February 2004, Issue No. 9

New financing tool for small geothermal businesses available

Geothermal in President's FY 2005 budget

Energy Bill update

People on the move

What's Going On

Current Solicitations

Tell us what you think...

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President Bush released his proposed federal budget for fiscal year (FY) 2005 on 2 February 2004. The FY 2005 Budget Request for the Geothermal Technologies Program is $25.8 million—$19.75 million for Technology Development and $6.05 million for Technology Application. The FY05 amount is $300,000 more than the FY04 funding level but $2.6 million less than FY03.

The geothermal program was among the few in DOE's EERE Office whose budget was not cut. The Geothermal Energy Association and the Sustainable Energy Coalition, however, suggested $42.5 million as an appropriate level of funding for the geothermal program noting that one point, the geothermal research budget was over $150 million

At the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the budget includes $10.77 million of the mandatory $23 million for the Section 9006 Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Grant and Loan Program, and $15.5 million of the mandatory $40 million for USDA's "Value-Added" grants program which provides funding for new uses - including renewable energy - for agricultural products.

At the Department of the Interior (DOI), the President's 2005 Budget includes $1.7 million for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to facilitate the development of geothermal and wind energy resources on public lands, and "to administer 75 geothermal leases." It does not state, however, how much funding BLM's geothermal program will receive. (BLM's FY04 geothermal program budget was $1.3 million.)

The DOI budget also includes an $800,000 increase to enhance permitting of renewable energy development and processing of rights-of-ways for both renewable and non-renewable energy resources.

The proposed $920 million for the U.S. Geological Survey does not include a new geothermal resource assessment.

Correction: DOI's 2005 budget includes $500,000 for geothermal assessments (Source: Colin Williams, USGS, 5 March).

For more information: Budget of the United States Government, Fiscal Year 2005 website, DOE's EERE Office: FY 2005 Budget Documents website, DOI 12 February 2004 News Release, the Interior Budget in Brief.

Energy Bill update

Senate Bill 2095, a leaner $14-billion version of the original $31-billion energy bill which stalled in the Senate last November, was introduced to the Senate on 13 February.

Subtitle B, the "John Rishel Geothermal Steam Act Amendments of 2003" amended the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 (30 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.). Geothermal royalty incentives, both near-term production and National Environmental Policy Act reimbursement, are delayed to FY05 for a savings of $24 million.

According to Section 1301, "Extension and Expansion of Credit for Electricity Produced from Certain Renewable Resources, " a geothermal facility owned by the taxpayer which is originally placed in service after 30 September 2004, and before 1 January 2007 is eligible for a production tax credit of 1.8¢/kWh.

The bill was introduced under Rule 14; it will be immediately placed on the Senate calendar where it can be brought to the Senate floor for consideration at any time without the need to go through the committee process. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chairman Domenici is optimistic on the Senate prospects for the bill.

The bill is available in PDF format.

People on the move

Paul Dunlevy
Geothermal Program Lead, BLM
Retiring

We told him he couldn't, but he is. After 33 years with the BLM, Paul is retiring in mid-March. The following is excerpted from his retirement letter:

Susan Norwood
GPW Project Manager, DOE
6-month deployment to Baghdad, Iraq

Susan (and her husband, Phil Dougherty of DOE's Office of Wind and Hydropower Technology) accepted six-month details to the Defense Department to support the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) in Baghdad, Iraq. There are approximately 2,500 CPA staff, including civilians and military personnel.

Led by Ambassador L. Paul Bremer, CPA represents the coalition of countries assisting the Iraqis in reconstructing the country and building democracy. CPA works with a governing council of 25 Iraqis who were selected by Ambassador Bremer last year to lead Iraq to sovereignty on 1 July 2004.

developing local infrastructure project, is very similar to what GPW seeks to do: Provide the information and tools for local communities to make their own decisions about their energy-future, hopefully one in which geothermal is a large part. Typical work hours are 7 AM to 9 PM. In their scant off hours, Susan and Phil sleep on bunk beds in Saddam's throne room with more than 200 of their closest friends. They are on a long waiting list for a trailer. Susan is really enjoying this assignment, despite the somewhat Spartan living conditions, and is looking forward to returning to GPW in August.

