October 2002, Issue No. 3

GRED II Awards Made

White House Renewable Energy Report Published

State Roundup
A summary of what is going on in the region as a whole, and the 19 states of GeoPowering the West

Current Solicitations
Money available from state and federal governments and private sources

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GRED II Awards Made

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has selected seven additional geothermal exploration projects to find, test, and define previously non-utilized geothermal resources under the Geothermal Resource Exploration and Definition II (GRED II) program.

The seven new GRED II projects offer a wide geographic and geologic diversity that will promote the development of geothermal resources in new areas and ultimately increase the amount of geothermal energy available for electric power generation. DOE plans to provide $3.5 million over the first two years, with additional funding in later years. The seven GRED II projects are:

1. Advanced Thermal Systems, Inc. will perform geophysical testing to site a well and then drill and test the resource at Fly Ranch Hot Springs, NV.
   
   
2. AmeriCulture, Inc. will complete a test well at Lightning Dock in the Animas Valley, NM.
   
   
3. Calpine Corporation will site and drill a test well at Arnica Sink near Medicine Lake, CA.
   
   
4. Layman Energy Associates, Inc. will apply geophysical methods to optimize well siting and then drill and test the resource at Truckhaven in the Imperial Valley, CA.
   
   
5. Noramex Corporation will drill a second exploration and test well at Blue Mountain, NV.
   
   
6. Northern Arizona University will explore the San Francisco Volcanic field in northern AZ for prospective geothermal sites.
   
   
7. U. S. Geothermal, Inc. will test and evaluate a geothermal resource at Raft River, ID.

White House Renewable Energy Report Published

The White House Report, "In Response to the National Energy Policy Recommendations to Increase Renewable Energy Production on Federal Lands," is now available. The interagency report, a collaboration of the Departments of the Interior, Energy, Agriculture, and Defense, describes activities completed, underway, and planned for the future. Proposed actions relevant to geothermal energy included:

• The US Geological Survey (USGS) will begin a new assessment of the geothermal potential of the Great Basin in Fiscal Year 2003. The Great Basin covers Nevada, western Utah, southeastern Oregon, California east of the Sierra, and southeastern Idaho. For more information, contact Colin Williams of the USGS in Menlo Park, CA, Tel: (650) 329-4881, Email: colin@usgs.gov.
  
  
• The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is committed to processing all pending geothermal lease applications by Fall 2003. BLM will begin processing all geothermal lease applications within 90 days of filing an application. The objective is to complete processing within 6 months of filing. For more information, contact Paul Dunlevy, BLM-Washington, D.C., Tel: (202) 452-7707, Email: paul_dunlevy@blm.gov.
  
  
• The usefulness of drafting a new Executive Order on increasing renewable energy on Federal lands will be considered.

The report is available in PDF format (3.8 MB) from the U.S. Department of the Interior's website, or click here.

State Roundup

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

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Regional

• 13-15 November
  International Energy Conference & Exposition
  Reno, NV
  Website
  
  
• 15-17 November
  NW Energy Coalition Fall Board Meeting
  Portland, OR
  Website
  
  
• 20-22 November
  US Environmental Protection Agency
  Fifth State and Local Climate Change Partners’ Conference
  Annapolis, MD
  Website
  
  
• The GeoPowering the West (GPW) State Summit was held in Reno, NV on 26 September. Nineteen representatives from ten western states were present: AZ, CA, HI, ID, NM, NV, OR, TX, UT, and WA. In addition to state representatives, personnel from DOE's headquarters and regional offices, national labs, Western Area Power Administration, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), universities, industry, and other interested parties attended the meeting. Discussion covered the GPW program, access to Federal lands, power generation, transmission issues, direct use, production tax credits (PTCs), and Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPSs). In addition, case studies on Newbury Crater and Glass Mountain were also presented.
  
  State representatives described the status of geothermal activities in their states, outlining their problems and issues. Much of the discussion centered on actions and approaches to address barriers to geothermal development in the individual states and region as a whole. Many ideas and activities were brought up that could be applied in several states (Source: Gerry Nix, National Renewable Energy Laboratory). For more information, email Roger Hill, GPW Technical Director, or Susan Norwood, GPW National Coordinator.

