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Federal Update

Geothermal in the FY08 budget

• The Energy and Water Appropriations bill which passed out of the House Subcommittee on 24 May 2007 included $44.3 million for the Department of Energy's (DOE) geothermal program for Fiscal Year 2008. This is the first step in the appropriations process for FY08.
  
  
• H.R. 2304 - Introduced by Representative Gerald McNerney (D-CA); cosponsored by Representatives Nick Lampson (D-TX) and Bart Gordon (D-TN) on 14 May 2007. The legislation, titled "Advanced Geothermal Energy Research and Development Act of 2007," authorizes $80 million per year for geothermal research for FY08 through FY12. Program costs would be shared with industry, and the McNerney bill would grandfather in two existing DOE geothermal demonstration sites in Nevada and California.
  
  According to the Geothermal Energy Association (GEA), the House Science Committee’s Subcommittee on Energy and the Environment is reportedly looking to schedule a vote on the legislation when Congress returns in early June from the Memorial Day recess.

Production Tax Credit extension

• S. 1370 - Introduced by Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) on 11 May 2007; cosponsored by Senators Gordon Smith (R-OR) and John Kerry (D-MA), the bill would amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to ensure more investment and innovation in clean energy technologies. The "Clean Energy Investment Assurance Act of 2007" would extend the renewable electricity production credit through 2013 and extend and expand the Clean Renewable Energy Bond program, among other initiatives. It has been referred to the Senate Committee on Finance.
  
  
• H.R. 197 - Introduced 4 January 2007 by Representative Earl Pomeroy (D-ND), the bill would extend the production tax credit for renewable energy, including geothermal, to 31 December 2014. Pomeroy said he would like to see the production tax credit it made permanent. The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Programmatic Geothermal Leasing EIS

• Environmental Management and Planning Solutions, Inc. (EMPS) is under contract to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and USDA Forest Service to assist with the preparation of a joint Programmatic EIS for Geothermal Leasing in the western United States. Public scoping meetings will be held in late June through July in various locations through out the West. For more information on the programmatic EIS, contact Jack G. Peterson, National Project Manager, BLM at (208) 373-4048 or Jack_G_Peterson@blm.gov.

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DOE issues proposed rules for Clean Energy Loan Guarantee Program

On 14 May 2007, the Department of Energy (DOE) issued new policies and procedures for the Clean Energy Loan Guarantee Program. Authorized by Title XVII of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the program will make loan guarantees for projects that "avoid, reduce, or sequester air pollutants or anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases; and employ new or significantly improved technologies as compared to commercial technologies in service in the United States at the time the guarantee is issued."

Title XVII identifies 10 categories of technologies, including Renewable energy systems, that are, by law specifically made eligible for a loan guarantee.

The loan guarantee program will be implemented through a series of solicitations. Solicitations may target specific technology areas or be general. Eligible projects must employ new or significantly improved technologies as compared to commercial technologies now in service.

Under the FY07 Continuing Resolution, Congress provided DOE with authority to issue guarantees for up to $4 billion in loans, provided the department completes the rulemaking process by 15 August 2007.

DOE requested guarantees for up to $9 billion in loans in its FY08 budget request: $4 billion in loans for biofuels and clean transportation fuels projects, and $1 billion in loans for projects using new technologies for electric transmission facilities or renewable power generation systems.

A public meeting on the proposed rules will be held on 15 June 2007.

Public comment on the proposed rules will be accepted until 2 July 2007.

For more information.

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New geothermal regs effective 1 June 2007

The Final Rules on Geothermal Resource Leasing and Geothermal Resources Unit Agreements which regulate geothermal energy production on public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Minerals Management Service (MMS) go into effect on 1 June 2007.

The rules, which were written in response to the Energy Policy Act of 2005, mandate comprehensive changes to leasing and royalty policies to encourage geothermal energy use without imposing additional administrative burdens on industry or government agencies. The new rules require competitive leasing for geothermal development rights on nearly all federal lands designated for this type of development. If no bids are received, these resources would be available for leasing on a non-competitive basis for two-year periods.

The revamped MMS's regulations offer an easy-to-use fee schedule (in lieu of royalties) for the direct use of geothermal resources that provides incentives to encourage the development and expansion of this alternative energy source. The MMS rules also simplify the royalty calculations for electrical generation leases by basing royalties on a percentage of gross proceeds from the sale of electricity. This would reduce industry’s administrative costs to comply.