Susan with Secretary Rumsfeld

While Susan is in Iraq, Jay Nathwani, Senior Geothermal Projects Manager, in DOE's Golden office, is managing GPW, with support from Roger Hill, Technical Director, Sandia National Laboratories.

For more information on the CPA, see: http://iraqcoalition.org.

We all wish Susan and Phil success in their work and a safe return.

What's Going On

• 27 February
  Greening Your Bottom Line With GeoExchange
  Two Rivers Convention Center
  Grand Junction, CO
  PDF brochure
  
  
• 27-28 February
  Drilling Technology Seminar
  Albuquerque , NM
  Email: Gene Polk at gene.polk@worldnet.att.net
  
  
• 1-3 March
  POWER-GEN Renewable Energy
  Las Vegas, NV
  Website
  Geothermal Energy Association (GEA) members receive a $50.00 if they identify themselves as GEA members when registering.
  
  
• 3-4 March
  Science-Engineering-Technology Congressional Visits Day
  Washington, D.C.
  Website
  
  
• 5 March
  Presentation on the Valles Caldera
  by Dr. Fraser Goff, Los Alamos National Laboratory
  Open to the public
  Tel: Marty Peale, Coordinator, Valles Caldera Coalition, 983-0841
  
  
• 9 March
  Free USDA Farm Bill (Section 9006) Grant Writing Workshops
  for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Projects in Utah
  Cedar City and Price, UT
  Website
  
  
• 10 March
  Free USDA Farm Bill (Section 9006) Grant Writing Workshop
  for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Projects in Utah
  Salt Lake City, UT
  Website
  
  
• 11 March
  Geothermal Direct Use 101 Webcast
  Presented by the Dr. John Lund of the Geo-Heat Center with Bob Lawrence & Associates, Inc.
  Pre-registration required
  Website
  
  
• 17-18 March
  World Resources Institute's Sustainable Enterprise Summit
  Washington, D.C.
  Website
  
  
• 18 March
  Idaho Geothermal Energy Working Group Mini-Workshop and Meeting
  Boise, ID
  Contacts: Dayna Ball, Tel: (208) 327-7960, or dmball@idwr.state.id.us, or K.T. Hanna, Tel: (208) 327-7978, or khanna@idwr.state.id.us
  
  
• 22-23 March
  Arizona Geothermal Work Group Meeting
  Flagstaff, AZ
  Email: Amanda Ormond at asormond@msn.com
  
  
• Week of 22 March (TBD)
  National Geothermal Collaborative Steering Committee Teleconference
  Email: Kathleen Rutherford, RESOLVE, Inc., at krutherford@resolv.org
  
  
• 25-26 March
  Western States Geothermal Conference: Design, Installation and Marketing
  Sacramento, CA
  Website
  Effort by the U.S. Department of Energy and National Ground Water Association to train drilling contractors on installing ground water heat pump boreholes and wells
  
  
• 30 March-1 April
  Electric Power 2004
  Baltimore, MD
  Website
  
  
• 5-6 April
  Well Drilling & Geothermal Heat Pump Business
  Nashville, TN
  Website
  Sponsored by The Tennessee Valley Authority and the U.S. Department of Energy to train drilling contractors on installing ground water heat pump boreholes, marketing, and sales
  
  
• 13-14 April
  Colorado Wind & Distributed Energy:
  Renewables for Rural Prosperity Conference 2004
  Colorado Springs, CO
  Website
  

• 14-16 April
  Western Governors' Association
  North American Energy Summit
  Albuquerque, NM
  Website
  