• Two reports prepared for DOE's Geothermal Energy Program are now available on CD-ROM:
  • 2001 University Research Summaries, Publication No. DOE/ID-11004. Click here to obtain in PDF format (9.8 MB).
  • Federal Geothermal Research Program Update Fiscal Year 2001, Publication No. DOE/ID-11023.
    

  For more information, see the Idaho National Engineering & Environmental Laboratory (INEEL) Geothermal Program website.
  

• INEEL, with assistance from local experts, is nearly completion of new geothermal maps for Utah, Washington, Oregon, and Nevada. Maps will also be done for Alaska, Arizona, Hawai'i, Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado. Maps have been completed for Idaho and New Mexico. For more information, contact Pat Laney at INEEL, Tel: (208) 526-7468, Email: ptl@inel.gov.
  
  
• The Geothermal Program Office (GPO) of the US Navy, has identified more than 25 locations on military controlled lands that are prospective for geothermal development in the continental US A thorough assessment of the full potential of those sites has recently begun, and is expected to be completed by the summer of 2003. The GPO oversees the exploration for and development of geothermal resources on lands which are under the control of any of the nation's military services. For more information, contact Frank Monastero, GPO, Tel: (760) 939-4046, Email: monasterofc@navair.navy.mil.
  
  
• The "Renewable Atlas of the West," is now available online. The atlas covers wind, solar, biomass, and geothermal resources in 11 western states (Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and
  Wyoming).. The atlas contains a wide range of data, including existing facilities, areas of transmission congestion, and updated power potential estimates. Sponsored by the Hewlett Foundation and The Energy Foundation, the atlas was created by the Land and Water Fund of the Rockies, Northwest Sustainable Energy for Economic Development, and GreenInfo Network. A hardcopy of the atlas can be purchased for $35.00.
  
  
  
  
• The Energy Information Administration (EIA) of the DOE is producing Renewable Potential Maps for each of the US Census Divisions and the states of Alaska, California, and Hawai'i. These maps present an integrated picture of renewable energy resources, including geothermal. In the Western US, EIA has completed maps for the West North Central Division (includes Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota), the West South Central Division (includes Oklahoma and Texas), the Mountain Division, the Contiguous Pacific Division, Alaska, California, and Hawai'i. Click on the desired division or state to view that map.
  
  
• Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) researchers, Mark Bolinger and Ryan Wiser, have completed a study on state clean energy fund support for renewable energy. To date, 15 states have created "clean energy funds" which will collect more than $3 billion over the next ten years to support renewable energy projects. The report, "Utility-Scale Renewable Energy Projects: A Survey of Clean Energy Fund Support," as well as other case studies and relevant information, can be downloaded in PDF format from LBNL's renewable energy publications website.
  
  
• According to a report recently issued by the RAND Corporation, the Pacific Northwest could use renewable energy and energy efficiency to replace 20% of the projected growth in natural gas power plants over the next 20 years, with minimal impacts on the region's economy. The RAND report looked at solar and wind power. It did not consider geothermal power, biomass, or advanced coal technologies. The report, "Generating Electric Power in the Pacific Northwest: Implications of Alternative Technologies," is available as a PDF file.
  
  
• The Harvesting Clean Energy website aims to build awareness of the benefits of renewable energy technologies for rural landowners and communities in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. Developed by Climate Works -- a nonprofit organization based in Olympia, WA -- the site features news and basic information on the use of bioenergy, geothermal energy, photovoltaics, and wind energy.
  

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Alaska

No news.

