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Governors in the Mountain West are pushing for increased geothermal development in their states.
At a recent annual meeting of the Western Governors' Association, Colorado Governor Jared Polis unveiled the latest report from the group’s Heat Beneath Our Feet initiative, which focuses on how to expand geothermal development in the West.
Geothermal resources are reservoirs of hot water that exist or are human made at varying temperatures and depths below the Earth's surface. Wells, ranging from a few feet to several miles deep, can be drilled into underground reservoirs to tap steam and very hot water that can be brought to the surface for use in a variety of applications, including electricity generation, direct use, and heating and cooling.
Experts say that nearly every Western state could tap into more geothermal power, with the potential to produce as much as five percent of the national electricity supply using existing technology. Currently, Nevada sources more than nine percent of its power from geothermal energy, while California approaches six percent.
However, like most energy sources, geothermal projects are not without controversy. A Tribe in Nevada has fought a proposed project that it fears will damage hot springs it considers sacred, while a geothermal plant in Hawaii has long faced community opposition due to noise and hydrogen sulfide leaks.
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We have a chance to rebalance BLM activities with this proposal. The BLM can realign its priorities to a model that prioritizes the public good over private profit. The Biden administration has heard from the public that we want public lands to be managed in a way that protects wildlife, watersheds, and our Western way of life. It is our chance to ensure that BLM protects those public lands that promote robust and healthy communities in the West.”