  
• 18-21 April
  American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) Annual Meeting
  Poster session: "New Advances in Geothermal Energy"
  Dallas, TX
  Website
  
  
• 19-22 April
  National Tribal Environmental Council 11th National Conference:
  Conserving Harmony in Creation; Empowering Tribal Nations
  Pricing will increase after 27 February
  Myrtle Beach, SC
  Website
  
  
• 22-23 April
  Tribal Energy Conference
  Las Vegas, NV
  Website
  
  
• 5-6 May
  Sustainable Energy Solutions 2004 Conference
  Denver, CO
  Brochure (PDF)
  
  
• 5-7 May
  24th Annual Utility Energy Forum
  Granlibakken Conference Center
  Tahoe City, CA
  Website
  
  
• 12 May (tentative)
  New Mexico Geothermal Energy Working Group Meeting
  Santa Fe, NM
  Email: Brian K. Johnson; New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department; at bkjohnson@state.nm.us
  
  
• 18-24 May
  39th Forum on the Geology of Industrial Minerals
  Reno, NV
  Website
  
  
• 29-31 May
  World Council For Renewable Energy
  Second World Renewable Energy Forum: Global Benefits and Policies
  Bonn, Germany
  Website
  
  
• 5-9 June
  Gulf Rocks 2004: Rock Mechanics Across Borders & Disciplines
  Houston, TX
  Website
  
  
• 8 June
  Sustainable Energy Coalition Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Expo
  Washington, D.C.
  Email: Ken Bossong, Sustainable Energy Coalition, at kbossong@hotmail.com
  
  
• 10-11 June (tentative)
  Alaskan Geothermal Trade Mission to Nevada
  Reno, NV
  Email: Bernie Smith, Alaska Energy Authority, at BSmith@aidea.org, or John Snow, Nevada Division of Minerals, at jsnow@govmail.state.nv.us
  
  
• 22-24 June
  Council of Energy Resource Tribes (CERT) and Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians-Economic Development Corporation (ATNI-EDC) have joined efforts to bring the Northwest Tribes information, solutions and strategies to address potential, economically viable, tribal energy projects.
  "Save the Date" brochure (PDF)
  
  
• 10 August (tentative)
  Alaska Geothermal State Working Group Meeting
  Email: Bernie Smith, Alaska Energy Authority, at BSmith@aidea.org
  

• 28 August-3 September
  World Renewable Energy Congress (WREC VIII)
  Denver, CO
  Website
  
  
• 29 August-1 September
  Geothermal Resources Council Annual Meeting
  and Geothermal Energy Association Trade Show
  Palm Springs, CA
  Website
  
  
  
  
• 24-29 April 2005
  World Geothermal Congress
  Antalya, Turkey
  Website

State Roundup

Send your news, events, etc. to the Editor.

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National

• PacifiCorp has issued the "Renewable Resource Request for Proposals," or RFP 2003B, to acquire up to 1,100 MW of new renewable resources in six states in the next seven years. In Oregon, Washington, and Northern California, PacifiCorp is seeking 100 MW by 2005, 200 MW by 2007, and an additional 200 MW by 2009. In Idaho, Utah, and Wyoming, the firm is seeking 200 MW annually in 2006, 2008, and 2010. While PacifiCorp expects most of the proposals to be for wind-generated electricity, eligible renewables include geothermal. The deadline for bids is 2:00 PM, 9 March 2004.
  
  
• The BLM has a backlog of 230 requests for geothermal energy exploration, some dating back to former President Clinton's first term, agency officials said on 27 January at a meeting at BLM's Nevada headquarters. Paul Dunlevy, BLM Geothermal Program Lead, said the backlog has been created by a lack of funding and a lack of interest from elected officials. "Geothermal doesn't get much because we're not high on the food chain," he said. According to Dunlevy, BLM's goal is to clear the backlog in two to three years by processing about 100 applications annually. The BLM receives some 50 requests yearly.