The law mandates that 25 percent of the royalties from geothermal production be paid to the counties where the production occurs, increasing those local governments’ revenues initially by $4 million a year. MMS began making direct payments to counties shortly after the law was signed.

The BLM currently administers about 423 geothermal leases; 55 of those are producing geothermal energy, including 34 power plants. The bureau has been expediting the application process for geothermal leases, issuing almost 300 leases since 2001, compared to 20 leases from 1996-2001.

In addition, BLM is in the final stages of completing a new geothermal lease form for the Energy and Policy Act Leases and modifying the LR2000 land record data base to accommodate changes in geothermal regulations (new lease case types and action codes).

For more information, contact Kermit Witherbee, BLM National Geothermal Program Lead, Tel: (202) (202) 452-0385, Kermit_Witherbee@blm.gov.

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6 million American households to be powered by geothermal energy

A May 2007 survey issued by the Geothermal Energy Association (GEA) identified new geothermal power projects in Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. When developed, the projects would provide 2,500 to 2,900 MWe of new electric power capacity, roughly doubling U.S. geothermal power capacity to almost 6,000 MWe—enough electricity to meet the needs of about 6 million households.

"New federal and state initiatives to promote geothermal energy are paying off," commented Karl Gawell, GEA Executive Director. "State renewable standards coupled with the federal production tax credit are creating a renaissance in U.S. geothermal power production," he added.

For more information.

Today, nearly 3,000 MW of new geothermal power are under development, which will create over 10,000 new jobs and new investment of over $7 billion, but much more is possible. Paul Thomsen, Ormat Technologies House Science Subcommittee on Energy and Environment Testimony 17 May 2007

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"Less than 10% of the Earth's Geologic Energy is Visible."

Dear Editor:

Attached please find a photo of a newspaper bag that contained a recent edition of my San Francisco Chronicle. The design on the bag is awesome! In case you can't read all the words, it says, "LESS THAN 10% OF THE EARTH'S GEOLOGIC ENERGY IS VISIBLE." There are no other words or any form of advertising on the design, which is on both sides of the bag. I am very curious to learn the origin of this design. Perhaps one of your readers can enlighten us all.

Marilyn L. Nemzer
Executive Director,
Geothermal Education Office

Editor's note: If you have any clue as to whom is responsible for this geothermal-friendly newspaper bag, please contact the Editor.

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State Roundup

Alaska

For further information on geothermal in Alaska, contact: David Lockard Alaska Energy Authority Tel: (907) 269-4541 Email: DLockard@aidea.org

• Alaska is exploring the use of unmanned flying vehicles (drones) for geothermal resource exploration. Starkey Wilson is working with Lois Wardell of Advanced Ceramics Research to plan a drone flight over Akutan’s geothermally-active Hot Springs Valley in the summer of 2007.
  
  
• The Chena Hot Springs geothermal power plant was damaged by fire on 12 May 2007. There were no injuries, but the resort will operate on diesel power until the geothermal plant is repaired. The fire was caused by welding sparks.
  
  
• An Alaska Geothermal Working Group meeting was held on 25 April 2007 as part of the Alaska Rural Energy Conference in Fairbanks. Twenty-four people attended, and there was discussion of plans for studying geothermal potential at Manley Hot Springs and Pilgrim Hot Springs, as well as additional geophysical exploration at Mt. Spurr.
  
  The April 2007 Alaska Rural Energy Conference included a geothermal session, with presentations on statewide geothermal prospects by Amanda Kolker of Manley Hot Springs; opportunities for geothermal direct use and power generation by Joe Bourg; Chena chiller performance and opportunities for using UTC technology by Gwen Holdman of Chena Hot Springs Resort; and mineral extraction from geothermal brines by Mike Canty, DOE.
  
  
• The Alaska Energy Authority has received an unprecedented number of inquiries regarding geothermal energy development in recent weeks. The potential sites include Sitka, Kotzebue, Elim, Nome, and Nelson Island.

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Arizona

For further information on geothermal in Arizona, contact: Amanda Ormond The Ormond Group Tel: (480) 491-3305 Email: asormond@msn.com

• Beginning this fall, the Arizona State University Polytechnic Campus's Electronic Systems Department will offer degree programs in Alternative Energy Technologies. The new programs will produce students able to meet the demands of a new economy that relies on energy sources such as solar, wind, ocean, geothermal, and biomass, and is integrated with fuel cell and hydrogen economy infrastructure. According to the ASU website, "This is the only possible scenario to meet the energy demand decades from now and to reverse the potentially catastrophic effects of unsustainable living based on the overuse of fossil fuels."

