Promoting Greater Use of Geothermal Energy in the U.S.

Abstract

It is widely recognized that the U.S. will require new electrical generating capacity in the coming two decades to replace aging plants and provide for continued economic growth. The portion of this market that geothermal energy can capture will depend on the future economics of geothermal development and on the availability of resources. A multifaceted outreach effort is needed to help institutionalize the geothermal option among competing choices utilities' and private developers will have. Individual and corporate members of the geothermal community should take action to: (1) promote changes in public utility regulations to help utilities implement least cost plans with externalities; (2) support better access to electrical transmission by independent power developers; (3) insist on inclusion of renewable energy technologies in federal, state and local programs and plans; (4) support an aggressive federal R&D program; (5) become more active in outreach and generation of public information on geothermal energy; (6) build bridges of common interest to environmental advocacy groups; and (7) support the efforts of those energy advocacy groups who support geothermal energy.