  There were 400 geothermal leases on all BLM-managed land in 2002, an increase of more than 100 over 2001. A request for more federal funding for geothermal energy exploration is included in the stalled energy bill (Source: Tom Gardner, AP/ Las Vegas Sun, 28 January 2004).
  

• The Geothermal Resources Council (GRC) 2004 Annual Meeting and Technical Program Committees has issued a Call for Papers for geothermal professionals worldwide to submit papers for review and possible inclusion in the Technical and/or Poster sessions. Draft technical papers are due 16 April; final papers are due 28 May. For more information, see the GRC 2004 Annual Meeting webpage.
  
  
• The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) launched a new Tribal Energy Program website to support Native Americans interested in various aspects of energy independence and energy efficiency. The website includes information about projects undertaken by individual tribes and a variety of other topics.
  
  
• Native American communities will soon be provided with economic development assistance through a new entrepreneurial development initiative from the SBA. The Native American economic development initiative consists of consultation with tribal governments, participation in tribal sponsored economic development events, an outreach campaign for Native American entrepreneurs, and working with tribal colleges and Native American organizations to provide more accessible training for Native American small business owners (Source: SBA 26 January 2004 News Release (in PDF format).
  
  
• According to "New Energy for America" Jobs Report (in PDF format) issued in January 2004 by the Apollo Alliance, the U.S. could create 3.3 million new jobs and eliminate its dependence on foreign oil with an investment of $300 billion over 10 years in alternative energy sources. Such an investment would increase GDP by $1.4 trillion, save $284 billion in net energy costs, and more than pay for itself by generating $306.8 billion in increased Federal tax revenue. Named after President Kennedy's moon program, the Apollo Alliance—which includes labor, environmental, civil rights, business, and political leaders—aims to unify the country behind a 10-year program of strategic investment for clean energy technology and new infrastructure.
  
  
• Consumers in the Pacific Northwest have a new, reliable way to distinguish cleaner, high quality options when shopping for renewable energy. The Center for Resource Solutions recently released Green-e certification standards for renewable electricity options sold in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. The Green-e logo will appear next to certified renewable energy options that meet strict environmental and consumer protection standards set by stakeholders from the Pacific Northwest. For more information: Green-e website.
  
  
• Twelve states have funds to promote renewable energy and clean energy technologies. The Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA) is a non-profit project to provide information and technical services to these funds and to work with them to build and expand clean energy markets in the United States. The 12 states are California, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin.

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Alaska

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American Samoa

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Arizona

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California

• The California Energy Commission (CEC) Geothermal and PIER Renewables Programs released a Program Opportunity Notice on 31 December 2003. Up to $7.2 million is available in the Geothermal Resources Development Account (GRDA) and Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) funds for geothermal projects. Pre-applications were due 17 February; final applications are due 6 April. See the CEC Requests for Proposals website to download the Program Opportunity Notice and solicitation materials.
  
  
• The CEC, in conjunction with GPW, will hold a Geothermal Collaborative Meeting. The date has not yet been set. For more information, email: Curtis Framel, DOE-Seattle Regional Office, at curtis_framel@ee.doe.gov.
  
  
• The BLM hosted public meetings in early February to discuss development of land use planning alternatives for public lands in Northeast California and extreme Northwest Nevada. When completed, the alternatives will become part of draft Resource Management Plans (RMPs) and will guide land use decision making for the next 20 years. Environmental impacts of the planning alternatives will be analyzed in an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). For more information, contact BLM Public Affairs Officer Jeff Fontana at (530) 252-5332 (Source: BLM News Release, 23 January 2004).
  
  
• Southern and Northern California utilities identified several areas of interest related to geothermal development at two workshops held on 16 and 18 December 2003. Utilities indicated a desire for additional capital cost data and analysis to better understand regional and resource type impact on overall costs. They also expressed a desire for more analysis on transmission issues, impacts, and costs. Many of the smaller utilities were interested in procuring new renewable energy in small chunks. The Center for Resource Solutions, in partnership with GeothermEx, conducted the workshops. For more information, email Randy Manion, Western Area Power Administration at manion@wapa.gov.
  