• 20 June 2007 - The California Geothermal Energy Collaborative (CGEC) will host a kick-off workshop to focus on developing a comprehensive California Geothermal Development Plan. The workshop will be held at the Heidi Ag History Center in Woodland. The California Geothermal Development Plan will provide input to the California Energy Commission as it develops a new renewables road map. The registration deadline is 11 June. The fee is $35; late registration is $55. Seating is limited. For more information.
  
  
• Stanley, the BLM-California robot, identifies geothermal as one solution to the problem of "less available energy meets greater demand." Stanley notes that geothermal has minimal impact, is clean energy, and that almost everybody likes it. Funny.bytes is an occasional look at the lighter side of BLM issues. For more information.
  
  
  Stanley explains the benefits of geothermal energy.

Colorado

For further information on geothermal in Colorado, contact: Angela Crooks Governor's Office of Energy Management and Conservation Tel: (303) 866-2309 Email: angela.crooks@state.co.us

• 31 July-3 August - The 2007 Southwest Renewable Energy Conference will take place in Boulder. The leading-edge technical and policy conference on renewable energy development will feature a trade show and presentations by preeminent speakers on wind, solar, biomass, and geothermal energy.
  
  
• 19 October 2007 - The Colorado Geothermal Working Group will hold a day-long Investors' Forum in Montrose. Presentations will be made on policies, investment criteria, and opportunities in the areas of GeoExchange, low temperature applications, and electricity generation. For more information, contact Angela Crooks.
  
  
• On 16 April 2007, Governor Bill Ritter signed the Renewable Energy Incentives Act (SB 145), authorizing cities and counties to offer financial incentives to property owners who install photovoltaic systems, solar thermal systems, small wind and biomass systems, and geothermal systems.

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Hawai'i

For further information on geothermal in Hawai'i, contact: Priscilla C. Thompson Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism Energy, Resources, and Technology Division Tel: (808) 586-2353 Email: PThompso@dbedt.hawaii.gov

• A feasibility study of geothermal direct use published in February 2007 concluded that geothermal direct use in the Kapoho-Pohoiki area of Puna is presently marginally feasible. To create a successful geothermal direct use program, significant financial subsidies are needed to ensure economic feasibility; a stable source of heat from a future high temperature geothermal application needs to be identified; and legislative changes may be needed to redirect current County Geothermal Asset and Geothermal Relocation Program funds.
  
  The study analyzed a hypothetical 15-acre geothermal direct use enterprise park with a mixed use of tenants and a source of heat from a future high-temperature geothermal development. Waste heat from Puna Geothermal Venture (PGV) was not factored into the analysis due to planned power plant modifications. The four most promising geothermal direct use enterprises include greenhouses, pasteurization of potting media, biodiesel production, and lumber kilns. The study was prepared by Okahara & Associates, Inc. with support from DOE. For more information.

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Idaho

For further information on geothermal in Idaho, contact: Gerry Galinato Energy Division, Idaho Department of Water Resources Tel: (208) 287-4897 Email: Gerry.Galinato@idwr.idaho.gov

• News from the Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR) Energy Division:
  
  
  • Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter issued Executive Order No. 2007-05 on 16 May 2007 establishing a state policy regarding the role of state government in reducing greenhouse gases. The order recognizes that is incumbent upon states to take leadership roles in developing responsive state-level policies and programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, develop alternative energy resources, and use energy efficiently. Governor Otter directed the Director of the Department of Environmental Quality to work with all state departments and agencies in the greenhouse gas monitoring and reduction efforts in Idaho.
    
    
  • Governor Otter appointed Dr. Dave Tuthill permanent director of the IDWR effective 17 April 2007. Dr. Tuthil has served as interim director since January 2007.
    
    
  • The 2007 Idaho Legislature passed several bills, signed into law by Governor Otter, that affect geothermal energy development and utilization in Idaho. They are:
    
    
    • House Bill 230 – Increases the basic fees to help cover the IDWR's costs to review applications for geothermal production and injection wells; broadens the bonding ability of geothermal developers by allowing a wider range of financial instruments; and provides greater blanket assurance and flexibility to the department for well abandonment bonds.
      
      
    • House Bill 030 – Authorizes cities to participate as joint owners for power purchasers in joint electric generation and transmission projects. Now cities, particularly existing power providing cities, such as Idaho Falls, can sign long-term contracts for power supplies and production. This allows these cities another option to having to buy power on the open market, which can be very volatile.
      