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Arizona

• Arizona recently formed a Geothermal Energy Work Group after a kickoff meeting hosted by DOE, Sandia National Laboratories, and Western Area Power Administration on 21 August. The Work Group will be led by Tom Acker of Northern Arizona University and Amanda Ormond of The Ormond Group. As a first task, the group will develop a work plan based on priorities identified at the kickoff meeting. Areas of emphasis may include: expanding the successful use of geothermal in the aquaculture industry, educating local officials and the general public about the benefits of developing direct use applications in rural areas, determining the viability of electricity generation, and working to engage a broad base of stakeholders -- including tribes -- to work on developing the available resource. For more information, contact Amanda Ormond, Tel: (480) 491-3305, Email: asormond@msn.com.
  

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California

• 28 October
  California Energy Commission Staff Workshop: Existing Renewable Resources Account, Customer Credit Renewable Resources Purchases Account
  Sacramento, CA
  Open to the Public
  Notice (PDF file)
  
  
• 1 November
  California Energy Commission Staff Workshop: Emerging Renewable Resources Account, Renewable Resources Consumer Education Account
  Sacramento, CA
  Open to the Public
  Notice (PDF file)
  
  
• The California legislature passed RPS legislation on 31 August which nearly doubles power production from renewable energy sources by 2017. SB 1078 requires utilities to purchase 20% of their electricity from geothermal, wind, solar, biomass, and small hydroelectric plants by 2017. Municipal utilities, including the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and SMUD, are exempted. The state currently produces about 12% of its electricity from renewable energy sources. Governor Gray Davis signed the bill into law on 12 September.
  
  
• In response to the increased RPS, California Public Utilities Commission Decision D.02-08-071 requires Southern California Edison (SCE) to solicit proposals to supply energy and, as applicable, associated firm capacity from eligible renewable power generating resources, including geothermal. For more information, Email RenewableProposals@sce.com . Answers to frequently asked questions are available on the SCE website.
  
  
• "Adventures in the Life of a Small Geothermal District Heating Project or 'The Little Project That Could'," by Dale Merrick of I'SOT, Inc. tells how a group of residents in Canby, California built a geothermal heating system to heat their community buildings. The author describes the three-year effort including fundraising, preliminary engineering research, and installation. The article is available in the Geo-Heat Center Quarterly Bulletin (September 2002).
  
  
• DOE has selected Calpine Siskiyou Geothermal Partners, Ltd. to develop and demonstrate new EGS (enhanced geothermal system) techniques at Glass Mountain. The company will develop stimulation technology to extract energy from reduced permeability zones under the ground. For more information, contact Jay Nathwani, DOE Idaho Operations Office and INEEL, Tel: (208) 526-0239, Email: nathwaj@inel.gov.
  
  
• The single largest geothermal plant in the world has moved one step closer to construction. CE Obsidian Energy, LLC, a subsidiary of CalEnergy Operating Company, filed an Application for Certification permit with the California Energy Commission (CEC) on 29 July 2002 for the Salton Sea Unit 6 project. The CEC found the project to be "data adequate" on 25 September, and has begun formal licensing.
  
  The 185-MW, $460-million Unit 6 project requires 10 geothermal production wells, 7 brine injection wells, a 161-kilovolt switchyard, and two electrical transmission lines, and is scheduled to begin operating in 2005. CalEnergy has a $2-billion, 20-year power sales agreement with the Imperial Irrigation District to buy 85% of the plant's total power output. The Salton Sea Known Geothermal Resource Area (KGRA) currently sustains 10 electricity generation projects, delivering approximately 326 MW of power. Unit 6 would bring the total to 511 MW out of a 680 MW proven reserve. For more information, see the CEC press release.
  
  
• The CEC released its Notice of Proposed Awards for the 2002 Geothermal Program Solicitation for projects that directly relate to geothermal research, development and demonstration, geothermal planning, or geothermal environmental mitigation. Of 12 proposals received, 7 grants totaling $5 million were recommended for funding. Successful applications were received from Northern California Power Agency, Coso Operating Company, Mammoth Pacific LP, Calpine Corporation, Electromagnetic Instruments, Weaverville Elementary School District, and GSY-USA. For additional detail, see the CEC Notice.
  