  
• A magnitude 4.4 earthquake, the strongest since 1995 in the area, shook Lake County on 18 February at The Geysers steam fields. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the quake caused no major damage. Some residents believe the frequency of earthquakes has increased with the reinjection of wastewater. David Oppenheimer, an USGS seismologist, said there's no evidence quakes are on the increase at The Geysers. In fact, he said, it appears they are stable and possibly decreasing (Source: "4.4 earthquake in Geysers steam fields, rattles Cobb" by Glenda Anderson, Santa Rosa Press Democrat, 19 February 2004).
  
  
• Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) is one of five U.S. electric power companies which have answered World Wildlife Fund's Powerswitch! Challenge. SMUD committed to generating 20% of the electricity it sells from renewable sources of energy. For more information: World Wildlife Fund news release, 11 February 2004.

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Colorado

• By a bipartisan vote of 39-26, the Colorado House of Representatives passed House Bill 1273 on 9 February. The bill calls for a renewable energy standard of 500 MW by 2006, 900 MW by 2010, and 1,800 MW by 2020, and includes a 150% "multiplier" for renewable energy generated in the state's rural enterprise zones. The legislation only covers investor-owned utilities, Xcel Energy and Aquila, Inc.; rural co-ops and municipal utilities are exempt. The bill moved to the Colorado Senate for consideration on 12 February.
  
  
• The Montrose Board of County Commissioners awarded a $450,000 contract on 20 January to Par Mechanical Inc. to install a geothermal heating and cooling system at the 44,000-square-foot South Campus complex. Par Mechanical will work on the project with EnLink Geoenergy Services. According to Ron Durham, facilities and maintenance supervisor for the county, installation is expected to be completed in April or May. The system should save the county $30,000 to $40,000 a year. The geothermal system is funded by $300,000 from a state Department of Local Affairs grant and $150,000 from the county (Source: "County awards bid for geo-thermal system to Montrose-based company" [in PDF format] by Scott Schwebke, Montrose Daily Press, 21 January 2004).
  
  
• Governor Bill Owens, NREL, and BP America announced a new energy education project, Renewable Energy and Efficiency Education on Wheels (RnE2EW), in early February. A customized van and trailer will bring renewable energy and energy efficiency education programs and information to teachers, students, and consumers at schools, special events, and public venues. For more information, email Matt Kuhn in NREL's education office at matthew_kuhn@nrel.gov.

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Hawai'i

• Renewable Hawai'i, Inc. issued a Renewable Energy Request for Project Proposals (RE RFPP) on 22 January for potential investment in cost-effective and operationally positive renewable energy projects on the Big Island of Hawai'i. For more information, see the Renewable Hawai'i, Inc. website. Proposals are due 22 April. This is the third such solicitation. Renewable Hawai'i, Inc. is currently evaluating proposals for Oahu, Maui, Molokai, and Lanai.

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Idaho

• The Idaho Geothermal Energy Working Group will hold a Mini-Workshop and Meeting on 18 March from 8:30 AM to 3:40 PM at the Owyhee Plaza Hotel in Boise. Agenda items include National/ Regional Geothermal Program Update including Federal Energy Bill, Legislative/State policy update, State/Local Geothermal Energy Projects, Geothermal industry updates, Special Presentations, and Sub-committee chair reports. For more information: Dayna Ball, Tel: (208) 327-7960, or dmball@idwr.state.id.us, or K.T. Hanna, Tel: (208) 327-7978, or khanna@idwr.state.id.us.
  
