Interior Department identifies geothermal opportunities in western U.S.

Petroleum News Staff

The Bush administration released a new report in mid-April that identifies opportunities for near term development of geothermal energy in the Western United States. Prepared by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the report lists 35 sites in 18 planning units throughout Nevada (10), California (9), Oregon (7), New Mexico (3), Utah (3) and Washington (3) that have high potential for near term geothermal development. Geothermal energy is not widely used in the United States, but the administration believes it holds the promise of a potentially clean energy source.