  
• Proceedings from the International Energy Project Financing Conference convened by the CEC Energy Technology Export Program 18 April 2002 in San Francisco are available on CD-ROM. The CD contains conference presentations, the Mexican funding sources report, attendee list, conference transcript, and photographs. For more information, contact Tambu Kisoki, Tel: (916) 654-4719, Email: tkisoki@energy.state.ca.us; or Jennifer Williams, Tel: (916) 654-4710, Email: jwilliam@energy.state.ca.us.
  
  
• The USGS will begin a new assessment of the geothermal potential of the Great Basin in Fiscal Year 2003. The Great Basin covers five states, including California east of the Sierra. For more information, contact Colin Williams of the USGS in Menlo Park, CA, Tel: (650) 329-4881, Email: colin@usgs.gov.
  
  
• About 30 American Indians ran 700 miles from Sacramento to the site of a proposed gold mine on BLM-managed lands in the Imperial Valley in late September. The run publicized the Quechan Tribe's call for the governor to sign SB 1828, which "would require local governments to notify a tribe of proposed construction within 20 miles of a reservation and protect from development sacred sites that tribes have used for generations." Gov. Gray vetoed the bill on 30 September, saying that the legislation gave the tribes influence over the California Environmental Quality Act process "that no other party, agency, or governmental body now has." The US Department of Interior has ruled that the claims on the proposed gold mine are valid, bringing development of the mine one step closer.
  
  
• Governor Davis signed AB 58, a bill that will extend the state's "net metering" law indefinitely on 24 September. Net metering laws allow individuals to generate their own power from renewable energy sources and feed excess power into the electrical grid, paying only for the net electricity they use over the course of a time period (usually a month, but sometimes as long as a year). The California net metering law applies to systems up to 1 MW. For more information, see the Governor's press release.
  

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Colorado

• 6 November
  Colorado Environmental Forum - Fall 2002
  Denver, CO
  Website
  
  
• 12 November
  Positioning Your Company to Access Capital
  Denver, CO
  Contact: Craig Cox, Tel: (303) 679-9331, Email: cox@newenergytechnologies.org
  
  Sponsored by the Colorado Coalition for New Energy Technologies (CCNET) and the Colorado Environmental Business Alliance (CEBA), this breakfast meeting will feature presentations by venture capital experts on how to access financing for energy and environmental businesses of all sizes. This briefing will take place at 7:30 a.m. at Racine’s Restaurant, 850 Bannock Street. Admission will be $15 for members of CCNET and CEBA and $25 for nonmembers. The cost of breakfast and all materials is included in the price.
  
  
• 3-4 December
  Carbon Conference
  Denver, CO
  Website
  
  
• The first meeting of the National Geothermal Collaborative (NGC) Steering Committee took place in Denver, CO on 17 July. The NGC works for the responsible development of geothermal power and direct use in the US For more information, contact Susan Norwood of DOE, Email: susan.norwood@ee.doe.gov, or Kathleen Rutherford of Resolve, Inc., Email: krutherford@resolv.org.
  
  
• Five county commissions and one city in the state have passed resolutions urging the
  state legislature to pass a renewable portfolio standard, according to Stephanie Bonin
  of the Colorado Public Interest Research Group. Bonin reports that the Counties of
  Baca, Crowley, Elbert, Lincoln and Prowers, along with the City of South Fork, have all
  passed resolutions supporting a renewable energy standard in Colorado (Source: Colorado Coalition for New Energy Technologies Update, 18 October 2002).

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Hawai'i

No news.

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Idaho

• 18-19 November
  Geothermal Trade Mission
  Reno, NV
  
  The Idaho Energy Division is organizing a geothermal trade mission to Nevada specifically slated for elected and appointed officials and staff to learn more about geothermal energy and how Idaho can benefit from its geothermal resources. Participants will tour two geothermal power plants and an onion drying facility in Fallon, and conduct roundtable discussions with Nevada state and local officials, regulators, and staff from public utilities. There is limited space available for others to participate in this trip. Confirmation of participation is required by 1 November. For more information, contact Helen Harrington, Tel: (208) 327-7950, Email: HHARRING@idwr.state.id.us.
  