  
• Senate Bill 1296, "Geothermal Resources Permits," amends existing law to provide that the director of the Department of Water Resources shall not issue a permit for geothermal resources if he finds that the operation of any well under a proposed permit will decrease ground water available in any aquifer or other ground water source, or will unreasonably decrease ground water available for prior water rights in any aquifer or other ground water source of water for beneficial uses, with exceptions, unless and until the applicant has also obtained a permit for the appropriation of ground water." The bill was introduced in the Senate on 9 February.
  
  
• The Idaho Legislative Energy Interim Committee is considering draft legislation which encourages alternative energy sources, including geothermal. RSMPN508 provides an income tax credit for capital investment in qualified alternative energy generation equipment. Qualified projects would receive a 3% investment tax credit and an additional 3% income tax credit for qualified alternative energy generation. The credit in economically distressed counties would be 8%. Property which is not primarily used to provide energy in Idaho does not qualify.
  
  
• U.S. Geothermal Inc. (USGEO) increased its ownership interest to 75% in the Raft River geothermal property in mid-February. The company can acquire the remaining 25% interest for a final payment of $125,000 at any time prior to construction of the initial power plant. A well test program is expected to start in March. A $396,000-flow test program will be conducted as part of a DOE Geothermal Resource Exploration and Development cost-sharing grant. USGEO has initiated negotiations with Idaho Power Company for a power purchase agreement.
  
  
• Idatherm plans to begin drilling wells this spring southeast of Idaho Falls along the Bingham-Bonneville County line near Willow Creek. The 100-MW project will use 10 to 20 wells. The plant should be operational by the end of 2005, according to Carl Austin, Idatherm's exploration manager. The company is now completing an environmental study, and looking for utility companies to purchase the power. "[The plant] should be able to produce in terms of centuries," Austin said. "We think it's a good thing for Idaho" (Source: "Region may get energy plant - One planned for eastern Idaho, the other near Malta" by Ben Botkin, Idaho Falls Post Register, 5 February 2004).
  
  
• News from the Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR) :
  
  
  • Things are heating up in Lava Hot Springs. The University of Idaho is completing a cost benefits study for the community. A strategic plan for the resource is scheduled to be completed by July 2004. Lava Hot Springs is located about 30 miles southeast of Pocatello and approximately 150 miles north of Salt Lake City.
    
    
  • Energy Team members would like to repair the Chicken Soup Springs hydraulic head loss, which occurred after a flood in the 1960s, and hope that the Technical Assistance Program at Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Lab (INEEL) will help. IDWR staff presented the skeleton of a strategic plan they had drafted after the first Geothermal Energy Team meeting on 10 December 2003. It included technical expertise to define the resource, an outline of an engineering plan, private and public uses and rights of geothermal resources, securing grants and other funding, and the feasibility of supplying hot water to local residences.
    
    
  • Bob Neilson of the INEEL discussed GPW and Idaho geothermal energy resources, uses and potential at the second Geothermal Energy Team meeting on 14 January 2004. Dr. John Welhan (Idaho Geological Survey) and Dr. Jay Kunze (Idaho State University) are scheduled to speak at the February meeting.
    
    
  • The cost benefits study, technical study, and Energy Team meetings are being supported by grants from DOE. For more information email Ken Neely, Technical Hydrogeologist, IDWR, at kneely@idwr.state.id.us.

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Kansas

No news.

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Montana

No news.

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Nebraska

No news.

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Nevada

• Approximately 40 people attended a meeting held at BLM state headquarters on 27 January in Reno. BLM organized the meeting to let industry and government officials share their concerns and suggestions on how to develop geothermal energy for power generation. The group formed two committees to explore policy issues and technical matters and will meet again in May (Source: Nevada Geothermal Update, January 2004).
  
