burr, October 23, 2008 (Salt Lake Tribune)
and
Big plans for geothermal energy
Bettina Boxall, October 22, 2008 (LA Times)

WHO
U.S. Department of the Interior (Interior) (Dirk Kempthorne, Secretary; Jack G. Peterson, national geothermal project manager); U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM); U.S. Forest Service (USFS); Wilderness Society

WHAT
As detailed in Geothermal Resources Leasing Programmatic EIS, Interior will open more than 190 million federal acres for geothermal production in an attempt to boost domestic energy output.

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WHEN
- October/November 2008: The Interior Department allows a 60-day comment period for Governors of the affected 12 states.
- December 2008: The plan could be finalized before the end of the year.

WHERE
The 12 Western states included in the new proposal: Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Alaska
Hawaii, not included, completes the list of 13 states with geothermal production or potential.

WHY
- Interior hopes to add 5,540 megawatts of geothermal energy by 2015 and ~12,000 megawatts by 2025.
- Interior's plan: 190 million acres would be made available for geothermal development drilling leases, 118 million managed by the BLM and 79 million by the USFS.
- National Park Service lands, wilderness and wilderness study areas and national monuments are excluded from development.
- How much of the leased acreage will produce geothermal power is unknown.
- California is the U.S. leader in geothermal energy production. It has 6 long-established fields including the most productive field in the world
- Utah has two geothermal plants.
- Nevada is thought to have the most potential of any state.

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QUOTES
- Dirk Kempthorne, Secretary of the Interior: "Geothermal energy will play a key role in powering America's energy future…and 90% of our nation's geothermal resources are found on federal land…Because geothermal energy is replenished by heat sources deep in the Earth, it is a renewable resource that generates electricity with minimal carbon emissions."
- Alex Daue, Bureau of Land Management Action Center outreach coordinator, Wilderness Society: "A rapid transition away from fossil fuels is important but not at the expense of our clean air and water and our public lands…A more measured approach would be better for the public and our public lands in the long run."