  
• 10-11 February 2003
  Harvesting Clean Energy Conference III
  Held in partnership with the 8th Annual Idaho Ag Summit
  Boise, ID
  Website (See News & Events)
  
  
• The Idaho Geothermal Energy Working Group Steering Committee met in Boise on 10 October. Topics discussed included national, regional, and state updates as well as subcommittee reports. A copy of the Idaho Geothermal Energy Development Strategic Plan is available in PDF format (794 kb).
  
  
• The Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR) has created a new website: Idaho Geothermal Resources. The website includes information on geothermal's history in the state; direct uses, e.g., recreation, aquaculture, greenhouses, home heating systems, and district heating; geothermal power generation; technical reports and references; an interactive geothermal map; special regulatory information; and information on the Idaho Geothermal Energy Working Group. The website was created initially as part of the State Energy Program Special Project, "Idaho Geothermal Resource Assessment Project" which is partially funded by DOE. For more information, see the IDWR Idaho Geothermal Resources website.
  
  

  Alligators thriving in Idaho Geothermal Water (IDWR Idaho Geothermal Resources website)

  
  
• A map of geothermal resources in Idaho is available as a JPEG file from Idaho National Engineering & Environmental Laboratory (INEEL) website. To view the 887 KB JPEG file, click here. For a hard copy, contact Pat Laney at INEEL, Tel: (208) 526-7468, Email: ptl@inel.gov.
  
  
• The USGS will begin a new assessment of the geothermal potential of the Great Basin in Fiscal Year 2003. The Great Basin covers five states, including southeastern Idaho. For more information, contact Colin Williams of the USGS in Menlo Park, CA, Tel: (650) 329-4881, Email: colin@usgs.gov.
  
  
• According to the South Idaho Press, US Geothermal Inc. plans to reactivate the Raft River geothermal power plant in Cassia County. Doug Glaspey, a company owner, said that the proposed 10 MW power plant is expected to have a $22 million capital investment and produce power for 4-5¢/kWh. Electricity would be sold to Pacific Corp., Idaho Power, or Bonneville Power. Exploration began in the Raft River Known Geothermal Resource Area in 1973. The DOE-funded demonstration project included five production wells, two injection wells and seven monitoring wells. A 5 MW binary power plant operated from 1981 to 1982 when it was sold and moved to another state.
  
  
• Idaho Power customers who generate their own power should have an easier time interconnecting with Idaho Power’s electricity grid as a result of an updated process approved by the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in late August. The PUC approved a procedure that requires generators to pay the cost of connecting to the grid as well as the cost of regular independent inspections of their systems. Generators of 25 kW or less only need to be inspected every three years. For more information, see the Idaho PUC press release.
  
  
• The Harvesting Clean Energy website aims to build awareness of the benefits of renewable energy technologies for rural landowners and communities in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. Developed by Climate Works -- a nonprofit organization based in Olympia, WA -- the site features news and basic information on the use of bioenergy, geothermal energy, photovoltaics, and wind energy.

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Kansas

No news.

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Montana

• The Harvesting Clean Energy website aims to build awareness of the benefits of renewable energy technologies for rural landowners and communities in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. Developed by Climate Works -- a nonprofit organization based in Olympia, WA -- the site features news and basic information on the use of bioenergy, geothermal energy, photovoltaics, and wind energy.

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Nebraska

No news.

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Nevada

• 5 November
  Public Utilities Commission Workshop: Renewable Energy Credit Program
  Carson City, NV
  Notice (PDF file)
  
  
• 8 November
  Public Utilities Commission Hearing: Renewable Energy Credit Program
  Las Vegas, NV
  Notice (PDF file)
  
  The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) is contemplating whether to give more credit for renewable energy generated in Nevada than for renewables purchased elsewhere. The Renewable Energy Credit Trading proposed rules, released for comment, can be found on the Nevada State Office of Energy website. This regulation is being addressed in PUC Docket No. 02-5029. A workshop will be held on Tuesday, 5 November to discuss the proposed regulations regarding the issue of a renewable energy credit program. A hearing will be held on Friday, 8 November.
  