  
• Ormat's recent acquisitions have made it the third largest supplier of geothermally generated electricity in the U.S., after Calpine and MidAmerican. Last year, Ormat bought two geothermal plants and 50% of a third from the bankrupt Covanta for $214 million, ownership rights and lease agreement to the SIGC geothermal plant for $38.5 million, and the rights to operate and maintain Steamboat II and Steamboat III for $32.5 million. The Steamboat deal is scheduled to be finalized on 26 March. The acquisitions bring the total geothermal power plants owned and operated by Ormat and its subsidiaries in the U.S. to over 250 MW, with an additional 30 MW under development in Nevada.
  
  
• If all permits and approvals are granted according to schedule, Nevada Geothermal Specialists could have a 10-MW power plant online at Salt Wells by late 2005. Nevada Geothermal Specialists acquired two parcels containing approximately 3,800 acres at the Nevada BLM KGRA Lease Sale on 26 June 2003. They paid $17.25/acre for one parcel and $5.15/acre for the other. From 1981 to 1986, Texas oil company Anadarko Petroleum Corp. drilled 16 wells at Salt Wells, planning to get into geothermal power generation. The company pulled out of the business when it couldn't get any sales contracts (Sources: " Company looking to harness power of Salt Wells," by by Cory McConnell, Lahontan Valley News, 29 January 2004 and Nevada Geothermal Update, January 2004).
  
  
• Three researchers from the Great Basin Center for Geothermal Energy, University of Nevada, Reno, received best paper awards at GRC'as 2003 Annual Meeting: Greg Arehart, "Evidence for a Magmatic Source of Heat for the Steamboat Springs Geothermal System Using Trace Elements and Gas Geochemistry"; Geoff Blewitt, "Targeting of Potential Geothermal Resources in the Great Basin from Regional to Basin-Scale Relationships Between Geodetic Strain and Geological Structures"; and Mark Coolbaugh, "Geothermal GIS Coverage of the Great Basin , USA: Defining Regional Controls and Favorable Exploration Terrains". Papers are available in Word format.
  
  
• Several new Geothermal Leases have been filed with the Nevada Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The following information is provided courtesy of the "Nevada Oil Reporter." For more information on BLM leases in Nevada, see the website: http://www.blm.gov/lr2000 (Source: Nevada Geothermal Update, December 2003, January 2004).
  
  

  Non-Competitive Geothermal BLM Lease Applications, Pending:
  Signorotti, Stephen G.	East of Dixie Flats, Elko County
  Signorotti, Stephen G.	East of Dixie Flats, Elko County
  Western Geothermal Partners	Mineral County, near Hawthorne
  Western Geothermal Partners	Mineral County, near Hawthorne
  Western Geothermal Partners	Mineral County, near Hawthorne
  Geothermal BLM Leases Issued:
  Nevada Geothermal Specialists	Salt Wells (issued 11/03)
  Nevada Geothermal Specialists	Salt Wells (issued 11/03)

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• The next New Mexico Geothermal Energy Working Group Meeting will tentatively take place on 12 May, from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM, in Santa Fe. The New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) will report on the status of several DOE projects in New Mexico including the Geothermal Information Clearinghouse, Geothermal Outreach, and Geothermal Activities, and the proposed Geothermal Development Outreach and Education project. Please RSVP by 23 April. For more information and to RSVP, email: Brian K. Johnson, EMNRD, at bkjohnson@state.nm.us.
  
  

• The 2004 State Legislative session ended 19 February. Several bills relating directly or indirectly to renewable energy passed by the House and Senate and are awaiting Governor Richardson's signature.
  
  
  • House Bill 2 - General Appropriations Act of 2004 - Provides $500,000 to the EMNRD to establish a “Clean Energy Grants Program” for public-sector entities, including municipalities, counties, state agencies, public schools, colleges and universities, and Indian nations, tribes, and pueblos (see also HB 251).
    
    
  • House Bill 251 - Advanced Energy Technologies Economic Development Act - To stimulate the market for and promote the statewide use of advanced energy technologies, including renewable energy, including geothermal.
    
