An Explorationist Viewpoint of the High-Temperature Geothermal Potential of the Cascade Range in Oregon

Abstract

The high potential for electrical power generation from geothermal resources in the Cascade Range in Oregon has been repeatedly noted. However, for a variety of geological and institutional reasons the geothermal industry is not committing substantial exploration dollars to this area. Institutional developments over the past decade have severely limited geothermal exploration and recent or continuing institutional restraints are likely to prohibit high temperature development for the next decade or two. Unless lands in Oregon with geothermal potential equal to that in California, Nevada or Utah are made available to industry there will be little exploration in the foreseeable future in the Cascade Rang in Oregon.