  
• 13-15 November
  International Energy Conference & Exposition
  Reno, NV
  Website
  
  
• Advanced Thermal Systems, Inc., an energy technology and development company, announced on 28 September the signing of an engineering, procurement, and construction contract with GE Oil & Gas, for its new, 40 MW Steamboat IV Kalina Cycle geothermal power plant. The plant will be use the patented Kalina Cycle technology which involves a closed loop ammonia-water "working fluid" that is vaporized by geothermal heat to drive electricity-producing turbine generators. The plant will be operational in early 2005. For more information, contact Ron Burch, Tel: (775) 321-4444, Email: roneburch@advancedthermalsystems.com.
  
  
• Governor Kenny Guinn and Senator Harry Reid announced $3.22 million in awards for renewable energy research and development, e.g., solar energy and geothermal development in late September. Research will be led by the University of Nevada, Las Vegas; the University of Nevada, Reno; and the Desert Research Institute. The grant solicitation was administered by the National Renewable Energy Lab and supported by DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Funding will support nine renewable energy research and development projects. For more information, contact Greg Bortolin in the governor's office, Tel: (775) 684-5670, Email: Bortolin@gov.state.nv.us.
  
  
• BLM announced the winning bids on 16 tracts of geothermal land in north-central Nevada, following a sale held 24 September. Sixty-seven tracts in six KGRAs were offered in the competitive sale. High bids totaled $311,159 for 31,094 acres. Interest in the parcels was high, with four bids received for one of the tracts. One of the tracts bid out at $35 an acre; another at $16 per acre. The tracts are located on three KGRAs in north-central Nevada, including Brady, Dixie Valley, and New York Canyon. For sale results, see the Nevada Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Geothermal website.
  
  Nevada currently has 157 geothermal leases covering 211,300 acres. The BLM has received 188 applications for geothermal leases through its noncompetitive process for geothermal projects over the last two years. Of those, 123 are pending. Altogether, BLM expects to lease 400,000 acres for potential geothermal development.
  

• DOE has selected ORMAT Nevada Inc. to develop and demonstrate EGS techniques at a prospective geothermal site east of the Desert Peak geothermal field in Churchill County. The company will fracture a low permeability zone under the ground to enable production of an estimated 2-5 MW of electricity. If successful, this project could have wide application to other geothermal sites in the Great Basin, because many sites in the west have similar subsurface characteristics. For more information, contact Jay Nathwani, DOE Idaho Operations Office and INEEL, Tel: (208) 526-0239, Email: nathwaj@inel.gov.
  
  
• The US Geological Survey (USGS) will begin a new assessment of the geothermal potential of the Great Basin in Fiscal Year 2003. The Great Basin covers five states, including Nevada. For more information, contact Colin Williams of the USGS in Menlo Park, CA, Tel: (650) 329-4881, Email: colin@usgs.gov.
  
  
• The proceedings of the Dixie Valley Geothermal Workshop which took place in Reno 12-13 June 2002, are available on CD-ROM. The workshop highlighted and discussed DOE-sponsored research on the Dixie Valley geothermal system met and presented the preliminary and final results of their work. Twenty-three speakers made technical presentations. Breakout discussion sessions were held on the following topics: Geotectonics/Geologic Setting, Reservoir Geology, Structure and Analysis, Exploration Technology Applications, and Geochemical Studies. For more information on the meeting, see the Great Basin Center for Geothermal Energy website. To obtain a copy of the Publication No. DOE/ID-11036, see the INEEL Geothermal Program website.
  
  
• The Great Basin Center for Geothermal Energy at the University of Nevada, Reno was created in 2000 to promote geothermal energy and development in the Great Basin of the western United States. In FY2002, with Senator Reid's assistance, the US Congress added $936,000 to DOE's budget for the Center. Over the next few years, the Center's geothermal programs are expected to expand to $2-3 million per year. Through its current DOE grant, the Center has funded seven research projects, and is conducting workshops and web-based information development as part of the GeoPowering the West effort.
  