    
  • Senate Bill 43 - Public Utility Renewable Energy Rules - Establishes that investor-owned electric utilities meet a "renewable portfolio standard requirement" by having renewable energy comprise at least 5% of retail sales by 2006, increasing 1% per year and leveling off at 10% by 2011. Also requires utilities to offer "green pricing" programs, whereby customers can voluntarily purchase blocks of renewable energy. S.B. 43 essentially codifies in statute existing NM Public Regulation Commission Rule #573 for electric utilities. The bill was amended to address concerns about potential cost impacts on utilities and their customers.
    
    
• On 12 February, the New Mexico Oil Conservation Commission held a hearing regarding GeoProducts of New Mexico, Inc.'s Applications for Permits to Drill (APDs) filed in December 2003. The Commission concluded that, since GeoProducts does not have a surface use permit from the U.S. Forest Service or any other federal authority authorizing it to enter upon the federally-owned surface of the Baca Ranch for the purpose of conducting the activities proposed in the APDs, approval of the APDs for re-entry of the subject wells at this time is improvident. The Forest Service authorization process should take place before APDs are approved. For more information, see the Commission's order (Word document).

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• The Utah Wind Working Group is hosting a series of free grant writing workshops on applying for funding through the USDA Farm Bill (Section 9006) for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects including geothermal. Utahns interested in developing alternative energy projects will learn how to organize, write, and submit an application for funding assistance under the Farm Bill. The workshops will be held in Cedar City and Price on 9 March, and in Salt Lake City on 10 March. No fee or advance registration is required. The workshops are sponsored by DOE's Wind Powering America and GPW programs, the Utah Energy Office, and the Utah Clean Energy Alliance. For more information, see the Utah Energy Office Wind Workshop Sponsors webpage.
  
  
• The Utah Geothermal Working Group, the National Geothermal Collaborative, and the Geothermal Resources Council sponsored a one-day event, "Exploring Utah Geothermal Opportunities" on 20 January in Salt Lake City. For additional information and to obtain the presentations, see the Utah Energy Office Geothermal webpage.
  
  
• Utah's largest geothermal power plant, the 23-MW Blundell Power Plant located 14 miles northeast of Milford in Beaver County, set a generation record in 2003, producing 197,229 MWh of electricity. The previous record was 194,805 MWh in 1994. "More than anything else, the plant's great performance this past year can be attributed to the teamwork and individual efforts of the employees who work here," said Garth Larsen, Blundell Plant manager. For more information: "Utah's largest geothermal power plant sets generation record," PacifiCorp press release, 9 February 2004.

• The Washington State Legislature is considering two bills to promote the development of renewable energy in the state—HB 2333 and HB 2477. HB 2333 would require utilities to meet increasing standards for renewables (5% by 2010, 10% by 2015, and 15% by 2023) based on retail loads. HB 2333 includes a maximum renewable resource cost of 4.5¢/kWh. HB 2477 would make renewables standards voluntary, base targets on load growth, and offer tax exemptions and deductions as incentives. The target is 15% of incremental retail load growth within 5 years, 25% within 10 years , and 35% within 15 years. Geothermal is an eligible renewable under both bills.
  
  Representative Jeff Morris, chairman of the House Technology, Telecommunications and Energy (TTE) Committee, noted that there are three primary issues regarding the bills: mandatory versus voluntary standards, setting targets at retail loads or load growth, and renewables qualification. HB 2333 was passed to the Rules Committee for a second reading on 10 February. HB 2477 is still in the TTE Committee (Source: Con.WEB Issue 97, 30 January 2004).

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Wyoming

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The Geothermal biz.com Newsletter is produced by:
Bob Lawrence & Associates, Inc.
Liz Battocletti, Editor

345 South Patrick Street
Alexandria, VA 22314 USA
Phone: 703 836 3654 / Fax: 703 836 6086
http://www.bl-a.com

© 2002-2004 Bob Lawrence & Associates, Inc. All rights reserved.

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