      
    • House bill 154 – The "Energy Facility Site advisory Act" creates a system for cities and counties to request and receive information from state departments when they are considering an application for a permit to establish a new electrical generation facility.
      
      
  • On 27 April 2007, the IDWR taught 10 geothermal overview classes of approximately 120 sixth graders in Jerome during an energy fair.
    
    
  • According to a US Geothermal, Inc. press release on 23 April 2007, plant construction is proceeding on schedule and budget at its 13-MWe Raft River Geothermal Power Generation Project in southeastern Idaho. The plant’s construction is under the direction of Ormat Nevada, Inc., a subsidiary of Ormat Technology. For more information.
    
    
  • Ketchum city officials are interested in the geothermal potential in the Ketchum and Warm Springs areas. Ketchum Mayor Randy Hall has sought help from the IDWR Energy Division in conducting preliminary studies for potential geothermal projects and other activities. These projects are: (1) sidewalk snowmelt for the 4th Street Heritage Corridor, (2) development of Guyer Hot Springs for recreation and heating in the Warm Springs area, and (3) development of a geothermal strategic plan for the community.
    
    
• The Snake River Alliance hosted a renewable energy conference in Ketchum on 10 May 2007. More than 50 residents and local business people listened to experts in geothermal, wind, biofuel, and wind energy. Doug Glaspey, COO of US Geothermal, Inc. discussed the Raft River Geothermal Project (Source: "Valley gets glimpse of energy alternatives" by Jon Duval, Idaho Mountain Express, 11 May 2007).

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Kansas

No news.

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Montana

For further information on geothermal in Montana, contact: Kathi Montgomery Air, Energy and Pollution Prevention Bureau Montana Department of Environmental Quality Tel: (406) 841-5243 Email: kmontgomery@mt.gov

• The Montana Geothermal Working Group met on 15 May 2007 at Chico Hot Springs Resort and Day Spa . Speakers included Jeff Birkby, National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT); Roger Hill, Sandia National Laboratories; and Daniel Fleischmann, Ormat Technologies, Inc. Jeff Birkby's presentation, "Montana Hot Springs in History," was so well received that he was asked to repeat it on 11 June 2007 at the Montana Mineral Museum in Butte. Chico Hot Springs hosted the group and provided a tour of their greenhouse and gardens, which supply ingredients for the resort's three kitchens.
  
  
• Montana has a new geothermal website! The newly deployed Montana Geothermal Website contains a database of 50 known geothermal sites in the state, including temperature, water chemistry, and physical characteristics. It was developed with support from DOE's GeoPowering the West Program.

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Nebraska

No news.

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Nevada

For further information on geothermal in Nevada, contact: Christy Morris Program Manager - Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Nevada Division of Minerals Tel: (775) 684-7045 Email:clmorris@govmail.state.nv.us

• Nevada will soon have the only college campus in the world that is completely powered by geothermal energy. The Redfield Campus, in partnership with the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR); Truckee Meadows Community College; Desert Research Institute (DRI); the Regional Transportation Commission; Sierra Pacific Power; and Ormat Nevada, has the potential to become a world-class research facility in the field of renewable energy resources.
  

• Infinifuel Biodiesel is building the world's first geothermal biodiesel plant at the site of the state's first geothermal power plant. When running at full capacity, Infinifuel Wabuska, LLC. will produce five million gallons of biodiesel per year. Infinifuel has partnered with UNR and DRI to investigate the feasibility of local farmers growing oil crops including crambe, flax, sunflower, and even algae. For more information.
  
  
• On 2 May 2007, Raser Technologies, Inc. announced that it has received a permit from the State of Nevada to extract and reinject geothermal fluids sufficient to supply two 10 MW binary cycle geothermal power plants. According to Raser CEO, Brent M. Cook, "The timely award of this permit is consistent with our expected timeline for putting our first 10 MW plant into production in the first quarter of 2008. Our goal is to initiate the construction of approximately 100 MW of geothermal power generation capacity per year for the first three years after development begins and 150 MW per year thereafter." For more information.
  
  Raser and UTC Power, a United Technologies Company, have entered into a series of agreements for UTC Power to provide up to 135 PureCycle® geothermal power systems for three Raser power plants. In total, the systems will generate approximately 30 MWe. Delivery of the first 45 units begins in the fourth quarter of 2007 to the first of Raser’s three initial geothermal sites. UTC Power has also signed a service agreement with Raser for maintenance of these units. For more information.
  