  
• Nevada will be the third-largest producer of green power in the country by 2012, ranking behind only the larger states of California and Texas, an updated study by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) shows. Senate Bill 372 requires electric utilities to obtain 5% of the power they sell in Nevada from green power sources starting 2003. The percentage increases gradually to 15% by 2015. Prior to the bill becoming law, the UCS ranked Nevada eighth. Nevada gets a large percentage of its renewable power from geothermal sources, primarily in the northern part of the state. For more information, see the UCS renewable energy website.
  
  
  

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New Mexico

• A map of geothermal resources in New Mexico is available as a JPEG file from Idaho National Engineering & Environmental Laboratory (INEEL) website. To view the 1072 KB JPEG file, click here. For a hard copy, contact Pat Laney at INEEL, Tel: (208) 526-7468, Email: ptl@inel.gov.
  
  
• The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (PRC) is considering a renewable portfolio standard that would require utilities to produce 2% of their electricity from renewables by 1 September 2003; 5% by 1 September 2005; and 10% by 1 September 2007. New Mexico utilities --who are pushing for a voluntary standard -- do not believe that the PRC has the authority to make such a ruling and believe that the decision should be made by state lawmakers. The PRC held public hearings on the issue in May and may plan follow on workshops. New Mexico has delayed the effective date of electric utility restructuring to 2006.

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North Dakota

No news.

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Oklahoma

No news.

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Oregon

• 15-17 November
  NW Energy Coalition Fall Board Meeting
  Portland, OR
  Website
  
  
• The Oregon-Washington State Geothermal Working Groups have issued an updated draft strategic plan. The following strategies were developed based on the concerns, issues, needs, and barriers discussed in previous meetings. They are to advance the understanding of the two states' geothermal energy resource, their benefits and cost effective applications; to support the development of a market for geothermal power in the two states; and to support the establishment of policies that promote the development of geothermal energy. Comments are requested by working group members by the second week of November. For more information, email Gordon Bloomquist, or Shannon Kelley.
  
  
• "New Greenhouses in Klamath Falls," by John W. Lund of Geo-Heat Center describes the first of four commercial greenhouses recently put into operation by IFA Nurseries, Inc. to grow tree seedlings. The operation was located in Klamath Falls to take advantage of the geothermal heat available from the city’s district heating system. For more information, see the article in the Geo-Heat Center Quarterly Bulletin (September 2002).
  
  
  IFA Nurseries, Inc. Geothermal Greenhouse
  
  
• A new report, "Regulatory Issues for Direct-Use Geothermal Resource Development in Oregon," edited by Kevin Rafferty, is available in PDF format (~ 6 MB) from the Geo-Heat Center. The 75-page document outlines the regulatory aspects of drilling, using, and disposing of fluids from low-temperature geothermal resources for direct use (non-electric applications) utilizing data compiled from the Oregon Water Resources Department and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. The report can be downloaded from the Geo-Heat Center's Downloadable Papers and Articles website under the heading, "General Papers." To obtain a hardcopy, contact Kevin Rafferty, Tel: (541) 885-1750, Email: raffertk@oit.edu.
  
  
• The USGS will begin a new assessment of the geothermal potential of the Great Basin in Fiscal Year 2003. The Great Basin covers five states, including southeastern Oregon. For more information, contact Colin Williams of the USGS in Menlo Park, CA, Tel: (650) 329-4881, Email: colin@usgs.gov.
  
  
• The Harvesting Clean Energy website aims to build awareness of the benefits of renewable energy technologies for rural landowners and communities in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. Developed by Climate Works -- a nonprofit organization based in Olympia, WA -- the site features news and basic information on the use of bioenergy, geothermal energy, photovoltaics, and wind energy.

South Dakota

• 18 October
  Renewable Energy Roundtable
  Sioux Falls, SD
  
  Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham hosted the "Renewable Energy Roundtable" which addressed the Bush administration's energy policy and the latest developments in renewable power production and biofuels. The meeting featured local representatives from the biofuels industry, the South Dakota Corn Growers Association, the South Dakota Rural Electrical Association, wind energy companies, and renewable energy advocates. Secretary Abraham was joined by Congressman John Thune (R-SD). For more information, see the DOE press release.
  

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Texas

• DOE has selected Southern Methodist University to support geoscience initiatives in EGS and geothermal exploration technology. For more information, contact Jay Nathwani, DOE Idaho Operations Office and INEEL, Tel: (208) 526-0239, Email: nathwaj@inel.gov.

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Utah

• 
  "Geothermal Resources of Utah", compiled by Robert Blackett and Sharon Wakefield of the Utah Geological Survey, is available on CD-ROM. Published in July 2002, the CD-ROM is a digital atlas of the state's geothermal resources. The CD-ROM (Open-file Report 397), along with several other geothermal publications, may be purchased from the Natural Resources Map and Bookstore website. The cost is $24.95.
  
  
• DOE has selected the University of Utah to support geoscience initiatives in EGS and geothermal exploration technology. For more information, contact Jay Nathwani, DOE Idaho Operations Office and INEEL, Tel: (208) 526-0239, Email: nathwaj@inel.gov.
  
  
• The USGS will begin a new assessment of the geothermal potential of the Great Basin in Fiscal Year 2003. The Great Basin covers five states, including western Utah. For more information, contact Colin Williams of the USGS in Menlo Park, CA, Tel: (650) 329-4881, Email: colin@usgs.gov.
  
  
• Twenty-one companies joined together to launch the Utah Coalition for New Energy
  Technologies on 15 October. Like its partner Coalitions in Arizona and Colorado, the Utah Coalition promotes its members and their innovative technologies through outreach programs, policy advocacy, and various other activities. State Director Jessica Lorah leads the Coalition, whose membership ranges from large multinational corporations to small businesses and nonprofit organizations. For more information, see Utah Coalition's website.

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Washington

• The Oregon-Washington State Geothermal Working Groups have issued an updated draft strategic plan. The following strategies were developed based on the concerns, issues, needs, and barriers discussed in previous meetings. They are to advance the understanding of the two states' geothermal energy resource, their benefits and cost effective applications; to support the development of a market for geothermal power in the two states; and to support the establishment of policies that promote the development of geothermal energy. Comments are requested by working group members by the second week of November. For more information, email Gordon Bloomquist, or Shannon Kelley.
  
  
• Governor Gary Locke signed Executive Order 02-03, "Sustainable Practices by State Agencies," on 18 September. The order calls for sustainable environmental practices for all state agencies, requiring them to establish sustainability objectives and prepare a biennial sustainability plan. The order states that agency plans should be guided by a set of long-term goals, including minimizing energy and water use and shifting to "clean energy" for both facilities and vehicles (though the term "clean energy" is left undefined). To help implement the order, it also establishes a Sustainability Coordinator and a Sustainability Advisory Council, which will include representatives from the private sector. For more information, see the governor office's press release.
  
  
• Cowlitz Public Utility District (PUD) has introduced the Renewable Resource Energy Program. The program lets PUD customers support the use of environmentally friendly “green” power by paying a supplemental charge of $2.00 per block of 100 kilowatt-hours of green power, or 2¢/kWh. The additional fee helps support the development of new renewable energy sources in the Pacific Northwest. For more information, see the Cowlitz PUD Renewable Resource Energy program website.
  
  
• Under Grays Harbor PUD's Renewable Resource Option, customers may elect to pay an additional amount to support the use and development of renewable energy resources. For residential customers, the monthly charge is $3.00 per block of 100 kilowatt-hours, or 3¢/kWh. For more information, see the Grays Harbor PUD Renewable Resource Option website.
  
  
• The Harvesting Clean Energy website aims to build awareness of the benefits of renewable energy technologies for rural landowners and communities in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. Developed by Climate Works -- a nonprofit organization based in Olympia, WA -- the site features news and basic information on the use of bioenergy, geothermal energy, photovoltaics, and wind energy.
  

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