  
• On 29 May 2007, Governor Jim Gibbons signed Assembly Bill 1 into law. Sponsored by Assemblyman John Marvel (R-Battle Mountain), the law helps small-scale geothermal energy plants, such as Nevada Geothermal Utility Co. which serves 110 homes in two subdivisions in Reno, earn renewable energy credits. It is effective 1 July 2007.
  
  Another bill related to geothermal energy has been re-referred to the Committee on Ways and Means. Assembly Bill 277, sponsored by Assemblyman John Carpenter (R-Elko), would provide a 50% property tax break for 10 years to a geothermal energy company that intends to locate or expand in Nevada. The business would have to invest $500,000 to $50 million in the state, depending on where it is located (Source: "Nevada lawmakers give geothermal energy a boost" by Amanda Fehd, Las Vegas Sun, 9 April 2007.)

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New Mexico

For further information on geothermal in New Mexico, contact: Michael McDiarmid New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Tel: (505) 476-3319 Email: michael.mcdiarmid@state.nm.us

• On 30 April 2007, GeoLectric Power Company NM, LLC announced the acquisition of Lightning Dock Geothermal, Inc. (LDG) from its previous shareholders. The acquisition of LDG includes substantial leases and existing geothermal wells within the Animas Valley, Hidalgo County, in southwestern New Mexico. It is anticipated that the 25-MWe LDG Project will be completed and in production by late 2009. The facility will be the state's first commercially viable, online, geothermal electric project. For more information, contact Jack Wood, Tel: (530) 269-0828, jackwood@gv.net; or Edward C. Fisch, Tel: (415) 515-9226, efisch@netwiz.net.
  
  
• The New Mexico Geological Society Spring Meeting in Socorro on 13 April 2007 featured 10 oral presentations—out of a total of 33 oral presentations and 29 poster presentations—in a special geothermal session that covered a wide range of aspects on the thermal, structural, and hydrogeologic features of the state's geothermal resources. Jim Witcher gave the geothermal keynote talk for the meeting; Fraser and Cathy Goff presented an invited presentation on the environmental and safety issues of geothermal energy. Almost 200 geologists, mostly from New Mexico attended the meeting.

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North Dakota

No news.

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Oklahoma

No news.

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Oregon

For further information on geothermal in Oregon, contact: Carel C. DeWinkel Conservation Division, Oregon Department of Energy Tel: (503) 378-6099 Email: carel.dewinkel@state.or.us

• On 23 May 2007, the State House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 838 mandating that renewable power sources including geothermal, provide 5% of the state's power sales in 2011, increasing to 25% by 2025. The bill has one major change from the Senate version, which passed in early April: electric cooperatives are required to meet a lesser standard of 10% by 2025. The bill heads back to the Senate for another vote before heading to the Governor's desk.
  
  
• The Oregon Institute of Technology (OIT) in Klamath Falls was a 2nd Place Winner in the National Wildlife Federation's (NWF) first annual Chill Out Contest. Chill Out seeks to advance and celebrate the innovators of global warming solutions on college and university campuses all across the country.
  
  

  Toni Boyd of the OIT Geo-Heat Center traveled to Washington, D.C. to accept the award and participate in the NWF Chill Out Broadcast. (Photo: OIT Geo-Heat Center)

  Winners, selected from over 100 entries from colleges nationwide, received grant money and a feature in the Chill Out Broadcast on 18 April 2007. Geothermal water provides heat and hot water to the entire OIT campus of 650,000 sq ft, saving about $1 million annually. The campus administration is proposing to drill a well into a fault to generate 100% of the campus’s electricity and construct a geothermally heated greenhouse and aquaculture facility to train individuals.

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South Dakota

No news.

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Texas

For further information on geothermal in Texas, contact: David Blackwell Southern Methodist University Tel: (214) 768-2745 Email: blackwel@smu.edu Maria Richards Southern Methodist University Tel: (214) 768-2749 Email: mrichard@smu.edu

• 12-13 June 2007 - The upcoming SMU Conference on using oil and gas wells for energy production will feature speakers from across the U.S., France, and Australia. Five different types of technology regarding low and high temperature fluids will be discussed. For more information.
  
  
• The SMU Geothermal Lab hosted a booth at the 5 May 2007 "Live Green in Plano Expo." Maria Richards invited area Geothermal Heat Pump (GHPs) representatives to help out in the booth. Four area companies were able to assist. Having four competitors’ working side by side was educational and fun for all. The SMU Geothermal Lab booth was one of the busiest at the event!
  
  
  Left to right: Rick Horvath, WaterFurnace Distributor; Rick Wedow, Ace’s A/C Supply North-ClimateMaster Distributor; and Don Reeser, Solar A/C & Heating, Inc. Not pictured: Jimmy Gaffney, Earth Tech. (Photo: SMU Geothermal Lab)
  
  
• Recent SMU Geothermal Lab activities:
  
  
  • Maria Richards made a presentation on geothermal energy potential in Matagorda County at the Texas Resource Management Commission meeting on 15 May 2007. Richards reviewed geopressure and oil/gas wells for future use as an energy source for Austin Energy.
    
    
  • Jack Johnson of AET Air and Geothermal was the guest speaker for the 18 April 2007 meeting of the Texas State Agency Energy Advisory Group (SAEAG) in Austin. Jack spoke on using geothermal heat pumps in schools and commercial buildings.
    
    
  • Regions 6 and 7 of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are working with the Blue Skyways Collaborative to incorporate geothermal projects as one of the choices available to companies which are not meeting the air pollution requirements. For more information, contact James Yarbrough, EPA, at Tel: (214) 665-7232, Yarbrough.james@epa.gov.
    
    
  • Events SMU has participated in:
    
    • Sierra Club - Step it UP! White Rock Lake, Dallas; 14 April 2007
      
    • Texas Alliance of Energy Producers (EXPO & Meeting),Wichita Falls; 25-26 April 2007
      
    • Live Green in Plano Expo, Plano Centre; 5 May 2007
      
    • Dallas Green Home Tour, 26 May 2007
      
      
• The Texas House of Representatives adopted new legislation to ensure the development of 500 MWe of non-wind renewable energy, including geothermal, by 2015. The legislation, which was included as an amendment to Senate Bill 483, mirrors House Bill 1214.

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Utah

For further information on geothermal in Utah, contact: Bob Blackett Senior Geologist, Utah Geological Survey Tel: (435) 865-9035 Email: robertblackett@utah.gov

• In April, Raser Technologies, Inc. secured eight geothermal leases totaling 9,889 acres in Central Utah. Oil and gas wells in the area encountered hot water at temperatures usable for power generation. The new leases bring the total land Raser has under lease in Utah to 28,091 acres. For more information.
  
  
• The Utah State Energy Program (SEP) held a series on stakeholder input meetings in late April to help draft new rules governing Utah Renewable Energy System Tax Credits, as re-authorized and expanded by SB 223. SB 223 made several significant changes to the tax credit program which apply to geothermal energy:
  
  
  • Expands the list of eligible technology types for residential systems to include direct use geothermal and ground source heat pumps.
    
    
  • Expands the list of eligible technology types for commercial systems to include geothermal electricity, direct-use geothermal, and ground source heat-pumps.
    
    
  • Creates a production tax credit for geothermal systems that produce electricity and have nameplate capacities of 660 kilowatts or greater. The credit amount is 35¢/kWh of electricity produced during the first four years that a system is in operation. There is no maximum credit amount.
    
    
  For more information.

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Washington

For further information on geothermal in Washington, contact: Gordon Bloomquist Geothermal, Hydrothermal and Integrated Energy Systems Washington State University Tel: (360) 956-2016 Email: bloomquistr@energy.wsu.edu

• On 3 May 2007, Governor Christine Gregoire signed a bill mandating that the state cut its greenhouse gas emissions to half its 1990 levels over the next 40 years. Effective 22 July 2007, the law prohibits the state from entering into long-term contracts with coal-fired power plants that produce greenhouse gas emissions. The governor, in signing Senate Bill 6001 into law, said, "We are saying that, here, in this Washington, no more delay, no more doubt, no more excuses. Today, together, we take action."
  
  
• The Washington State University, Energy Program has digitized much of the geothermal work conducted and publications issued since the mid-1970s. For more information, contact Gordon Bloomquist.

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For further information on geothermal in Wyoming, contact: Ed Werner Business Development Director, Converse Area New Development Organization Tel: (307) 358-2000 Email: ewerner@candowyoming.com

No news.

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The Geothermal biz.com newsletter is produced with support from the U.S. Department of Energy, Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Geothermal Technologies Program. Neither the U.S. Government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the U.S. Government or any agency thereof. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the U.S. Government or any agency thereof.

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